The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1864-12-14
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than we had when the war began; that we
are not exhausted, nor in process Of exhaus-
ton; that we are gaining strength, and may
II need be, maintain the contest indefinitely.
This strength, a; to men, material, and re-
sources, Is now more complete andabundant
than ever. The national resources then,
are unexhausted, and as we believe, mex
haustible. The pubic purpose to re.estab-
llsh and maintain the national authority is
unchanged: andas we believe, unchangaable
The manner OF continuing the effort re-
mains to choose.
On careful consideration OF all the evil
denCe accessible, 1t seems to lne that no at
tempt at negotiation with the insurgent
leader could result in any good. He would
the Union. His declarations to that effect
are explicit and oft repeated. He does not
attempt to deceive us. He affords us no ex-
cuse to deceive ourselves; we cannot volun-
tarily yield it. Between him and us the
| issue is distinct, simple and inReXible. 1t is
an issue which can only be tried By war, and
decided by victory. &c.,.
If We yield, we arc beaten. If the South
ern people fail him, he is beaten. Either
way it would be the yictor aud defeat fol-
lowing war What is true, however, Of
him who heads the insurgent cause, is not
| necessary true OF those who follow Altho'
he cannot re-accept the Union, they can =
Some Of them we know alredy desire peace
and reunion. The number Of such may in
crease They can atany momenthave peace,
simply by laying down their arms and sub
mttlng to the national authority under the
COustltution.--Aiters SO much, the Govern
meut could not if it would, maintain war
against them. The local people would not
sustain or allow it. If questions should re-
man, We would adjust them by the peace
fii means Of legislation, conference, courts
and votes; operating only in constitutional
and lawful channels. Some certain, and
other possible questions are, and would be
beyond the Executive power to adjust. For
instance, the admissission of members into
Congress; and whatever might require the
| appropriation of money. The Executive
power itself would be greatly diminished by
the cessation OF actual war. PardOns and
remissionS of forfaiture2, however, vonld
still be within Executive control. In what
spirit and temper this control would be ex2r-
ci3ed, can be fairly judged of by the past
a year ago, general pardon and amnesty up
on spccliedterm8, were offered to all except
certain designated classes; and it was at the
same time made known that the excepted
classes were still within contemplation Of
special c!emency. During the year, many
availed themselves of the general provision;
and many more would, only that the signs
Of bad faith in some, led TO such procaution-
ary measures as rendered the practical pro-
cess less easy and certain During the same
time, also, special pardons have been grant
cd to lnllyiduals Of the excepted classes;
and no voluntary application has been de-
MED. Thus practically, the door has been
for full year, open to all except such as
were not in condition to make free choice;
that Is, such as were III custody, or under
constraint. ltls still open to aI but the
time may come, probably will come, when
pubic duty shall demand that it be closed,
and that in lieu, more vigorous measures
than heretofore shall be adopted.
In presenting the abandonment Of arm
ed resistance to the national authority on
the part OF the insurgents as the only inds-
penSable condition to ending the war on the
part Of the Government, | retract nothing
heretofore said as to slavery I repeat the
declaration made year ago, that while l
reruan In my present position, / shall not
attempt to retract or modify the emancipa-
ton proclamation, nor shall / return to sla-
very any person who is free by the terms of
that proclamation, or by any of the acts of
Congress. If the people should by what
ever mode or means, make it my executive
duty to ro-enslave such persons, another,
and not |, must be their instrument to per-
form it, In stating single condition of
peace, mean simply to say, that the war
will close on the part of the Government,
whenever it shall have ceased on the part
Of those who began it.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.