The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-02-27

countries will happen again here. End the mass of
the people speedily aud juyfuly return 70 their al
egianee soon She military force Of the rsbsls
Il broken, and society Is allowed % rstorn 70 its
Ordinary condition"
Were this otherwise. my position would
not be changed. | hold that in no view
will we be authorized IN closing this con.
test until the complete restoration Of the
Government shall be effected unt,i the In
hercnt strength and vigUr Of republican in
situtions. already tested more fearfully than
any other form has ever endured, shall be
fully demonstrated and until American
citizenship shall be impartially protected
over every foot Of the territory oi the Union
Costly, Gripping. and dcmoralizng as this
war has been or may be, it is worth much
to have had the true theory Of the powers
OF our Government settled upon immcyable
foundat ons; to have had all vicious and
emasculaung theories crushed out. and the
conclusive proof OF its ability to Withstand
MS well inward trcachery as outward attack,
deep craven by heavy-handed conflict. in
lines unmistskable aud inrrad,rablc. Sir,
If in this struggle the seductive sophisms,
which have obscured the intellect and drugg-
ed the conscience of the victims Of secess-
ion shall sink with their authors 70 dis
honored graves, from which there shall be
no resurrection, let us rejoice in the just
retributiUn which relieves the pcoplu of so
potent elements Of mischief, and the Govern
ment Of elements Of weakness, which were
fast making it the plaything Of faction, and
exposing it to the contemptucus disregard
of the powers Of the world. ....
The immediate problem is the preserve.
ton of our territorial unity, though the
contest really involves the nations life.
~. Il. 1
homo and the results of conflict have
been discussed and foroshadowed accord
ing to the varying positions, principles, pre-
possessions, and prcjudices of the speakers.
Even Earl Russcll's imperfect description
of the contest as by the North for empire,
and the South for independence, though
expressed in the language of diplomatic in
direction, involves the great truth that the
struggle is for national existence. such as
no nation has wholly escaped, and as Eng
land, in dark hours and with heroic torti-
tnde and energy, waged against continent
in arms. We will wage this war while
there is o patriot to strike, or q foe to fall.
We will, ut every sacrifice, maintain our
national unity, territorial integrity, and
undivided sovereignty. To lose either
would be to invite dishonor and complica-
tious numberless and fearful to yield every
glorious tradition, hope and duty; to
strengthen dcspotisin, and cover ourselves
with leproach, and posterity with woe. To
avert these calamitics, which would be
inevitable, and others which can not be an
ticipated, aud to preserve untarnshed and
unframed, as it passes through the fiery
furnace of trial, that splendid organization
of civil, social and political blessings, which
our fathers, eighty years ago created and
fashioned adopted and transmitted, a legacy
Of priceless value and peerless beauty are
the holy and overmastcring duties devolv-
ing, under God, upon the Executive, US leg
islators. and the brave thousands in arms,
all aided and sustained by the firm fidelity
of the loyal citizens of the nation Sir this
work Will be attended hy startling events,
whose s'rangcncss will be lost i'll their deep
Significance. 1t will involve sacrifices,
and suffering. 1t viii prevent difficulties
which patient courage can alone surmount.
| 1t Will demand the ex, rcise of every high
and rare and manly virtue. But this fair
inheritance shall be saved from disjointure
or demolition, and this people, rising to the
stature Of true her,ism W II inscribe their
name in characters Of blood, upon the
eternal tablets of history. as tn brave and
! devoted and successful defenders of repu-
blican constitutional government.