The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-08-19

which is demanded. More than this: as
to any State which pay first submit or be
conquered, conscription of every male
person, white or black, between twenty
and forty five, for the conquest of the
States still in arms. Nor is this the worst;
for inasmuch as all slaves and free negroes
South are considered "loyal," and nearly
all white men and women "disloyal," and
therefore, as having forfeited all rights,
the negroes, then all free, are to be treat
ed as almost the only persons entitled to
the several rights and privileges of citi-
zenship, and especially the very soldiers
to garrison the South And now add to
all this: suppression of the freedom of
speech and of the press, suspension of
habeas corpus, martial law, arbitrary ar
rests, imprisonments, banishments, inter
ference with elections, test oaths, appro-
priation of private houses, seizure of
private property, and every other act of
oppression, outrage and despotism, which
for two years have been mercilessly prac-
ticed even in States never in insurrection,
but always loyal to the Union.
This is the entertainment to which, un-
der the present policy of the Administra-
tion, dictated by the radicals who control
it, the States and people of the South are
invited. And repeatedly the question
was put to me while among them, ''If the
citizens of the States still adhering to the
Union are continually arrested, imprison-
ed, banished, or otherwise outraged, mere
ly because of their political opinions, or
for censure and criticism of the men and
paaty in power, what would not be done
with US if we were to be conquered or
were to submit" In fact, it is this very
policy which, instead of "crushing out
the rebellion" crushed out all Union
sentiment among them, and made, as it
still keeps them, a unit in numbers and
spirit, against the force and arms of the
Federal Government. 1t was the repeat
ed confession to me, personally, OF several
of the most distinguished public men OF
the Southwest, that if General Buell. had
been retained in command, and permitted
to continue his policy of peace and con-
ciliation-acting the officer and the gem
tlemaa, observing private rights, respect
ing private property, returning fugitive
slaves, and tolerating all political opinions,
whether in sympathy with secession or
not, so long as not carried out into over
acts-the people of Tennessee would have
voluntarily returned to the Union, six
months ago. And they rejoiced in the
change of policy and his removal. But
the mischief has been consummated, and
no success of arms, no number of victo-
ries can repair it. Not only another pol
fey, but other instrumentalities alone can
now restore the Union.
What, upon the other hand, does the
Democratic party propose to the States
and people Of the South? Not confsca.
ton, nor emancipation, nor CONSUMPTION
nor execution, and certainly not the equal
ity, or rather superiority, of the negro
race; but the Constitution with all it:
guarantees, the rights of the States ant
the liberties of the people. We would
restore the Union, and with it give then
quiet and security in the enjoyment o
their rights, properties and institutions o
every kind, as in the beginning of th'
Government, and before fanatics and dem
agogues made slavery subject of mora
and political agitation. IFe promise als'
to ourselves, and of course to them, a fire.
press, free speech, free elections, libert.
of conscience and opinion, habeds corPu'
due process of law, judicial trial, trial b.
I Jury, no midnight arrests, no martial law
no military orders or commissions, n
Provost Mafshals, no Military Governors
In short, VIC ask and offer nothing but tn
Constitution, the Union and the Laws.
While policy, then, let me ask, is bes
calculated to restore the Union? Whic
, party best able to effect the restoration
All wise and candid men now admit tha
even if the military power of the Confeo
crate States could be broken down b
! force, and her armies dissipated, the fin;
: settlement of this great controversy mu:
be the result of craftsmanship, not arm
l Cancellation, not force. And to whol
7 but Democratic statesmen, untainted wit
f fAbolitionism, and in whose wisdom an
e integrity the people of all sections-Sout
i as we'll as North and West-have conf
c dence, can the work be securely commi
ted9 Can they accomplish it, who con
r with acts and proclamations of abolitio
]! confscation, conseription and death?-me
: who are for no peace or union till SLAYER
J, is abolished? Believe me, the success
It the Democratic ticket this fall, in Obi
: will do more, net only for constitution
: liberty, but for the Union, than such nj
it could accomplish in hundred years.
Fl need not repeat my often declar'
: conviction, which time has always vino
= Gated, that the South can not be conque
Il ed by force and arms. But granting, f
= arguments sake, 'sthe effectual check al
e waning proportions of the rebellion,'
Ie proclaimed now again for the hundred
time, by the organs of the Adminis.l
n ton, and that by the second Monday
]? January next, all the armies of the Co
d federates will have been captured or d
e persed, and their remaining FIVE hundr
y thousand square miles of territory owe
lie run and occupied, then the hour for t
pacifcation of the South and conciliati
le Of her people will have arrived. A
! which party will most readily be hearke
ic ed to by them? Who, as Governor
Ohio, will be the most efficient agent
g. that great and arduous work? Your ca
le didate, committed wholly to the resto
If ton of the Union as it was: or the can
:, date of the Administration, pledged t.
- policy full, upon the one hand, OF &C
\