Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-12-15

To this again should be added the num-
Der of all soldiers in the field from Massu-
chusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Della
ware, Indiana, Illinois and California, who,
by the law Of those States could not vote
away from their homes, and which number
cannot be less than 90. 900. Nor vet is this
all. The number in organized Territories
is a trite more now than what is was four
years ago, while thousands Of white and
black, join Us at the national arms and press
back the insurgent lines. So much is shown
afirmatively and negatively, by the election,
1t is not material to enquire how the in
crease has been produced or to show that it
would have been greater but for the war,
which is probably true.
The important fact remains demonstra-
ted, that we have more men now than we
had when the war began. That we are not
exhausted nor in process of exhaustion
That We are gaining strength, and may, il
need be, maintain the contest indefinitely
This as to men. Material and resources are
now more complete than ever. The nation
al resources then are not exhausted, and a,
we believe, inexhaustible. The public pur
pose to re-establish and maintain the nation
al authority is unchanged, and as We believe,
Interchangeable.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH REBEL LEADERS M
PoLITIC.
The manner of continuing the efforts re-
mains to choose. On careful consideration
of all the evidence accessible it seems to me
that no attempt at negotiation with the in
surgents' leader could result in any good. -
He would accept of nothing short of sever
ance of the Union His declarations to that
effect are explicit and oft repeated He
does not attempt TO deceive us. He affords
us no excuse to deceive ourselves. We
cannot voluntarily yield it. Between him
and us the issue is distinct, simple and in
flexible. 1t is an issue which can be tried
only by war and decided only by victory. If
we yield We are beaten. Ii the Southern
people fail him he is beaten; either ways it
would be the victory and defeat following
war. What is true, however, of him who
heads the insurgent cause, is not necessarily
true of those who follow. Although he can
not accept the Union, they can some OF
them, we know, already desire peace and
reunion. The number of such may increase.
HOW PEACE CAN BE OBTAINED.
They can at any moment have peace, sim
ply by laying down their arms and submit
ting to the national authority under the
Constitution. After so much, the Govern
ment could not, if it would, maintain war
against them. The loyal people would not
sustain or allow it. Ifquestions should re-
main, we would adjust them by the peaceful
means oflegislation, conference, courts and
voters. Operating only in constitutional
and lawful channel, some certain and other
possible questions, would be beyond the
Executive power to adjust. For instance,
the admission of members into Congress, or
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
forfetures, however, would still be within
executive control. In what spirit and tenn
per this control would be exercised can be
fairly judged of by the past. A year ago,
general pardon and amnesty upon designa-
ted terms were offered to all except certain
designated classes, and it was at the same
time made known that the excepted classes
were still within the contemplation OF spe-
cial clemency.
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 precautionary measures as