Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-30
The war News-What should be the
Bailey

The War News-What should be the
Policy.
The news from General Grant leaves no room
to doubt that he has gained decided advantage
over the rebel army under BRAse Generally
the teiegraphic reports OF victories over the enc
my have proven exsg=ersiions, but the details OF
the engagements in which General GRANT has
been engaged. have seldom fallen short "f the
first reports. In the engagement between RosE-
GRAMS and BRAGG at Stone river. the teIegraphic
reports represented. as they now do, that the de
feat and rout OF the enemy was complete, but
such did not prove 10 be the case. 1t may now
turn out that while the rebel army has met with
decided reverse and great loss, il may fall back
to ralying point in apparent disorder and panic,
but that position reached, the rebels may rally
and present again. as it has done heretofore. a
formidable front. But conceding thatthe victory
over the enemy is complete, and thas bis forces
are demorazed and disorganized. does it not
present to the Administration an excellent op-
portunity, BY wise and magnanimous policy, to
strike crushing blow at the rebellion?
The Administration and Congress started out
with the proposition that the war on our part
was waged solely for the restoration of the ma
tional authority and with no intention of inter
fering with the rights institutions of the States
1t was not to be prosecuted for the purpose of
subjugation, or with any vindictive spirit. The
party in power has again and again proclaimed
that it was influenced by no other consideration
but the restoration Of the Union. That is the
issue it presented with the most profound ex-
pressions of sincerity. 1t would not permit its
motives in that regard TO be questioned. 1t
claimed to be exclusively party of Union
savers, and those who could not subscribe un-
reservedly to its tenets and its policy charged
with being disunionists. Is the party in power
really anxious to restore the Uuion? 1t claims
to be. and calls upon the people to discard all
party organizations and affiliations, and unite
with it to a man for the overthrow of the rebel
lion. If this spirit and these purposes really
animate the men Who have the direction
| of the government. the country should now de-
mand of them that they illustrate the SINGER
ity of their professions. II the war is not waged
in the spirit OF conquest, or for the overthrow of
the constitutional rights of the States, in the
hour of victory and when it is known that there
is decided Union feeling in the rebel States, let
! the Administration give some assurance to those
in opposition to the government, whether posi-
lively or tacitly, that it has no other object in
view And by so doing tie entire North could
be made unit, and the South, at the least, divi-
ded. If the. President should now issue pro.
clamation declaring a general amnesty and for
gveness to all the people OF the old Union for all
political offenses, withdrawing all confscation
and emancipation proclamations and pledging to
every person their constitutional and legal rights,
and even Offering to call national convention TO
settle the existing difficulties of the country, to
all who would lay down their arms and cease
opposition to the government within a
period Of sixty or ninety DAYS. can
any one doubt it would be attended
with the most successful results? If the rebels
refused such an overture for reconciliation, it
would unite the North completely aud there would
be no trouble in filling up the armies promptly.
The effect of this proposition would be to demon
aize the rebel armies, divide the people Of the
South, and give courage and strength to the
Union sentiment in the rebel States. For two
years and half have been prescott
ing the war, at terrible sacrifice. of blood and
treasure. upon the policy of the Administration
party. Is it not just now to ask the party in
power to try the suggestions ofther political oppo-
nents to end the civil and restore the Union
There is no armistice or suspension of hostili-
ties asked. but simply to offer those in rebellion
terms of peace in entire harmony with the solemn
declarations Of the government. If this is done
and it fails, it will be entirely safe to pledge that
the entire people of the loyal States will unite
with the Administration in any policy it may
suggest for the restoration of the Union.