Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1862-03-08
ny HORACE GREELEY.

The stirring events of the last few weeks
leave no room for The doubt of the complete
restoration Of the Uuion. In all human
probability, the war need not last sixty days
longer even with average bad manage.
meni, faithcssness, insincertity, and inef.
iciency, the next Fourth of July must find
Us reunited, at peace, and Submissive to the
Constitution and laws. A rebellion which
has, within few weeks, experienced such
q succession Of disasters as those of Mill
Spring, Fort Henry, and Fort Donelson,
can hardly hope again to make head az ainst
its victorious adyersarcs. The net losses
of the rebels in these recent conflicts can
not fall below 80 600 men, of whom fully
| 20, 600 have been taken prisoners, with not
less ihun 100 cannon, 10000 small arms,
and great quantities of munitions. The
material expended by the Confederates in
these collisions, or lost by reason Of their
defeats and fights, cannot have cost them
less than ten millions of dollars, while such
officers as q J, Wise arc not readily re.
| placed. But the moral effect of these de-.
feats is even more important than the ma
terial losses. Kentucky and Missouri are
confirmed to the Union. Tennessee is pal.
pably shaken, and would to-day give a
majority for the Union il fair election
could be held. Virginia shows palpable
evidence of weariness Of the war, aud of
growing boldness on the part Of her long
silent and desponding UnioniSts. What.
ever visitations of Divine chastisement NAV
yet be in store for us, there is to day good
ground for the prevalent conviction that a
few weeks will see the last of this most un.
natural and atrocous rebtl liion.
And what then
Are We 10 have fresh Compromise
whereby Slavery shall secure a fresh lea e
not only Of life but of power?
Is il to be agreed that the rebellion was
only an innocent mistake-ihat the South
dislrusted and dreaded the North because
Of Mr.. Lincoln's election, and supposng
the latter tostile TO slavery flew to arms
in defence of her beloved institution : but
that after the squandering Of One Hundred
Thousand lives and One Thousand Million
Dollars, she has become convinced that she
was mistaken, aud that the new admins.
tration is not ouidone by any predecessor
in It's devotion to Manstealing (?
Are We to have one of those old fashion.
cd settlements wherein the strong reconcil
ed their conflicting claims by despoiling
the weak to the extent necessary to the
qualification Of their mutual greed?
Are we to have the Union restored OF
the expense Of Liberty, Justice, and Hu.
manity 7
Are we to sell the Right for customer.
and cOtIonY
The answers to be given to these ques
tions deeply concern the good name and
future well being Of our country. Let us
consider.
For nearly year past, the American
Republic has seemed TO most outsiders IN
the agones of dissolution. Her industry
has been paralyzed, her trade interrupted
her prosperity oyerthrown. For nearly a
year, she has been pouring out treasure and
blood 10 unprecedented profusion to vind
cate her integrity and retain her place
among the nations. Her people have all
but universally suffered anxiety humiliation
and loss. For months, they seemed on the
brink of war with the greatest Naval pow
er Of Europe-possibly with the greatest
Military power also. Aud, two month";
ago, II seemed TO most men that psinfu
years aud enormous sacrifices would yet b
required to put her domestic foes under he
feet
Who is the chief OF these enemies 7 VIII.
is II that the people Of this country ar
lnow warning upon each other, and man.
Of them firing upon that flag that was s
, lately the pride and glory Of US all
Who does not know that the one caus
. Of dissention, dsioyalty, and hatred anon
: us is human siaveyyl that but for this, u
thousand men could have been rallied !
any part of this broad country to make wa
!. on the American Union
. Who does not realize that were SLAYER
abolished tomorrow, there would be no J,
/. naming reason for conflict among US, an
v no desire TO protract the existing struggle
Who knows man ou this broad contiI