Peter Schell - Political On The War

POLITICAL ON THE WARR BY PETER SCHELL.

An 1860’s manuscript document concerning the Civil War, the Constitution, Treason, etc.

Review of the aspects of the former and present Warrs engaged in by the American people.

In the war of the Revolution, when our Patriotic forefathers fought, and many bleed, and died upon the field of battle for our liberty, & Country while there were some oposed to the war, and acted the part of spies and traitors against the country. They were called “tories” and give aid and comfort to the Enemy. In the last War with the British, and their merciless Allyes the Indians, there were those that give aid and Comfort to the enemy and Called the war an Unjust War, and Cryed out for peace, and rejoysed in a defeat of the American armey, these were then consitered to be treators to the Country by all loyal Citizens.

When the American Government got in a war with Mexico, and when the American Army was marching to Mexico, we had those amongs us who wished our soldiers to be accomodated with Bloody heads and Mexican Graves, and rejoysed at the defeat of their Bretheran, and crayed out for peace. These were looked upon as Enimis of the Country by the dimocratic party then in power – and that justly too.

We now come to look at the affairs of the present unfortunate war the Country is now ingaged in Between the people of the north and the people of the South. It is not necessery here to state the causes of this War they are well known, and considered Justifyable by many, and unjustifiable by some. When the whole people of the Union injoyed peace, prosperity, and every thing plenty. An Election for President took place, a Republican President was Elected in due form of law to this event the Democratic party aided by deviding for two Candidates, J. C. Breckenridge and Duglis, thus increasing the merority for Lincoln. Of this event the people of the south took an occation to Rebel and secete, and withdraw from the Union, and set up a government for theselves, and to effect this they impotently demented of both President Bachannan and Lincoln, to give up the united States forts in the south, and acknowlage the South Seceated States as an Indepentent nation. This the Presidents could not, and would no do – The Secetionist then commenced to carry out their plan by Threds, on the Capital of the Union, took possession of the United States Mint, Customs houses, Post Offices, Ships, harbers, and Forts belonging to the U. States. Raised an Army and Boombarted fourt Sumpter, and took major Anderson and his small starved campment prisoners of war.

President Lincoln then commenced to do his duties as the Executive and called on the States to furnish a Certain number of Volenteers for three month to defent the Capital, the Constitution and the Union, and to inforse the Laws. In the mean time the secessetionist Increased their Army and defences and threds. The President then Called out a stonger force for three years or to the end of the war to Chrush rebellen, and to inforse the laws.

The war has now come to a Serious point, and both the north and south are prepairing on a large scale of war – many lives have alredy been Secrifised on both sides, and many more will be lost. Unless an Honorable peace can son be effected, Of which there is not much prospect. The people of the north are derected in Openion, som Cry out for wars while another party Cry for peace. Whilst another party differ in opinion to save the Union, Constitution, and Country, som of them are for Saving them by force, while others expect to save the Union and the Country by holding on to the northern part, while the rebels are Stealing and runing away with the southern part, and when the President attempts to Stop the rebles with their spoils by force, the Cry will be raised by some that it is done unconstitutional , and wen the treaters swarm around the Capital and other places and committing all kinds of treasonable acts on the safety of the government and the President is compelled to have some of arrested and Inprisoned for the safety of the Union, and finds it necessary to support the writ of Habes Corpis in order to keep them there. In the eyes of some of these Constitution savers, it is all rong it is unconstitutional. No matter how much such rebels violate the Constitution it is all right for them to do so – a dangerous desease always require a promt treatment.

And there is no doubt in case the President take a more Milder plan to deal with those Rebels, (and take General Buttlers plan) and sent an army of old women with Broomsticks in their hands against the Rebels. There would be another Cry that such Warfare was not Constitutional, while others seem to be delighted when they hear of som mishap of our Army and seems to stagger thier understanding very much to believe any news, in favor of the northern Army while thousands of Good Loyal Democrats with others are redy and willing to offer up their lifes Blood for the Country, while these Constitution preservers Stay Snugly at home and find fault. Oh shame on such Union Savers. In former wars such conduct would have been called Treason and disloyal. It may now be looked upon as giving aid and comfort to the Rebels by those who may choose to place themselves in a rong position.

4 pages, great content, very legible and in very fine condition.