, 1863-06-17

Ii IUu1 l4G 41lEU1001Q 9EuL1ueI, JuuE 1.l
So far as We are concerned, there are but
arc for war, and those who desire peace. With
other distinctions We haye no concern, nor
should we regard the different views Of the
advocates Of war, or the classes Into which
the friends Of peace are divided.
It is generally agreed that there is no prac-
ticnl difference between the Republicans and
war Democrats. They dispute among thenl-
selves as to how the war should be waged, and
BY whom It should be conducted; but both
ngree That 1t should 80 on, md with both we
have one argument only the ultima ratio of
kings and peoples.
4 difference Of opinion, however, prevails
Gates of peace III tue North can be classed to.
gether with equal pr9priety; and distinc-
ton is made between those who desire peace
Internationally, and those who, like Mr. Val
landigham, advocate it as the best means Of
restoring the Union. So odions to us has the
idea Ut reunion with the North become, that
peace itself when proposed In the hope
Of restoration and denounce the party Of
which Mr. Vulandishaln Is tho chief, is
bitterly as they do the disciples Of Lincoln
md Van Buren,. While it Is admitted that
such party is not III all respects idcn fcal
with tile friends Of peace for I,eace's sake, q
little reflection will show that, So far as Nd are
concerned, the difference is more nominal
than real ard We should beware that In SO
grave a matter We do not give that heed to
the promptiIgs of feeling which can only be
eafe1s accorded to the teachings Of unpreju-
diced reason. In one sense, those who favor
peace as means OF restoring the Onion, arc
as much our enemies as those who seek to
accomplish the same object by war, because
both are hostile to the government Of our
choice, and both desire its overthrow If tt
be true that the return Of peace would lead
%n r. hn
those ct The North who would adopt pacific
policy towards rs are in1eed our most dan
gerons enemies, for they would most GER
tAin]y accomplish our national ruin But Is
ittrue: Do We fear that peace will In fact
bring about reunion. The thousand who
tions to Heaven for peace, will be slow to
admit that they cherish treason IN their
hearts, and that the Confederacy can only
breathe in safety the tety atmosphere Of
war. Whatever might have been the result
of pacific policy on the part Of the United
she adoption Of TINT policy now would fail to
obliterate the bitter last from our memories,
or dispose us to restoration Of political con-
nection with people by whom we have suf-
tered SO much Of cruel wrong and Outrage.
The stcddfast devotion aud constancy to Our
country, that hare withstood unbroken
the shock Of savage war, can surely
be trusted to withstand all the Induce
ments or bribes that the bloody hands Of our
enemies can offer. There is no reason why
We should not trust the fate Of our fndcpen-
dent nationality TO the influences Of peace,
with Us much readiness and confidence as We
lave displnyed In submitting it to the trial Of
arms. And surely we have every reason to
prefer resort to peaceful measures on the
part Of our enemies. We know that we can
no more be bent by favor than broken By
fu1ce; but the former is better, for It costs no
| money; It sheds no blood; 1T docs not EaSnge
| our fields, or fill our homes with the voice Of
mourning. Moreover, the peace party Of Mr.
| Va1landigham propose not merely to stop the
| war. They would withdraw their fleets and
armies and trust to the healing influences, the
ris neditatrir Of time, aud interest, and
friendly intercourse, to smooth sway the rough
| traces Of war inour hearts and In our land.
| ment, It our national existence ]las more en-
| during foundation than the fierce passions of
the hour. And il, indeed, our Confedcracy
cannot survive such influences us these its
| life is unnatural, and tho sooner 1t ceases to
exist the better for us and tor the general
| show that the practical difference between the
advocates Of unconditional peace and peace
as 1neans Of restoration, is not SO great after
all; for If one party does not propose re'
union as its object the other will fail to attain
| it, if our Government possesses {as We believe
It does) the elements Of u healthy political e1.
istence. But, it may be said, il peace ehal1
prove iucHectual Us a means Of re Union ita
| advocates will again resort to hostilitics
They, however, hold that war has already been
found unayailing, and would not be inclined
| to repeat the vain and ruiuons attempt. But
suppose they do. In what respect would VIC
be injured BY 4 respite, however bricf, from
the horrors Of the present struggle Is il
nothing that the voice Of reason aud Justice
| be heard, even for i moment, above the