Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1862-12-19

derers, whose deeds deoy them to be either
brave men even civilized human beings. and
the echoes OF whose crime whl draw forth the
execrations Of mankind.
Peace.
1t Is stated (says the Richmond Whig) in
1ankee papers, that Ex-senator Biger, OF
Pennsylvania, has written letter proposing
g plan OF peace we have not seen it or even
any hint as 10 the terms he suggests. but as we
suppose he vas i'll earnest and meant to submit
something practical, we~are forced to conclude
that he advlsas the North 10 abandon the war
and let the South alone. Nothing less than
this would be practical or have the appearance
OF being ia earnest. With his appreciation of
the merits ofthe controversy, and his kuowl .
edge he can have 30 doubt, that so long as the
North continues to make war, the South will
continue 20 make resistance, and there can, con
sequently, be no peace. The first step towards
paefcaton can come only from the North, and
it must be suspenton OF hostlllties, paeifica.
tion can then BE completed by making the sus.
penslon permanent. Tais is inevitable from
the character Of the war itself; they invade,
we resist, they assail, we defend they seek to
suhJugate, we to MAINTAIN our liberty. They
must cease TO invade, to assail, and to attempt
co suhlugate, for we cannot cease to resist and
to Mr.. B4gler; and when he talks about peace,
he talks idly and inslncerely, unless he calls on
theNorth to stop making war the South
Inis is all we ask, CT have ever asked. In the
long controversy that preceded and brought on
tbe war, the cry of the South was always 'slet
alone" Aggression was from the beginning,
Northern policy They sought by every possi-
bic art of legislation, by all the Influence OF
popular commotion, by stealing slaves or
tamperng with their fidelity, and through every
means by which they might render the posses
ion of such propert. insecure and dangerous, to
destroy the value of the institution and to COM
pei US against our wishes, our rights and our
interests, to give it up. We protested and de.
precated aud implored. If we attempted leg
sIation, it was only to repair some wrong Vt
theirs, or guard against some impending dan
ger. We acted always on the defensive, and
with patience and forbearance that were but
little less than pusilanmity. But moth ing
could make them pause.
Alter years Of outrage and endurance, finally
despairing of any reformation, we resolved
that, as We could not enjoy our rights in the
Union, We would separate and this we pro-
posed to do peacaoIy, with intention of
taking or claiming any thing that did no be-
long to Us willing, indeed, to reIinqush moet
that did belong to US, aud to have an equitable
reckoning with our late partners. upon all
questions of property that were inevitable
from the act of separation. 10 this painful
but unavoidable step, again besought them
to les as al one, to let us go in peace. But
they would not. Their infatuation and rage
broke forth with redoubled fury, and the pre-
clpitated war upon us. 1t is sheer nonsense,
even too contemplate for quibbIe, to talk
about our having begun the war, because we
fred the first gun. The fact is, they had been
pressing US back for thirty years. When we
reached the wall, and could go no farther, we
struck. 1t was a blow Of sef-defence. Every
blow that has been stricken snce has been
prompted by the same impulse We fight
because we are unwilling to be overrun, plum
dered and easlaved We will contnne to fight
as we cao lift as an arm. The simple question
then for Mr. Bigler and the North efn people
to consider, is whether they will cease to make
war upon u.s.. When they have determined on
this, the formal stipulations of peace can be
easily arranged. Until they have SO resolve
they will get no hearing from rs for anything
they have to propose. OF this they may feel
assured.
Vicksburg is girdng Up her lons and prepar-
ing fresh defences to meet renewed and more
tor n1idable attacks w trust that she will in
F,,tt1r si.a hHf n0SltfOa