The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-07-06
An Armistice Proposed.


Gen. George B. Morgan, late of the Fed
eral army, and celebrated for his brilliant
generalship in the retreat from Cumber
land Gap, Tenn:
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio, june II, '64.
GENTLEMEN: Your note is before me,
and with pleasure 1 comply with your re
quest. There is always danger of civil
war among free people, resulting in the
overthrow of liberty; and l do not believe
that more force can restore peace or pre-
serve the Union. In MY humble judg-
lnent, wisdom and patriotism alike de-
mand an armistice; and believe that
cessation of hostilities would result in an
honorable and happy peace.
An armistice is an agreed suspension of
hostilities between belhgerents for speci-
fed time, and for given purpose. In
wars between civilized nations an armlstlce
always precedes peace, though sometimes
resorted to for orther purposes. None
but barbarian powers pursue hostilities
to determination, and determination or
complete exhaustion of both contepding
parties, would be the necessary result in
all wars, did not the opposing parties
agree to suspend hostilities, SO that the
question in dispute might be submitted
30 the arbiarament Of reason, after brute
force had failed
During an armistice the hostile armies
maintain their respective positions, and If
terms of adjustment are not agreed upon,
hostilities can be re- commenced. But as
a general and almost an invariable rule,
an armistice is followed by peace. The
proposition for an afmistice generally
comes from the victor; and thus after the
battle of Solferino gained by the French,
the Emperor. Napoleon proposed an ar
mistiee to Francis Joseph of Austria, and
peace was the result.
Without mag gnanimity there can be no
real greatness, and the absence of it is
the certain evidence Of want of proper
self respect The cause of the Union has
been nobly vindicated on more than a
hundred battle fields, and the deeds of
our soldiers have reflected immortal glory
upon our arms. But our enemy has been
equally brave, and although we hate Sc
cesslon. we accord an honest admiration
for the heroism which has half redeemed
mistaken cause.
The world has never seen such battles
t tier in point of numbers or dauntles:
intrepedity. We have sent to the Gelt
more than two million of men; and near
/. ", if not full one half of them have gone
to their graves.
Whole regions of country have beer
!; made desolate, the busy hum of work
shops has been hushed, as if palsied BY
eternal death, the plough has been let
in the furrow; and the father, the HUSBAND
:: and the son, have alike gone oat to bat
r tie. And yet, naught, absolutely nothin:
has been gained toward the restoration o
!. that grand and noble Union formed b,
: our fathers. say, then for time lie
the torrent of blood be stayed-let tn
!. olive branch suppant the sword, ant
!. heaven born reason take the place O
!. force. Victory has crowned our banner
n on unnumbercd fields and magnanlmit
:, will add lustre to our arms.
Say TO OUT countrynien Of the South
i Let rs reason together. Your homes ar
draped in mourning, and so are ours
Many of your neblest sons have perishe
on the &eld of battle, and such alas, is ia
case with us. We are country fsen an
!
the red storm Of battle, we are proud Q
each others deeds. We honor the name
;. of Lee, of Sidney johnson and of Jack
: son; and you respect those of Mcclellan
, of Grant and of Sedgwek. let US tai
!. together aud call back the memories c
t the past. Washington was yours an
!. ours AND Fpanklin and Madison sat sid
by side in the convention which frame
the great Constitution.
Il Reason is the attribute Of she Gods
carnage is the festival Of Fiends. The
4 let rs assemble around the council fir,
If and for once initiate our red brothers {
/, the forest and smoke the calumet {
5f pesH."
stE q word, let the result at Richmon
v be what it may, let US declare in favor {
h an armistlce OF sixty days. We can max
l. the proposition with honor because
70 would be done on Southern soil, W
le blockade all the ports ef the South not i
. our possession, and the great Father c
;. Waters is ours from its souce to Its mouth
m But we want peace, We want Union, W
% want cessation Of the carnage of wa
a and these blessings can only be obtain
p- ed through an armistice.
20 In nay letter to the State Central Con
> mittee in September, 1868, | denounce
, the policy OF President Lincoln in refu'
Is ling to receive Alexander Ii. Stephen
g. as Confederate Commissioner; and, sine
Of then, frequently urged the appointmer
~ of Commissioners on our part, 80 met
a. with others TO be appointed by the al
,r thorities at Richmond, and l again re,
,e pectfully advice what I have SO often re
,e commended before.
/ With earnest hopes for the prsserv;
re ton of the Union, and the return Of peac
a. 1 remain, gentlemen, your obliged fello
al citizen,
Il GEORGE w. MORGAN.
g To RoBT. MILLER and W. LBMol
le Esqs.
WooL.-The streets of Dover were Ii
erally jammed on Wednesday, with wet
wagons. and Port Washington, Shanesvil