1

Which shall it be?

The question that is now presented to Republicans for solution, involves one of two alternatives, either humiliation of those who think as they do, or a struggle which shall determine whether this government has sufficient power to protect its own honor, and maintain its dignity as a power, among the nations of the earth. The issue is not one of our seeking, or making: we accept it, however, as truly presenting the question, over which so much ill feeling has been engendered, by heartless demagogues, and selfish and unprincipled politicians. Democratic leaders present to us various plans of adjustment, such as the Crittenden Compromise, the Kellogg Compromise, the Guthrie Compromise, or the propositions of Cassius M. Clay. It does not appear, however, that either of these will satisfy those men who have stolen the government property and robbed the Federal Mint. The question then occurs, what will satisfy those men? How can their wrath be averted, and we be allowed to entertain cherished principles, and to continue our avocations in peace? The answer comes to us from the lips of traitors, and Democratic leaders — and is found in a single startling word, and that word is — humiliation. Yes, we are required to falsify our professions of devotion to Republican faith; to give up our belief that human slavery is a great social and political evil; and to put into the great charter of human freedom which our fathers made, the admission that slavery is not only right per se, but that it must be afforded all the protection it needs from the Federal government. That being accomplished, Northern humiliation will be complete, the Republican party distracted and divided, the Democratic party will again obtain control of the Government, and all that the secessionists desire accomplished. There cannot be any such humiliation on the part of the North as that demanded by the traitors. If they persist in treason and rebellion they must be treated as traitors and rebels. Let them remember that Mr. Lincoln will soon take an oath to support the Constitution, to protect the Union and maintain the supremacy of the laws. He will observe that oath firmly, fearlessly, and with religious fidelity. He will see to it that the Republic receives no harm during his official career. He will deal with all men justly, requiring that all shall support the Constitution, and obey the laws made to give effect to its provisions. If there be any who shall refuse to do that, the consequences will be with him who is the traitor, rather than with him whose duty it is to punish the treason.

Every proposition that meets with any favor from the rebels involves the utter HUMILIATION of the North, and cannot be accepted. — We care not if there be some who advocate this humiliation; it will avail nothing and cannot restore peace — the people will scout it, even though war, and an attack on Fort Sumter, or Washington were the instant result. If none of these things will bring us peace, then what remains if the Union is to be preserved — but the submission to the Constitution as it is, by those who are in rebellion, or the last alternative of Mr. Seward, to fight for it? We know that the people of the North will not give up the Constitution, as our fathers made it. They remember that it was at the end of a seven years war that our fathers gave us that Constitution, and if they are to give it up now, or FIGHT for its maintenance, they will accept the latter alternative. There will be no humiliation, no base surrender of principles, but there will be such an exhibition of firmness and of manhood on the part of the North, as will give traitors the assurance that this nation, having been free, must be free forever.