The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1863-01-22

Constitution, and give to each SECT
ton the power to protect itself
within the Union, and now, after
the terrible lessons Of the past two
years, the Union will be stronger
than before, and indeed, endure for
ages, Woe to the man, North or
South, who, to the third or tho
fourth generation, should teach
men disun,on.
And now the way to reunion;
what so easy? Behold to-day TWO
separate Governments in one counl
try, and without a natural dividing
line; with two Presidents and Cabil
nets. and IL double Congress; and
yet each under u Constitution 80
exactly similar, the one TO the 9TH
or, that II stranger could scarce dis.
ccrn the differ ence. Was ever tolI
Iy and madness like this? Sir, it
Is hot in the nature ofthings that
it should so continue long, =
And now, sir, allow me a word
upon asubject of veryngreatiutcrI
est at This moment, and ost imr
portant it may be in its influence
upon The future-foreigu fmedial
ton. | speak not OF armed and
hostile intervention, wliich.I wo uld
resist as long as but one man was
lett to strike a blow at the invader.
But friendly mediation, tho kindI
~ offer OF an impartial power to
stand as u daysmaH betweep the
c%cmtending parties in this most
bloody ana e%Xhausting strife, ought
to be met in Il spirit as cordial and
ready as that in which it is protfer1
ed. 1t would be churlish to refuse.
Certainly, it is not consistent with
the former dignity of this Govern
ment to ask for IL mediation; neil
tIer, sir, would it Jeft its ancient
magnanimity to reject it. AS pro-
posed By the Emperor of France, l
would accept it at once. Now is
the auapicious moment. 1t is the
SpeedieSt, easiest, most graceful
mode OF suspending hostilities.
Sir, this war, Horrible as it is,
has taught US all some of the most
important and salutary lessons
which ever a.people learned.
First, it has ahnihilated in twerl
ty months, all the false and pernil
cious theories and teachings Of Alb
oIitionism for thirty years, and
which IL mere appeal to facts and
argument could not have untaught
in half century. We have feared
thattllc South is not weak, depenl
dent unenterpriSing, or corrupted
by slavery, luxury and idleness; but
powerful, earnest, warlike, enGul
ring, selfrsupporting, full of cner,
gN and ipeNlaustiLle in resources.
4: N"' S3SI1 *
The South, too, sir, has learned
most important lessons; and among
them, that personal courage is u
quality common to all sections, and
tuat in battle, the men ofthe North,
and especially Of the West, are
their equals. Hitherto there has
been u mutual and most mischicv-
ons mistake upon both sides. The
South o~velvaIueI its own personal
courage, and undervalued ours, and
wetoo readily consented; but at
the same time she exaggerated our
aggregate strength End resources,
and under.chtimated her own; and
we fell into the same error; and
hence theorginal and fatal mistake
or vice Of the military policy OF the
North, and which has already bro
ken down the wal by it's own
wcight-the belief thot We could
bring overwhelming numbers aud
power into the field and upon the
sea. and crush out the South at u
blow. But, twenty months of ter
rible warfare have corrected many
errors, ana taught US the wisdom
of IL century. And now sir, every
of these lessons will profit us
for all ages to come; and if We do
but reunite, will bind us in o closer,
tirmer, more dpfable union than
ever before.
PREBLE COUNTY BIBLE
SOCIETY.
The anniversary meeting of the
Preble County Bible Society, will