The Democratic press. (Eaton, Preble County, Ohio) 1860-1865, 1863-03-05

its long administration of the gov.
eminent, may have been occasion,
ally wrong, but in the support of
measures which have for their end
the peace, unity and prosperity of
our once happy country, we are
satisfied they are right; and our
own opinion is, that if ever we are
extricated from the present perilous
condition we are in, it viii be
through the instrumentality of the
Democratic party.
Some. no doubt, wonder if the
soldiers generally are favorable to
o peace? I answer emphatically
that, so far as | am acquainted,
they are. In the company to which
1 belong there is not half q dozen
who would not hail the news of
peace, made upon any heAorable
basis, with acclamations of un-
bounded joy. Let any one who
doubts this ask the wives, mothers,
sisters, or any friend, that cores
pond with our boys, what is the
burden of their wishes, their hopes,
their prayers, and, with few cxcep-
tons, the answer will be for speedy
and lasting peace.
Some may suppose that their de,
sire for peace is in order that they
may be again restored to their rel
atives and friends, but l can assure
them that such reasons are not the
only ones, by any means. They
ave come to the conclusion that
instead Of this being q war for the
restoration Of the Union, it has be-
come a crusade against slavery; and
the idea of being tools ia the hands
of the Abolitionists to accomplish
their ends-of enduring so many
hardships, and periling life itself,
to crafty the desires Of a class Of
men whom they imagine to be the
chief cause of the war, is the prime
reason why they so a~nxiously wish
for peace.
And l believe that these longings
are not confined to our company,
A reason why l think so, is that
the "Chicago Times" which has
been sold extensively throughol
this Division of the Army, and
which is a bold and an able advo.
cate of peace measures, has been
ordered suppressed in this Army
Corps. And there is q report that
all epistolary correspondence vii
be ordered to cease soon. Whether
lbthis is true or rot; rnnn say
but If it be, the cause, l think il
obvious. there is a fear that tho
soldiers will become so much i'm
bued with the opinion of the ma
jority in the Northern States tina
the end in view may not be accom-
plished. But so long as soldiers
know that they are fighting to re
store the Union, they are conten. t.
serve the term of their enlktment
but when satisfied that other end
are aimed at, what wonder if thei
wishes are for peace?
But another measure now unde.
consideration in Congress tho sol
diers do not particularly admire, i
e., fighting shoulder to shoulde
with "American citizens of African
descent" W. wish no such an *
nominious reflection upon the skill
) and courage of our army, as tn
virtual acknowledgment that witt,
out the aid of negroes we will b
beaten in this war. The impreca
tiors of most of the boys at the ide
are "not loud, but deep" Of a
the futile plans yet adopted t.
"smash" this rebellion, in my opin
ion this is the shallowest. 1t ough
to cause the blush of shame to tin
, gle on the cheek of every Norther
man.
But, for fear of saying somethin
that would render me liable to pur
ishment, I will close. Hoping tina
the blessings of peace and unit
may soon be restored to our Ill
happy country, I remain,
:. Yours, with respect,
; ROBT. STEELE.
Co. F, 9Th O,V.C.