Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-12-12
Hon, s. s. Cox will please accept our
thanks for an official copy Of the Presidents
Message. ltn


Whatever may be said to the contrary
now, before the election. the idea was In
dustriously circulated by the friends Of the
Administration, that the success of LINCOLN
would give to the country,a q speedy, last
Ing. aud an honorable peace, and thousands
upon thousands Of honest men voted for
his reelection because they believed this.
They were told, and they believed it. that
the reelection -of LINCOLN by an over
whelming majority would carry to the peo-
pie I'm the Confederate States an unmistaka-
BILE evidence Of the unity of our people In
the determination to enforce the authority
of the Federal Government throughout
what was unquestionably the United States
before the triumph Of the Republican par
ty at the elections in 1860; and that SO soon
as those who had thrown themselves into
armed hostility to the present Administra-
tion should thus be made acquainted with
the will aud determination OF our people,
JEFF. DAVIS power would melt away as
melts snow under the warmth of bright
sun. 1t was to result Inevitably. Time
has carried us more than month beyond
the day on which this reelection was made.
The people in the South know its results;
they interpret it to mean that our people are
resolved on crushing war; they do not flat
ter themselves that it means anything else;
they accept it as a determined purpose on
our part to accept peace on no other terms
than such as shall alone grow out of war.
This is their understanding of the result OF
the election. They expected 1t to result as
it did just as much as did those who resolved
that LINCOLN should be elected.
Is there any evidence now that the rebel
lion has lost any of its power by reason of
the reelection of LINCOLN? Is there any
evidence in the Presidents message that
gives foundation for the hope to rest on that
was created before the election, that the re-
election Of LINCOLN would give us speedy.
honorable and enduring peace? Before tht
election, every few days large desertions
from the rebel army were telegraphed over
the country. Now we are told that HOOPS
army, that is near Nashville. is in desper
ate condition-in want of clothing, shOes
and stockings, and much pressed for food.
By representation, it is in that condition
that promotes active desertion from cause
that's tottering to its complete DOWNFALL
Yet. despite this, we are not cheered By
the intelligence Of large actual desertions
from that army. In the face of LINcoLN's.
reelection, Notwithstanding they are al
flicted by reason Of not having sufficient
food and clothing, they resolutely confron'
our army under THOMAS. and waver mol
in the determination to fight until the.
shall achieve their independence.
What is true of Georgia? In that Stat.
we have reason to believe there remained . |
largenumber ofpeople who yet cherished for
the Union deep devotion. and who would, in
consideration of this devotion, embrace the |
firstopportunity that should present itself
for them to return to their duty in the
Union. Are we realizing the fulfillment OF
this.hope? General SHERMAN has given to
them an admirable opportunity to give to
such feelings proper expression. We do
not, however, hear that the people Of that
State have flocked in multitudes to SHER
MANS standard; but we do hear that his
march asspread terror and CONSERVATION.
and that the people along his line of march
have anticipated him in the work of laying
waste the country. &ts9 81 4ts
LEssarmy before Richmond continues
to defy GRANT. SO, turn our eyes with
ersoever we will, we see no manifestati n
calculated to gladden. us by satisfactory
assurance, that the Rebellion is now vir-
tually at an end. Never, therefore, were
men. brought to experience disappointed
hope more fully than will be the men who
accepted as true the assertions Of smooth
tongued politicians, that quickly upon the
heels OF LIScoLN's reelection, would come
an enduring peace.
@g5T ! 80 8I |