Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-07-02

would DO this in the spirit of Cancellation, OF for
gveness, Of tolerance of Brotherhood, and kinelv
feeling it IS my conviction that before the close OF
this eventful session the preliminaries of peace
would be arranged. But while, with the obstinacy
of blind fanatic, and the instinct of brutal glad
istor the first object is to promnlgte party creed,
and the second to crush an opponent and wear the
badge of victory, see no fairer prospect than, at
some distant PERIOD reached through seas OF Diooa
and heaps of carnage, the forced SUBMISSION OF
crushed and devasted section and the equally un-
happy spectacle of government triumphant, OUT
:. exhausted by its triumph, detested by moety OF
those sovereignties that gave it BIRTH and gazing
with horror and remorse upon the desolation II mas
wrought
Sir, it is not my intention to vent reproachcs even
where believe them best deserved | have risen
to enter my protest against the discussion, in this
Chamber, Of any anti.savery scheme whatever at
this crisis, and to offer an earnest appeal TO TINS
Congress that its legislation shall embrace every
means of securing an immediate peace H. as the
government claims, the Confederate cause is nope
less the leaders of the secession movement cahno,
he IGNORANT Of the fact. and knowing it. they will
! be naturally inclined to lend willing ear to what
ever nroner overtures this government may present
At some neriod of this struggle there must be ne
battalion it must DC rcsorted to, sooner or later ;
| why not now!
Is it because pride forbids that we should be the
frSttO
forclend that thousands of human lives and coun-
trys welfare should depend upon so false principle
Is it because the South has not been sufficiently
punished humhlcd and subdued? Then let us con
eSs that chaSsemcnt and vengeance are the Objects
of this war, Is it because the anti-sfavery move
ment has not vet received a sufficient Impetus! Ii
So go tell it to the armies that have won your VIC
tories Make abolition the war cry. Place banner
with that device in the vanguard, and lure those ar
With If
soldiers would rend the treacherons ensign into
sbreds and would march to their homes with the
same alacrity that they pushed on with it to the
battle field.
What, then, is the cause that wlthholds rAgotia-
ton? You will not parlev with armed treason
But YOU have parlcyed with armed treason, 1t that
be the word parleyed foE the mere convenience oil
an exchange of prisoners and other purposes to
mitigate the grievances of war. 1t was your duty
so to do. And shall you not DO so to'accomplsh all
that your troops are fighting for-the re-construc
ton of the Union?
Let us suppose that the South is anxious to em-
brace an opportunity OF return, and Is Withheld
from making advances by doubts as to the lnten-
tons of the North. Is it not right that We should
confer with them that those doubts may he re-
moved?
What do the people care for such miserable pune
tos in the hour of nations agony? Sir, an hon
without further hloodShed. This Congress knows
that it is so. and VIXEN the people shall realize that
it is only the infamous design to strengthen the
antSlavery movement that prevents an effort to o.
tain that peace woe to the chiefs OF the Abolition
party in the land.
But, enough of them. Words are thrown away
upon their stubborn lanaticism. appeal with bet
ter hope to the loftier feelings that should pervade
humanity, and especially pervade this august as
! ,i,o 6 a}
functions be far removed from the miserable ainb
ton OF reducing section of our common country
to the extreme, and therefore dan 5crous condition
OF despair.
Sir, there may be fascination in The CORY mag
niticence of war. There nay be craving for mar
shall gloricS in the hearts Of men. and an instruct
of triumph which share in common with the
brute creation. But if there can be a time
when more Christian impulse should possess our
souls, 1t is now now, when the triumph and con-
seriousness OF strength give us the noble privilege OF
extending the hand of reconciliation without fear
of degradation, of self reproach for cowardice.-
If adversely has been our excuse for sternnesS, let
success be our plea for nagnan!lnltE. Providence
has placed within the reach of the North greater
triumph than countless armed ls-ionS could con.
quer; the triumph of subdnins brave enemy with
generous aud mcrciful policy, that will dsarm
sentiment and rckndle the Old brothcrly iiamc that
'
they are cur brothers, Sir, and some soltening of
the stern Roman yigor which our rulers assumed is
due to that brotherhood, which. by untnely sever
ity, may be cancelled now forever. There are gen.
temen who will say that the South must be sub
dued; that every armed Southcrner must throw;
down his weapon and she for mercy.
Should freeman ask so much of his brother
freeman? Would they be WORTH Of companionship
in our fraternity, being reclaimed at such sacrifice
of manly feengg What would you have them do
Wouhl you have them crouch and cringc and straw
their heads with ashes and kneel at your gates for
re admission? They Americans, Sir, and will
not do it! No. though Roanoke AMI Fort Henry
and Fort DoDelson should e enacted from day
to day through the lapse of bloody years, they will
not 10 it! Give them some chance for an honora
Die return, you will wipe out every chance, and
hetw sections will be twain forever. Yes Sir you
may link them to each other with chains, and pin
their deStnes together with bayones. but at heart
they will be twain forever. They are the children
of the same heroic stock, the joint nhertors with
ourselves of the precious legacy Of freedom; and it
seems sacrilege and insult to the memories OF
the past that so many, Sir, should 81, in your pres
ence here to-day to goad them on to desperate re-
slstance, and SO few-alas so very few-to mediate
and restrain
Of those few thank my God that am one
am proud to proclaim it here beneath the dome OF
the Capitol. | shall proclaim it, here and every
where, until the wings of peace shall be once more
folded over the bleeding bosom of my country. l
shall proclaim it aloud and honestly, although to do
SO would make me the next victim Of this cruel
strife.
Sir, 1t may be said that speak OF peace, while
Its attainment, without further recourse to arms
remains impossible But do not believe it impos-
slbe. What effort has been made? What door has
been opened through which the passions and ILL
feelings OF the contestants might pass oa. and reason
enter? None. The single idea has been forced
| upon the people that the sword, and the sword
alone, must decide the ISSUE 1t has been pro-
nouneed treason to hold opposite position. Sir.
TO have but little faith in the efficacy of the sword
joining severed friendships, if to earnestly desire
peace and to deprecae the horrors of war; be trea-
son, then am | traitor and am prouder of such
reason than others have the right to be, of their
'"1olct'se, flaming and pretentous patriotism. .
con]ure this Congress-, in the name of our suf-
.e;ns coqntry.in the name of wives that may be
WIDOWS OF children that may be orphans, in the