Valley Spirit

Instead of a war for the Union it is beginning to be feared that the administration will allow it to degenerate into a war for "contracts" and the "nigger." While a hungry pack, whose name is legion, are after government contracts, another set are using every means to drag the nigger into the strife for no other reason, that we can see, than that the war may be prolonged so that fresh contacts may be forthcoming and time allowed for the old ones to be completed. It does very well for those who are filling their pockets by furnishing army supplies, and in innumerable ways plucking the soldiers and the government, to cry "no peace," but the people who pay the taxes to help on the war are curious to know whether their money is to be expended for the restoration of the Union, or for the benefit of contractors and freedom of the negro? It might be worth while, just at this time when a lack of confidence is begining [sic] to show itself as to the design of the war, for the administration to give the people the fullest assurance that the object of the war is the restoration of the Union and nothing else.

It wants something of this sort to insure a pull all together on the part of the loyal people over the country. We regret to be compelled to say that the Message and Reports of the different departments fail to give this assurance, or establish that degree of confidence necessary to a speedy and successful crushing out of the fell spirit of disunion now so rampant in the South, and likely to rear its head in the North unless abolition receives a rebuke at the hands of the government. Both Gen. SCOTT and Gen. McCLELLAN proclaimed the joyous tidings, a few weeks ago, that the war would be a short one, and the hopes of the nation were raised to the highest pitch of gladness that the unnatural strife was about to terminate. Are we to be disappointed? Is that abomination of all abominations--abolitionism--to be permitted to frustrate the designs of our Generals, upset their predictions, and kindle a new rebellion in the country before the existing one is quelled? If the abolition policy now inaugurated by a part of the Cabinet, and the present Republican Congress, has the effect, as most assuredly it will, or protracting the war, the people upon whom the war debt falls, and by whom it must be paid, will have no difficulty in understanding the cause that keeps it up--where and to whom to attach blame and will not fail to hold them to a fearful accountability. Will the administration let us know in plain words what we are fighting for--is it Sambo or the Union?