Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-12-09

any further thnnss Az additional element to be consider
cd their judgmentmay be affected by it II Is the voice
OF the people, now f hs hrs, time heard upon the quas
ton. In ~, at national crisis like this, unanimiy OF
action among those seeking common end Is very de-
sfabe and almost ndspen able and yet approach to
such unanmity is atanabe unless difference shall
be paid to The will o. The maj rity simply because IL
the will Of the majority In this the common end
is the maintenance Of the Union. and among the means
10 secure that end such will hroush the election Is
most clearly declared in favor Of such constitutional a.
mendment The most teliable indication Of public pur-
pose in this country Is derived through popular cleo
ton.
Judging by the recent canvass and its results the pur
pose Of the people within the loyal States maintain
the integrity OF the Union strong nor
more nearly unanimous than now. The extraordinary
camness and good order With which the millions Of vot-
crs met and mingled the polls gave strong
Of his lot only those whN supported tie Union ticket
so called, but great majority u the opposing party
may be fairly claimed ~ entertain aud to be actuated by
the same purpose u IA an unauswefabe argument 70
this effect that no candidate for any office whatever
high or low, has yentured to seek the AyoFa
that he was for giving up the Union. There have been
much impugning OF motives and much heated contfo
very as % the proper and best mode Of adyAnc
ing The Union But in the distinct issue Of Union
Union the politicians have shown their insticve
know edge thai there is diversity among the people
In aordng to the people the fair opportunity ofshOwng
one 10 another and to the world this hrmness aud unani
nifty of purpose, the election has been Of value to
the national cause.
The election has exhibited another fact not less valu-
able to be known-the fact that do not approach ex
hausion IN the most important branch OF national
sources-that " living men. While IL is melancholy to
reflect that he has filled many graves aud ried
mourning To 50 many hearts II Is some relief to know
that compared with the survivors, the fallen have been
50 few while corps and divisions and nrig DIS and egi-
ments have formed aud fought and dwindled and gone
out Of existence great majority Of the men who cm-
posea them are sun living. The same IS true OF the
naval service The election turns Prove SO many
voters could not else be found
The states regularly holding elections, both now and
four years ago TO wit Cal ornia Connecticut D,laware
Illinois. Indiana, Iowa, k,ntuoky, Maine Maryland
Massachusetts, Michigan New Hampshire, New Jersey,
Mo- AUrI IN.ala IL. "A
Vermont, West Virginia and c0nsin, cast $50 0l
votes now, agunsi 070,222 cast then, showing az
sregae now Of 1882 OH to which is to be aded 80 762
in the States Of Kansas aud Nevada which
States did notyote in 1860 swelling the aggregate
to 40 773 and the during the three years
and half Of var TO 45,76l, table is appended SHOW.
ing particulars.
10 this should be added the number Of all soldiers in
the field from dassact usets Ri de Island, New Jersey
Delaware, Indiana. Illinois and California who By the
laws OF these States could no. vote away from hen
homes and which number cannot be less thAn 100 900
Nor yet is this all The number in the organized ter
ritoies Is triple now whatit was four years ago while
thousands white and black JOIN ed US the national
pressed back the iusurgent lines
So much is shown airmatiyely and negatively by the
election. Il is MOI material 10 inquire how the increase
has been produced, to show that It would have beer
greater but for the VA, which probably The i'm
portant fact remains demonstrated that have n
men now th'n We bad when The began that we arr
no. exhausted nor in process OF eXhaus ion, that
gaining strength and maS need be, maintain the con
test indefinitely.
This men. Material resources are now NOR
complete and abundant than The national resourc
es hen, are uneNhAusted and. IS bel eve, mex
hausiioe The public purpose 20 re-sstabsh aud main
tam tue nauo al authority is unchanged and IS se be
love, unchange able The msnner Of continuing ID
effort II remains t. choose.
On careful consideration Of all the evidence accessible
II seems me that no attempt at negotiation tn m
insurgent leader could result in any good. He woul
accept thing short Of the severance OF the Union
precisely what cannot and will give Hs declai
atoms to this effect explicit and III repeated.
docs not attempt 10 deceive us He AFT US no exeu'
TO deceive GU selves He cannot voluntarily A,ofp
the Onioni we cannot voluntarily yield IT, betwee
nina and ms The issue is distinct, simple and nhexble -
an issue Uhieh only be tried by war, and be do
cdrd by victor, II We yield we are beaten; II IN
southern people fail him he Is beaten Either way,
would be the victory and defeat following
What is true, however. Of him who heads the insur
gent cause Is not necessarily Of those who How
Although he cannot re accept the Union, tuey can -
some OF them know aread desire peace and reunion
The number OF such may increase. they at AL.
NOM nj have peace. simply by laying down their ann
and submitting to the national authority under the con
sttuuon.
After so much, the government could not. II it
maintain war agains. them The loyal people would
sustain or alllw IL. II questions should remain,
would adjust them by he peaceful means Of llaon
confer enee, courts and votes operating only onfi
tutonal and lawful channels Some certain, add oths
possible questions and would be beyond the rxeeif
tive power to ADJUSTS for instance the Admission
members into Congress and whatever might rsqaife 81
appropriation Of money. The Executive power itsei
would be greatly diminished by the cessation Of
war. Pardous and remissons Of forfeiture, however
would still be within Executive control.
In what spirit aud temper this control would be
eised, can be fairly judged by the past year ago
general pardon aud amnesty upon specified terms,
offered TO all certain designated classes and
was at the same time made known that the excepte
classes we're sill within the contemplation Of speoia
clemeney During the year many awaited themselves q
the general provision and many would only tina
the signs Of bad faith in led such
rendered the practical process less easy
certain During the same time, Also, special pardon
have been granted 10 individuals the excepted class
and no voluntary application has been denied thu
PRACTICAL, the door has been for full year open
except such were in condition TO make r.
ehoice-that is such in custody under cor
, strlnt
IL is still open 10 ell but the time may come probabl
will come, when public duty shall demand that it
closed, and that it be rigorous than heretofore
In presenting the abandonment Of arms 20 the nation
al authority the part Of the insurgents, the onl
indispensable condition to ending the the part
the government, retract nothing heretofore said As
slavery, repeat the declaration made year ago, tbs
while remain in my present position shall not al
tempt to Tetract modify the emancipation nroclami
ton, shall return to slavery any person who is IRE
by the II that proclamation, 10y any Of the
= Coz g'ess II the people should, by whatever mode
a means make II Executive duty to sue
persons, another must be their instrument pc
form il.
Z In stating single condition Of peace mean simp
, 10 say that the will the part Of the govern
msnt whenever il shall have ceased the Of tho
who began it. ABRAHAM LINCOLN