RESOLUTIONS. 363

sent, in regard to a policy so unwise and mis-
chievous.

This war is prosecuted by the Nation with
but one object, that, namely, of a restoration of
the Union just as it was when the rebellion
broke out. The rebellious States are to be
brought back to their places in the Union, with-
out change or diminution of their constitutional
rights; in the language of the resolution adopt-
ed by both houses of Congress at its extra ses-
sion in July last, with remarkable unanimity,
thfs war is declared to be prosecuted not in any
spirit of oppression, or for any purposes of con-
quest or subjugation, or purpose of overthrow-
ing or interfering with the rights or establish-
ed institutions of those States, but to defend and
maintain the supremacy of the constitution and
to preserve the Union, with all the dignity,
equality and rights of, the several States unim-
paired, and that, as soon as those objects are ac-
complished, the war ought to cease.

The objects and purposes of the war thus im-
pressively declared, are those alone which the
Nation can rightfully contemplate in its prose-
cution; and the moment the object of the war
changes from a simple restoration of the Union
as known to the constitution, to something else
in conflict with the guarantees of that instru-
ment, from that moment the war itself changes
its character.

The duty of the Government in a great crisis
like the present is a very plain one, it is to pre-
serve, protect and defend the constitution of the
United States; and, thankful as we have reason
to be for our exemption from the devastation and
ruin of civil war, we rely further upon the wis-
dom and firmness of the President, in the dis-
charge of the high and solemn trust committed
to his hands, to resist and rebuke all attempts,
from any and from every quarter, to convert
this war into a crusade against till institution of
domestic slavery as it exists in the Southern
States, under the guarantees of the constitution,
or to take advantage of the troubled condition
of our country, for the gratification of personal
views or seotional prejudices.