Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1863-04-08
The Short Road to Peace.

II our people desire peace, let them
take the only way to peace by backing
up our soldiers in the field 10y the moral
effect of such elections at home as will
show the rebels that their hope of aid
from disafiectiOn in the North Is vain.-
; This Is now their chief hope. They all
NIT that without it their ,:ase Is desperate,
and the measures they have now reSorted
tn IN trying To support the war, prove
that they are reduced 10 the last desperate
throw of ruined cause. The hope de
rived from disaffection and resistance TO
the Government in the free States, alone
gives any heart to the rebel cause at this
time. Let the people show them that
this hope is utterly vain, and the days of
'e''ellion will be numbered.
This rebellion is an affair of great ar
mics. As soon as its power TO sustain
these Is broken, it must dissolve, and the
elements will then be left to seek safety
in the Union. Its expenditures are at a
rate which would soon bankrupt the
greatest power in the world. The tradi-
tiOnal prices after the breaking down of
the continental currency, are realized in
Confederate currency. So desperate is its
financial condition that the rebel Secreta-
ry of the Treasury propose to wipe out
suddenly the existing issue of notes, and
to begin again. And the rebel Govern
ment no longer buys any supplies in the
open market, but lays its strong hand on
whatever comes within reach.
The recruiting of their army is in even
a more desperate situation. At the out
break of the rebellion the verdant youth
rushed to the ranks OF the army, as if for
a frolic, supposing the South had only to
make a warlike demonstration, and all
would be over. Boys who shoul have
been the reserve for three or four wears,
were the first material of their army. The
hardships of the rebel service, coming on
immature youth, not made hardy by
labor or good habits, were fearfully de-
structive 10 these. This portion of the
population. the only source for recruits in
a long and Exhaustive war, was consumed
first
Next the conscription took those OF
middle age. Having exhausted these it
is now sweeping in the aged. Even Ma
poleon with absolute power over the re-
sources of France, broke down when his
levies had exhausted the male population
down to the age of sel enteen years. The
rebellion began with this youth, and re-
versing the operation, has now exhausted
old age. 1t has drawn into its armies the
whole blood and muscle of the country,
and can recruit them no further.
Its measures for supplying its armies
are equally desperate. and equally de-
stroyed further production. BY an act
which they call law, all rights of property
are abolished. Confederate military Off |
GERS are authorized and ordered to take |
provisions. materials, animals, and sup
plies of every kind wherever they can
find them. at their own prices. giving |
therefor Confederate scrip of which dol |
lar is currently worth but about sixteen
cents, and is rapidly declining TO its real |
Confederate officers are |
over the country to enforce this
robbery. Under these condi-
tons production must cease, for men
must be less than human who will put in
crops with the robber standing over
them.
Rebeldom is suffering its worst penalty,
and it sees in its own condition and re-
sources no course but submission In this
desperate strait its allies seek to revive its
hopes and prolong its existence by encour-
promise resistance to the Government in /
The North to paralyze its power, deprive
It of the means of carrying on the war,
md prevent the recruiting of its armies.
1t is a stratagem for robbing the loyal
soldiers of the victory which they have
earned through such sacrifices, and turn
ng it into failure, and for enabling an
exhausted rebellion to dictate terms
which shall divide the Nation, and aban-
Ion the loyal people of the South TO be
banished, and their property
- Cincinnati GazsHe