Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-04-11
Come to the Point:

OOuAC ~ sAAO = Vsssss
II there be any pointon which the opinion
of the American people may be said to be
substantially unanimous, it is that of i'm
patience with the present state of uncer-
tainty and anarchy, and desire that it
should be brought to an end at the earli-
est day. Hence the obvious dissatisfac-
tion with the present attitude of the Feder-
al Administrations discomfort which
does not imply a belief that the President
and his Cabinet are taking, doing or med
itating a wrong step, but only that they
still consider when they should already
have decided, and pause when they ought
to act. We do not say that this is right
or wise-we simply chronicle an obvious
fact The country, with scarcely show of
dissent, cries out-Ifwe are to fight, so be
it; if we are to have peace so much the bet
ter; if the Union can be preserved or re-
stored, good but if il cannot be, let us uu-
derstand the fact and acquiesce in it. At
all events let this intolerable suspense and
uncertainty cease!
Sympalihsing fully with this view, we
cannot but regard with dislike the political
maneuvers diguifed as Virginia PROPOSE
tious, Border State Conventions and the
like. They have two incurable faults !:
They tend 10 protract the present anarchy !;
and they will lead to nothing. They will
simply serve to keep the country convulsed
and in suspense for year or two; and then
they will leave us just where they found us,
with the struggle still before US long after
it should have been dead and buried. To
Industry and Business, nothing could be
more disastrous.
The issue is already made up, and can
not be changed. The new Confederate
Constitution and the old Federal Constitu-
tion must be the rallying-points of the
contending hosts. There is no true mid
die ground between them, and years of fur
ther agitation will fail to discover any
Every authentic utterance from Montgom-
cry scouts the idea of reconstruction on any
other basis then that of jeff. Davis Oligar-
chy. We, who recognize and obey the
Government at Washington, stand by the
Constitution as it is, and the Government
as our fathers made it. The only practical
alternative is the Cotton Republic founded
as its president has so clearly set
forth-on radically adAerse ideas, and look
ing to the perpetuation and diffusion of
Slavery and Caste as the only true, natural,
enduring basis of Civilization. Those who
do not stand with US are at heart with the
subjects of jeff. Davis, and will be there in
profession and act in the hour of trisl.
"What, will you concede nothing to save
Tor restore) the Union 2" We are asked
We answer, You must prove that some
sort of possible concession viU save the
Union before you have right to put that
question. Thus far, there has been no
shadow ofproof afforded that the Seces-
sionists would be induced to forego their
treason by any concession which even you
dare propose to US, You talk of the Crit
tenden Compromise-which involves the
distinct repudiation of Republieapism-
but no Secessionist of the least consequence
has offered 10 accept even that as solu-
tion of our National troubles. On the con-
trary the nullifers demand an express re-
cognition of the right to carry slavery into
every Territory; and not only that, but in
to every State also. They will be satisfied
with nothing less than the complete nation
alization of Slavery; and when we concede
that, we virtually confess that Abraham
Lincoln ought to clear out from Washing
ton and let jeff. Davis be installed in his
stead. . >-4 "t'
If the disaffected States even the so
called Border States-will clearly indicate
their willingness to be satisfied with the
constitutional Amendment recently initia-
ted by Congress-that which guards the
Slave States, whether they be many or few,
against any interference with their domes-
tic Institutions by Congress-we will zeal
ously and faithfully commend that PROPOSE
tion to the acceptance of Republicans. Ii
they prefer the calling of a National Con-
vention, with powers limited only by the
right of revision by the People, we will 60
heartily for that. But until we have some
assurance that one of these measures will
be accepted as satisfactory by at least the
Border States, we cannot urge its adoption.
To any reasonable concession, not inconsis-
tent with our principles, we will assent,
provided it is to be accepted as sufficient;
but to ady concession whatever-even the
most trivial-that is to be regarded but as
an entering wedge to new demands and ex
actions, we are infexibly adverse, The sa-
cred injunction against casting pearls be.
fore swine clearly forbids it.
We can see how the wrecksof old parties
now fusing into common attitude of sym
pathy and tacit alliance with the Secession.
lists should find a present account in play.
ing vaguely on that harp of thousand
strings, Concession, Compromise, Concilia'
ton. They may win some local advanta-
ges on it, but these advantages must ulti
mately prove their ruin. The moment
they gain power by such means, the false.
hood Of their position is exposed. They
must now propose specific measures with
ability to carry them; and, doing thus, they
are confronted by the fact that the Cotton
Oligarchy do not accept their proposals,
but spurn them. They will thus have hu.
inflated the North yet not concilated the
South, and are now at the end of theil
rope. Their impotence and quackery will
stand confessed, and the resulting verdict
against him must be final.
Again wo say, Let the Administration,