Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-05-14

on Us with Jealous eye, watching the
time when their predictions will prove
true, that a republican form of govern
ment has no durability, that it will be
blown to atoms by the first tempest
that crosses its course, when they can
handle at their fingers ends the frag
ments that will remain after its fall
while, on the other hand, the prayers
Of the poor and oppressed millions OF
every land ascend on high, that oul
Union may be preserved; that our free
institutions may still live; that they.
too, may yet arrive upon its happy
shores, not only to bask in the salubri-
Gus breezes Of its healthy cline, but to
enjoy its free institutions, where they
can worship God according to the die
tates Of their own c0nsciences, where
there is none to moest or to make them
afraid. What! fulfill the predictions
OF all the tyrants in the world, that no
people on earth, not even enlightened
Americans, can govern themselves -
These considerations call forth all OF
those great and noble feelings of friend
ship and fraternity which bind man to
man, to rally again around the stand
ard of liberty and preserve onr Union
under any and all considerations.
When we shall have accomplished
all this, and peace shall once more
reign throughout the Union, will there
be any doubts Of our being o stronger
nation than ever? That this will be q
warning, for ages to come, against q
recurrence Of similar state Of things,
is obvious to ALL Let us consider,
then, that the fate Of this nation hangs
upon our hands; that to stand firm and
restore the Union will be to indemnify
the bond that was written with the
blood Of our fathers upon every battle
field Of the Revolution. That there is
discretion enough in the American peo-
pie to forever prevent the existence of
sectional strife hereafter, is beyond a
doubt; and if any should feel aggriev-
ed by having their local interests inter
fered with, they will have learned, to
their sorrow, that secession or rebel
lion is not the remedy. And for years
after peace shah have been restored,
we will find ourselves bound together
with an iron band, from the Atlantic to
the Pacific Ocean-from the Gulf of
Mexico to the frozen regions OF the
North, in such manner as 10 render it
impossible for any internal insurrec-
tons to disturb us, or dangers from any
foreign powers to approach us.
Well, to accomplish all this, what is
necessary I would answer, first, by
firm adherence to the princi pies Of
Democracy. Who, by war, can lessen
the force and efficiency of our enemies
and increase the force and efficiency Of
our friends? To suppose chat any
propositions that We could get up and
present to the confederate authorities
at Richmond, short Of acknowledging
their independence, would meet with
any favor, in their present cnraged
state Of feeling, is 4 matter too pre-
sumptuous to be thought of. But that
there is q way by which we can ap-
proach them, is beyond doubt. Sup
pose, for instance, that we call Union
Convention, to be held at some conven-
lent place, and invite all the States Tin
Guiding the insurgents) to be represent
ted and that we then and there guar
antee that If the seeded States will
return to their allegiance, their rights,
under the Constitution, shall be rrSpec-
ted +; that we assure them that we aim
no deadly blow at their domestic insti-
tutions, and that they shall enjoy per-
feet equality with u.s. This is no more
than the policy Of q Douglas, Of Clay,
Of Jefferson, yea, Of q Washington.-
Is there any doubt Of its meeting with
some favor in the border States? If.
then, We can reco,e er back the border
States by compromise, is there any
doubt that we can soon bring back the
balance by coercion? [ think not
But, if this or some other effort should
accomplish nothing Immediately, with
the rebels, it would command the re-
spect Of other nations, already cold and
indifferent towards us. It would re-
unite the already divided North. by
showing that our object is honorable
and just.
That there is a great Union feeling
in the loyal States, which undcrlies ev-
erything that has been done yet, is GER
tain; and in order to bring it out, it is
only necessary to adopt these measures.
When these measures are adopted, and
fail, we shall fight as we never before
fought. We will win battles where we
have lost battles. That there are many
who would oppose this policy of con
cession, on the ground Of its being hu-
initiating to the North, I know. To
them | would answer, it is for the vic
tor to grant quarters, and for the van
quished to accept them.
When these measures are adopted.
and shall have failed to bring about the
desired end, [ would then say, fight the
war to the bitter end, if we must. Yes,
I would fight until the homes of every
cavalry horse lay bleaching in the sun;
until every army mule lay exhausted
by the road side; until the soles of our
shoes were worn OF; until the blood
of our feet marked our course from the
Potomac TO the great Calf. Yes, until
the waters of the Mississippi were dried
up; until our broad prairies refused
longer to give forth sustenance for our
armies; until the sun no longer appear
ed TO guide our steps by day, or the
moon by night-then, and not till then.