The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1862-10-01
From the Washington Republican, Sept. IL.
NO separation views Of Hon.
T. M. Ashley, Of Ohio.

We are not little -niprlseu 10 sec o'0'o"
10 the Toledo BLADE, .hl. the Hon. James N.
Ashley was 10 favor Of such division Of the
Union as that contended for by the rebels, to
wit "0f dividing on Mason and DiSoni line
oy ofietting tie Cotton States 90. Our familiarity
with Mr.. Ashley's opinions as well in as out Of
Congress enables us to state that we never
heard him give uttersuce TO any such sentiment,
but on the contrary he has ever been earnestly
opposed TO such policy and in favor Of the
complete and full restoration of the Union by
force. In confirmation of this opinion we pub
lish below, an extract from a speech prepared
by Mr.. Ashley to be delivered upon convenient
opportunity in Congress, but which was not
done by reason of the constant preoccupaton Of
the House. This speech designed TO be histori-
leo political document for general circulation,
was placed in the hands of former partner Of
this paper to be printed. 1t was put IN typ
and corrected. Since the above charge came
to our notice. we have had the curiosity 20 look
up the old proof sheets, and from them, among
many other proofs, select the following hs en-
tirely conclusive of the only position which Mr..
Ashley has ever occupied on the subject Of
"letting the cotton States CO."
"But compromise, even with all It's attendant
evils, would not be more fatal than separation.
Either would produce national death. Ifthe
independence Of the Southern Confederacy we're
acknowledged by this Government, ard tn Gov
ernment OF Europe, the causes of our present
troubles would onty be aggravated and iucreas-
ed. Nothing is clearer to my mind than that
dissolution of this Union would produce the
downfall of American liberty. Separation
would invite foreign Intervention in all our
local quarrels; domestic and foreign wars would
follow the establishment of independent govern
meuts, and military despotsm would end the
contest. l know that at the commencement
many were willing to let the cotton States 70
rather than incur the cost ia blood and treasure
incident to all civil wars Doubtless there are
a few who would now consent to separation.
But whatever others may do will never con-
sent to the establishment Of proslavery confed.
racy or to the surrender Of one foot Of our nation
al territory for the establishment of another
hostile government on this continent Happi-
ly for the future Of the nation this policy was
what would have peen the consequence TO the
nation had it prevailed.
The border States would have demanded guar
rantees asa condition for remaining in the
Union, which failing to obtain they would have
taken advantage of our recognition Of the right
of secession to make the failure the pretext for
joining the new government. In this act of
practical rebellion, they would have involved
US in war at homo and abroad. separation
of all he slave from the Northern States would
inevitably have followed. IL would then be
necessary to maintain fortfcaton and stand
ing armies, at runous expense along the South
ern bonudry. The Southern Confedracy would
require new territory ior its surplus slave popu-
lation. The North would resist the demand to
prevent the spread of slavery. A treaty for the
rendition of slaves would be demanded and re-
fused. Bitter hatred developing itself in fire.
queut wars and constant collisions, growing
implacsbility, and conquest and subjugstion
would supersede the happiness and prosperity
which hitherto have characterized this great
people"
1t is possible that this charge against General
Ashley is designed to favor the election OF his
opponent. If SO, it deserves the unqualified
condemnation of his constituents. No district
in the country has had more faithful Repre-
sentative, and there are few public men in the
nation whose absence from the national councils
at this time would be more severely ielt by the
true Union party. He is one of the faw men
who is always at his post, always reliable and
ready to stand or fall by his principlel lie h.
position in the House, of which suy youD,
member ought to be proud. He has voted for
every measure asked for by the President or
any department. of the government; we speak
ddviSedly when we say that the Admisrntion
feels hat it could lose no more earnest support
ter from the House, and that, if he is defeated
it must be by unwise dissensions and divisions
among the prolossed friends of the GovernmeL;.
as a district which could twice in ordinary party
times return so true an anti-savery mal tc
Congress, certainly in such an hour as the pres
ent would again return him, but for p..sisan
strife