Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-04-07

er seek to cmbarrass the Administration in
carrying it on. We deprecated the com
menccment of war and sought through our
representatives. in the councils of the nation
to give effect to the common sentiment of
the conservative portion of the people by
the adoption OF the measure of compromise
| and conclliation proposed by the patriotic
Crittenden. We looked with strained eyes
and hoped with throbbing hearts for an ad-
iustment upon that easy and equitable
basis
We know by the most incontrovertible
evidence, by the direct testimony of Doug
las and Pugh that the influential represent
ativcs of the South, who held secession in
their hands as clouds in the troubled sky
hold lightning, were willing to remain in
the Union il that measure of compromise
should be adopted and the incoming admin
istraton would pledge itself to its faithful
observance. The Democracy, favoring the
measure, gave it their hearty support, but
visions of new born power and predomina-
ting sovereignty controlled the Republican
mind: " No compromise with slavery"
was their motto, not even to avert disunion
and war Having the controlling power
they rejected the proposition Secession
was soon accomplished and war came speed
ily.
The Administration declared the principle
upon which the war should be conducted
10 show what that declaration was, as !
have not the official records at hand, I take
the liberty to quote from very able and
patriotic message of the Governor of New
jersey, recently communicated to the Leg
lSlature OF that State, Speaking of the
object Of the war, the Governor says:
This object on the pnrt of the Government
was explicitly stated by resolution passed
unanimously by the House of Representatives
q n M nf,h
which still stands as the authoritative decara~
tion Of the popular branch Of Congress" CBy
parenthaSis must say that if the worthy Gov
ernor had known how many. times that resou-
majority of the House during this session ho
would have omitted the latter clause) That
for the purpose of ovcrthrowing or interfering
with the rights and established institutions of
premacy of the Constitution, and to preserve
the Union, with all the dignity, equality, and
that as soon as these objects are accomplished
ae Wnd ougn6 IT 70 the published & cor
} idea is forcby expressed in the following lam
THE rights of the States and the condition
of every human being in them will remain sub
ject to exactly the same laws and forms of adj
succeed or whether it shall fall
'In the one case the States would be federally
United States; but their constitutions and laws,
would remain the same In repudiating in
dignantly ~ any intention on the part Of the ex-
ecutive to disturb the institutions of the States,
2 the writer adds: Any such effort on his part
Z Z would be unconstitutional, and all his actions
Y dicial authority, of the Uuited States, even
q : though assented to by Congress and by the
people. -"
= This language has none the sound of the
emancipation proclamation, nor of the re-
: construction and amnesty proclamation,
/, which proposes that one-tenth Of the peo-
Il pie of a seeded State, complying with the
:, wishes Of the PRESIDENT and surrendering
$ on oath such legal rights ;,s he wishes them
n dominate over nine times their number
c who possess the same constitutional rights,
: according to the learned Secretary, as the
favored few. The Democrats, in keeping
y with the statesmanlike sentiments above
y quoted, oppose all unconstitutional coercion
c practced to make abolition States to be
c ruled by a contemplate and purchased mi
a nority, at the expense Of the cardinal prin-
&c ciple Of free government. They do not
;, contemplate as auspicious the time when,
! by such corrupt means, the chief officers of
+ pose all such policy in the management of
L the war as recently sent into the State Of
o Florida a band Of brave officers and soldiers
ie to further the same Objectionable motive, if
1t that ready historian of the times, the pub
ID lie press, be truthful in its declarations. II
Or truthful, somebody must account to the
country in this world, or to God iii the
N next, for twelve hundred citizens, or more,
III as is believed, slaughtered and taken pris-
oners in an unmlitary enterprise.
DC Let it be shown to the conservative men
SO of this nation that the administration is de-
ie votcdly intent upon preserving the master
re ly edlhce OF this government, and honestly
OF makes war against the seeded States for
Is that noble purpose, and guaranty that nc
Is Democrat will oppose it. Any difference Of
he opinion which might exist would exist only
nr as citizens private thought. And ever
'd now, when we are forced by a weight of ev
n idence which must control the honest judg-
1t ment, to believe that our Federal Govern
n, ment restored to its pristine condition is moi
IN the object of the party which conducts the
u war, we do not attempt to throw any OBJ
ne staces in its way. We counsel no resistance
Mt to it; we do not seek to stop the war. Wal
II is inaugurated as the policy Of the Admin
o. istratlon, and for reasons easily perceived
en- it can probably accomplish no object, gooC
1T or bad, except by conquest, and that does
g, not promise to be immediate. With all it
W. usurped powers this Administration canno
y; live beyond its appointed time. During
ne the short residue Of the period allotted t.
he it, |, for one, do not wish to arbitrate tn,
" future of my country. If it is said that tht
St war was premature, let it be rccollected tina
70 peace may be premature also. We say i
Die IL sound constitutional party had continued
IL in the control Of the Government ther
n would have been no secession, no war; bu
he they are upon us like destroying fcnds.-
.cr Who shall rescue the Union in this emer
gcncy? Who shall adjust the terms o
ar peace which must at SOME time succeed t.
IN war? ..
X, If the present administration should ad
en- Just the terms of peace according to tn
a ideas which now govern its policy, the
'at would be blighted forever the hopes. Of a
'll- those whose hearts are quickened by th
ct'c love of free and popular government.
OF believe that with the Democracy in powe
ell successful negotiations for the restoratio
la of the Union could be had; but, manifest
lay ly, under the present administration no sue
to negotiations can be had nor if they wer
ng practicable would they be adopted for tn
administration is committed to the revolt
ng tionary scheme eofre-construction and again!
po,, the Union.
,ed know the awful burdens and expense {
der the war, as well as a finite capacity ca
lty comprehend what is infinite. But as a lie:
use ser evil | would suffer even its further az