It has been prosecuted to save the republic from disruption, and to maintain that constitutional authority without which anarchy is sure to come. It is precisely because we cannot let it alone without ruin that war has been made against it. If we are to give the representative of that platform the executive control of the nation, the object of the war sinks dead into the earth with our dead soldiers. If we are thus to make the war objectless by our default, our anxiety for favorable news of its progress is unspeakably shameless and wicked. Not another trigger should be pulled.
Loyal men have no such thought.
On the contrary, they find greater reason than ever to hold fast to the war to its legitimate end. They see that its object is near consummation. The rebellion which, aims to prostrate, though yet defiant, is plainly staggering. The rebel armies are being decimated, with no possibility of reinforcement. The rebel communications are being broken up, with no possibility of replacement.