Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1863-04-16
FAYETTEVILLE, TENN THURSDAY, APRIL I6, 1868.

Dut } cannOS conceive nappy, pros
porous, and republican union, cemer
ted by blood, remoulded in repue
nance. and prolonged by the submit.
sion of the weak to the dictation o
, the strong.
J In my view, therefore, this war
nominally for the Union, has acluaIl
been waged against it. With tia
belief, rather than prolong it, | woul'
concede separation as the means Of
an ultimate reunion upon such prin
ciples as true republican shoult
entertain. Animosities have beer
engendered, and conflicting principles
have been developed by hostilities te
an extent that renders reunion in
the present state Of feeling an even,
10 shrink from as unnatural. Those
conflicting principles may be recon
ciled when the smoke of battle shall
have passed away, but surely not IN.
til then. When every concilialory
measure shall have been resorted to
in vain; when negotiation shall have
been exhausted; when the purpose of
the Southern people to abstain from
political companioDsbip with US shall
have been demonstrated as fixed and
irrevocabie, and not the passionate
resolve of heated blood, then, as
necessity useless to struggle against,
| shall not only counsel, shall urge
a aseparation.
Sir, | appreciate the extent of
this Governments military resources,
l acknowledge its wonderful strength
in ships, men, and munitions. Had
we a foreign foe TO grapple With, one.
half the battles we have waged against
the South would have decided the
issue to our triumph. No earthly
power could resist our magnificent
of war, directed in a cause
that touched the peoples heart
If the Confederate armies, all massed
together and fired with the lust OF I
satjugation, should invade one Nor,
thern State, the thought of our vio-
lated firesides would arouse an ener.
gy that would scatter the invader like
clIaif before the wind. But 10 this
war We have no principle that comes
home to the heart of the masses we
are fighting for subjugation; with a
patriotic ulterior purpose, perhaps,
but still for suljugaiion. If that is
a principle, it is one that can never
Arouse the energies Of the American
people.
The foe has US at disadvantage,
'ir. lie believes that be is lighting
or the sanctuary of bis home; for
be freehold of his native soil; for
social institutions that be was taught
o justify, and for his conception Of
ell: government.
Therefore il is that the South
las maintained itself, defiant, resc.
ute, and hopeful, against the most
ormidable military operations known
u the history Of war. i
Let the friends Of peace proclaim
themselves as such. Let them not
ear TO be premature. This day is
,ot one day too soon for their lips to
Isscrt what their hearts know to be
rue. If the people are moi prepared
ct US commence The task OF prepa-
alton. 1t is a task already half ac-
,omplished, for, indeed, the masses,
With their unerring instincts, have al
'eady fathomed the depths of this
great sea Of troubles. They would
selcome ruin for its own sake, and
OF the memories Of old +; or. if newt
be, they would accept separation,
With a sigh Of regret, and then push
N alone in the broad path Of prog
ess; for they are self-reliant. Anglo
saxon natures would spurn the timid
|Octrine that the sturdy North-tbeir
North, built by their enemies, and
With millionsof acres yet unreclaimed
rom the wilderDess for expansion
5 dependent oD the South for pros
'erity and grandeur. ,
The Chicago Times thinks 1t is
n /