Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1861-07-19
shall we Compronlser

-
shall we Compromised
There are givings out in certain quarters
that an effort at compromise will be renew
ed early in the July session of Congress
This is natural War is a great evil. No
nation can prefer it on IFS own account,
much less our nation. Reared for the most
part amid the pensions Of peace, and devot-
ed to peaceful ayocations, we cannot look
upon war in any other light than that of a
great calimity. 1t is no marval that the
immense outlay of means required for the
prosecution of war, the prostration of busi-
ness in all departments of trade and CON-
merce, the possibility Of a protracted strug-
gle in which thousands of lives must be
sacrificed, the wasted and crippled condi-
ton of the country when all is over, with
the possibility, even then, that exaspera-
tions will remain which will bar a happy
continuance of the Union, should suggest to
all minds the desirableuess of some kind of
adjustment as speedily as may be. Our
heart sickens at the prospect of the great
battle which seems imminent, in which
both sides, if true to their avowed convic-
tions and heroic antecedents, must incur
immense loss. This is to be followed by
other engagements no less destructive, il
the policy Of the Government be success
fully carried out.
There is not true heart in the nation
that would not hail with shoutings and
weepiDgs of gratitude an honorable peace
From every hearthstone of the land would
ascend songs of rejoicing, as the telegraph
should wing the tidings from city to city
and from hamlet to hamlet. And this il
no new impulse, having its birth in terror
or disaffection. There has been no day
since this unhappy trouble began when il
has not been true. Every pulpit has prayed
for it; the most belligerent press has 10.
voked it; each soldier of the Rebublic that
has sprung to arms would have rejoiced in
it; the Government itself would, at any
moment have proclaimed thanksgiving for
it. The war has never been a preference.
Nothing short of an absolute necessity could
have made it possibility, so much did the
nation prefer peace. The Government did
not desire to waste her own treasure, mur-
der her own sons, dishonor herself among
the nations, dismember herself, that she
should go to war. The North had nc
grudge against the South, that she should
pour out millions of treasurers and lives tc
satiate her thirst for blood. Nothing o
the kind.
The land was at peace. The Govern
ment was pursuing its normal and honor
able course. Never within its history hat
it been more prosperous and happy. Ii
its entire borders the people were dwelling
in security, unmolested, each following hi
own way. No home was invaded, no righ
interfered With, no privilege impaired, ne
burdens imposed. The sun in all its cir
cult shone upon no people so benignly gov
erned; none making such rapid strides o
progress in wealth and culture. The work
looked on with astonishment and admira
ton. War, and especially war among
ourselves was the last thing thought Of.
Under these circumstances rebellion arose
States renounced their allegiance, set up
Government for themselves, seized the pub
lie property, levied armies, and at the poin
of the sword demanded that their indepen,
dence should be acknowledged-this upon
the plea that the Government from which
tnCJ IONOiJCQ was uO 0ONOIutuSutg uhQ O1
sovereign powers, but was mere compact
dissoluble at the option of any disaffeeted
party. The plan of the rebellion including
the withdrawment of all the slaveholdiuo
States, and their erection into a Qreai
slave power. The capital Of the nation
located within the proposed seeding terri
tory, was TO be appropriated as the seat o.
government Of the new empire. The off
cers Of the existing government were to be
captured and held as prisoners of war, MUIR
dered OF bsnished. So far the programe
was plan, openly announced. What more
can only be imagined. Within the seced.
ing district were many loyal men, amount
ing in some States to large maiorisies; thew
were to be coerced into the measure by
their positions, and the influence Of an ar.
rogant aristocrcay of wealth. The Iowa
free States, comprising two-thirds of the
whole population OF the country, was to b,
insulted and trampled upon, and the who'll
land reduced to anarchy.
War Of course was inevitable. Reluc
family the Government was compelled b
draw the sword. The issue was plain-th,
rebellion must be put down, or the Govern
ment become extinct This was the issut
then--it is tho issue to-day.
However bad war is, and however ardent
ly we may long for peace, is compromise
now possiblei There are but two ways
one or the other party must wholly aban
don its ground, or the question must be set
tied by the stern and inexorable arbitramenl
Of the sword. There is no middle way
Can the Government yieldl Would It be
ighti Would it be sAfsi Would it Be