Polynesian., 1863-03-14
No. 46.

l
merous, all full of slaughter, were hurried through
without delay and almost without debate.
Thus was 'eiv war" inaugurated in America
Can any man to-day see the end of it
But to resume: the session of Congress expired.
The President elect was inaugurated; and now if
only the policy of non-coercion could be maintain
ed and war thus ayerted, time would do its work
IN the North and South, and final peaceable adjust
ment and reunion be secured. Some time in March
il was announced that the President had resolved
to follow up the policy of his predecessor and even
90 step further, and evacuate Sumpter and the
other Federal forts and arsenals in the seeded
States. His own party acquiesced; the whole
country rejoiced. The whole policy of non-coer-
ciOn had trumphed, and for once, Sir in nv life
found myself IN an immense majority. No man
then pretended that Union founded in consent
could be cemented by force. Nay, more, the
President and the Secretary of State went further
Said Mr.. Seward, in official diplomatic letter to
Mr.. Adams:
For these reasons he (the President) would not
be disposed to reject cardinal dogma of theirs THE
secessionists), namely, that the Federal Govern
ment could not reduce the seeding States to obe-
dIence by conquest, although he were disposed to
question that proposition. But in fact the Presi-
dent willing ly accepts it true. Only an impe-
rial or despOtic Government could subjugate thor
oughly disaffected and insurrectionary members of
the State -
Pardon me. Sir, but beg to know whether this
conviction of the President and his Secretary is not
the philosophy of the persistent and most vigorous
efforts made by this Administration and first of all
through this same Secretary, the moment war broke
out, and ever since till the late elections to con-
vert the United States into an imperial or despotic
Government? But Mr.. Seward adds, and ! agree
with him:
''The Federal Republican system Of ours is, of
all forms of Government, the very one which is
most untitled for such labor"
This, Sir, was on the 10th of April, and yet that
very day the feet under sail for Charleston.
The policy of peace had been abandoned. Collis-
ION followed the militia were ordered out civil
began.
Now, Sir, on the 14th of April. believed that
coercion would bring on war. and war dsunion.
More than that | believed, what you all in your
hearts believe to-day, that the South could never be
conquered-neyer And not that only, but | was
satisfied-and you of the Abolition party have now
proved it to the Word-that the secret but real pur-
pose of the war to abolish slavery in the States
In any event, did not doubt that whatever might
be the mOmentary impulses of those IN power, and
whatever pledges they might make in the midst of
the fury for the Constitution, the Union and the
Flag, yet the natural and nexorabe logic of revo-
utions would. sooner or later drive them into that
policy, and with it to its final but inevitable result,
the change of our present demoeratical form of
government into an imperial despOtism.
Sir. our destiny is fixed. There is not one drop
of rain which. descending from the heavens, and
fertilizing our soil. causes it to yield abundant
harvest, but flows into the Mississippi, and there,
mingling with the waters of that mighty river finds
its way, at least, to the Gulf of Mexico. And we
must and will follow it with travel and trade, not
by treaty, but by right, freely, peaceaby, and
without restriction tribute, under the Gov
ernment and flag, to its hone in the bosom Of that
Gulf. Sir, we will not remain after separation
from the South, province or appendage of the
East, to bear her burdens and pay her taxes nor
hemmed in and isolated are, nor without
sea-coast, could we long remain a distinct confed-
eracy But wherever we 90, married to the South
or the East, we bring with us three-fourths of the
territories of the valley of the Rocky Mountains,
and it may be to the Pacifc-the grandest and
most magnificent dowry which bride ever had to
bestow.
And now the way to reuniOn What easy?
Behold to-day two separate Governments in one
country, and without a natural dividing line with
two Presidents and Cabinets, and q double Con-
gress; and yet each under q Constitution
actly similar, the one to the other, that stranger
could scarce discern the difference Was ever folly
and madness like this Sir. it is not the nature of
things that 1t should continue long.
But why speak of ways and terms of reunion
now? The will is yet wanting in both sections.
Union is and good will and fraternal affec
ton. War is force, hate revenge. Is the cOun-
try tired at last of war? Has the experiment been
tried long enough? Has sufficient blood been
shed. treasure expended, and misery inflicted in both
the North and South? What then? Stop fight
ing. Make armstice-no formal treaty. With
draw your army from the seeded States. Reduce
both armies TO fair and sufficient peace establish
ment. Declare absolute free trade between the
North and South. Buy and sell. Agree upon a
zollveren Recall your fleets. Break up your
ockade. Reduce your navy. Restore travel.
Open up railroads. Re-estabish the telegraph.
Re-unite your express companies. No more Mon
ltors and iron-clads, but set your friendly steamers
and steamships again in motion. Visit the North
and West. Visit the South. Exchange newspa-
pers. Migrate. Intermarry. Let slavery alone.
Hold elections at the appointed times. Let US
choose a new President in sixty-four. And when
the gospel of peace shall have descended again
from heaven into their hearts, and the gospel of
abolition and of hate been expelled let your clergy
aud the churches meet again In Christian inter-
course, North and South. Let the secret orders
and voluntary associations everywhere re-unite as
brethren once more. In short, give to all the nat
lral and all the artificial causes which impel us to-
yether their fullest sway. Let time do bis office
irying tears, dispelling sorrows, meIlowing pas
,ion, and making herb and grass and tree to grow
lgain upon the hundred battlefeds of this terrible
war.
:" But this is recognition It is not formal rec
ignition, to which | will not consent. Recogni-
ion now, and attempted permanent treaties about
,ounda travel, and trade, and partition of terri
ories, would end in a fercer and more disas-
rous than before. Recognition is absolute disu-
NON and not between the slave and the free States
'ut with Delaware and Maryland part of the
North, and Kentucky and Missouri part of the
Vest. But wherever the actual line, every evil and
mischief of disunion is implied in it. And for SIM
lar reasons, Sir, would not at this time press
lastiIy a convention of the States. The men who
low would hold seats in such convention, would,
lpon both Sides if both agreed to attend. come to-
.ether full of the hate and bitterness inseparabe
rom civil war. No, SIR let passion have time
o cool, and reason to resume its sway Ii cost