Dayton Daily Empire

A Damaging Admission.

An Abolition paper brings forward the words of Crittenden to shield its party from the high crimes against the Constitution with which it stands charged. It says: "Crittenden admitted the encroachments made upon the Constitution; but they, he said, 'were minor evils compared with the destruction of the Government, and, after the war, could be remedied.' It was, he declared, 'the duty of freemen first to save the country from the uplifted sword, and then save the Constitution." This is a damaging admission to the Abolitionists. It is an admission that they, under the pretence of putting down rebellion, have themselves been traitors to their Constitutional obligations: and advises that we put down the first rebellion and take our chances, after that is done, of restoring the Constitution by overthrowing the Abolitionists. In other words that it is the duty of freemen, when their liberties and territorial dominion are both in jeopardy, to fight for territory first and run the risk of winning back their liberties afterwards. There may possibly be a chance for a difference of opinion upon this subject. Territory may be obtained by negotiation and purchase, but liberties once voluntarily surrendered were never recovered but by blood.