, 1863-02-21
TMeLouiSyill<.- j 0rlrnal II eb111kca
the Tnl1andiGllaIn Traitors,
G01.ards and Liars Mt Inc
Nn-NYp

(From the Louisville Journal Feb. .1G]
We desire peace as ardently rs the most or
thodox follower Of the humane Penn, but the
country eau accept no offer Of peace from the
rebels until 1t Is able to dictate and enforce
the terms, and we can listen to no PROPOSE
tions for truce unless coupled with promise
Of reconstruction. Until Then our armies
must be main aimed in the field, and all the
resources Of the nation must BIZ put forward
to crush out the rebellion. The adoption Of
Of tile struggle, would have been fatal to our
national honor, a confession that the theory
Of our Government had been a lamcntable
failure, and IN an admission that the people
were unable or unfit to govern themselves
under republican institutions. How much
more degrading and subversiye Of the great
principles which underlie our Constitution,
would 4 craven peace be now, when We have
so layishIy expended Blood and treasure to
maintain the integrity Of the Union, and TO
show to the world that our popular institu..
tions arc sclfsustaining, and that the great
its demonstration to an absurdlty. We do
not believe that the member Of Congress from
Ohio will be enabled to enlist even handful
If his party OIL his side of this question; on
the contrary, the authoritative eAponents Of
the Democrats, such as Governor Seymour,
Of New York, have never been more earnest
In their wishes for vigorous prosecution Of
| the war by every agency which thu Constitu-
| tion affords, the patriotism of the country
offers, and the imminent danger of the coun-
| try demands. The rebels are not yet humili-
atcd; they have not yet been punished Tor
their parricidal crime Of striking at the heart
of our nationality; and, until some evidences
| of repentance arc afforded, and some desire
| eyinced to offer rcparation for the past, we
must deal sturdy blows as invoke the blessing
| of Heaven upon our efforts. The radical
! point of difference is the right Of secession,
| rather than acknowledge which it would be
better that VIC should sink within the tide o1
time, and never float to after ages: Union
| would be moekery, md a Confederation Q
| rope Of sand, which. admitted the right Of 4
slight wEim or caprice. We have suffered
| ourselves totatfrightcl at names; We have
| been almost afraid to mention the word coer
cion, for fear it should be regarded us convey
ing some idea of yindictiye punishment. Bu
if We reflect moment, We must acknowledge
shield Of strength to every Govern
ment it is the vital principle Of al
laws, mud when VIC SO clnpliatically expires
ourselves i'll favor of the enforcement Q
the laws, we ncan nothing more or less thai
that the legislation Of the country must b.
Inherent in the Executive Department Of til
Government. Mr.. Vallandigham is mos
hopeful that we sl,all never separate, but hi
hope is founded upon the belief that corce:
sions can be made which would not humili
ate the Government, aud would prove accel
table TO the EXTREMISTS Of the South. This
a delnkion. If it were to abate one j0t Q
title now in the maintenance of our nation1
dignity, It would be a fatal error, which mus
. in the future lead to constant Instructions
border wars, aud esnbittered feelings. Th
.. reconstruction which is demanded by til
loyal yoicc Of Kcntucy is not y mere restor:
tion Of territorial limits, and the return {
the State soytrcignties within the orbit I
+ their constitutional duties, but it is the excl
ion Of the gangrenc Of secession from tt
body polite and the purgation from its 81
TEN Of those erurtiye elements which see
: to have been gathering strength fo1 thir
, years.