The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-04-24
The Peace Party of the North.

Below we give some extracts from q
speech of some length, and oil no ordina-
ry power and boldnsss, written bv Ben
Wood, and, by consent, published In the
Congressional Globe. The fact that such
speesi can be circulated in the United
States, and such editorials be published
as those from which we have published
extracts, can now be spoken and written
with impunity, and their authors go un'
punished. evidences marked and i'm
portant change, favorable to us. in public
opinion. and in the policy OF the Govern
ment. Among other things Mr.. Wood
said:
1t is habitual to throw the weight OF
responsibility for our impotence upon the
Administration and its Generals. Imbe-
ciiisy and Incompetence have, indeed,
-been sufReisnt and conspicuous, but not
10 these do T attrfbure the MHure. re
utter, unequivocal and lrredeemable fail
ure OF our'enterprise of conquering back
the Union. The failure of the scheme is
simply due to the impossibility of its ac-
complishment We can never by force
Of arms control the will OF people our
equals in the attributes OF enlightened
manhood; and while the will OF that peo-
pie remains adver,e to political compan-
ionship with us. political companionshiP
is impossible. Bloodshed. destruction of
property, and occupation Of lands are
possible; much suffering, grief, and folly
are possible, as we have too sadly proved
it; bu: constrained union of sovereign
States is an impossibility. which if omni-
potence could accomplish, omniscience
would not attempt. Six millions of A
mericans, whether they occupy the North,
the South. the East. or the West, cannot
be governed except in accordance with
their sovereign will.
But granting it possible. the question
arises OF equal moment: is it desrable!-
Has not the struggle already been too
fierce to admit OF unity and cordial ieel-
ing between conquering and conquer
ed section? Sir, fear it has. ] believe
that. while the memory ofthis war exists.
the people OF the North and South, uni
ted by corstraint, would never sufficient
ly forgive the past years record 10 admit
of friendly relationship in the same po!it-
ical household.
Right or wrong, men will cling to then
own impressions of great and snnguina-
ry struggle, in which they or their sires
have been participants. As the living ia
theirs of future generations this day feel,
SO will they tequenth to their children.
and in natural course the North ana
South will nurse their .pssn and separate
views OF this unparalleled epoch OF car
mage and contention.
confess sir. Iapprehend no difficulty
or misior,unes in the event OF separation
1rpf wi h fhnsp thar nltlsS
inevitably prove the sequences ofreunion
10y mere iorce OF aims.
can conceive two great republics, ex-
,..>,,.li~p in gvs,ssleuv. moving side by ~ade
upon principles almost identical. extend
ing the area of seit-government, the ono
nOithward and westward. the at her soul H.
ward and westward united tor mutual
defence. and protected by wise and pener-
Gus alliance from the jar ct conflicting
interests. l can C, nc,ive them gravitat.
ing towards each other, drawing nearer
and nearer rs asperities and unpleasant
memories soften with the lapse OF time,
until, when the safe and natural limits of
political affinity shall have been defer
mined the two mighty nations shall merge
again into one upon foundation perfect
ed by the experience OF the past. But I
cannot conceive happy, prosperous and
republican union. cenIented by blood. re-
moulded IN repugnance and prolonged
by the submission of the weak to the die.
tation OF the strong.
In nv view. therefore, this war. nomi-
nally for the Union, has actually been
wared against IL. With that belief ra-
ther than prolong it, ! wUald eoncede .
separation as the means OF an ultimate
reunion upon such principles as true
Republican should entertain Animosi-
Ties have heen eng-ndrr,d, and conflict
ing principles have bee developed BY
hostilities 10 an extent mat render a re-
union in the present state of feeling an
event to shrink from As unnatural. Those
conflicting principles may be- reconcil-d
when the smoke Of battle shall have PASS
ed away, but surely not until lnen.-
When every conciiiatory measure shall
have been resorted to in vain; when ne
gotiaton shall have been exhausted;
when the purpose of the Southern people
to abstain from political companionship
with us shall have been demonstrated as
fixed and irrevocable, and not the pas
sionate resolve of heated blood, then, rs
a necessity unless to struggle against.
shall not only counsel, shall urge seq
aration. IL
~
Ray~ The London Iader, reviewing the
debate in Parliament on the American
war. says;
There is no doubt that the refusal to
recognize the South arises from the fear
OF offending the North. We are convinc.
ed that the fear is groundless, and by
the refusal to do this simple act of Justice
we are laying up tor ourselves bitter and
lasting enmity. When the war does end
when the North wakens. from her fe-
vered dream and finds herself ruined. sho
will reproach us that we stood anxiously.
vet idly. looking on, and not only refused
TO stretch forth hand to snatch her
from her peril, but even encouraged her
| to persevere in her disastrous course by
refusing to officially warn her OF the
hopelessness of the struggle. Wecannot
agree with Mr.. DISraeli that it is politio
or digni6ed Tor this, the mother country
of the Anglo Saxon race, not TO make
some effort, at all events the moral effor,
of recognition. to stop the war. At pres.
emit the United States could not recent
the measure; hereaite or they would thank
US for il. Now ii they desire to do So
although it is tho eleventh hour. recos
milton would make the South our ally
against any future aggression o. the North
but ii the war goes on to the bitter end
we shall he without friend on the cont.
men, OF America. IL seems to US tina,
the policy of inaction Is cruel. unjust and
impolitio.
~ Gen. Heron, commanding at Prat