The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-12-16

The natioual resources, then, Are unex-
hausted, and, as we believe, fnexhanstfele.
The public purpose TO re-esiahilsh ana
,usiniain the national authority oiar pn-
changed, and, as we believe, u, change
able The manner Of continuing the effort
remains 10 choose On earefu! considera
,iop Of all The evidence accessible, 1t seems
10 me that no attempt at negoua|iop win
The usurgent leader could result IN any
good. lie would accept Of nothing sh.rs
Of ii severance OF The Uuiou. His de-
claratiops to that etfec, are explicit -atd
oH-repeat ed He does not attempt tode'
ceiye us He affords us no excuse to de-
ceive ourselves. We. cannot voluntarily
yield ii. Between him and US the issue is
distinct. simple and nfiex'ble. 1t lie an is
sue wiiitlf cen only be tried hy war, and
decided by victory. If we yield we are
beaten if tbe southern people fail bin, he
is beaten either way it would be the VIC
tory and defeat following war. ''.-"
What is true, however, of him who
heads The insurgent cause, is not neces-
sarilv tue of those who follow 4; although
he cannot re.accept the Union, they can.
Some of them we know already desire
peace and reunion. The number OF such
may increase. They can at any moment
have peace, simply by laying down Their
arms AND submitting to the national au-
thori;y, under the constitution. .., .,
After so much, the government could
not, if it would, maintain a war against
them. The loyal people would not sn.,
tain or allow it. If questions shonld re-
main, We would adjust them by the peace
full means oflegislaton, conference, conris
and votes. ,.....
Operating only in constitutional and
lawful channels. some certain, and other
possible, questions. are, and would be, be>
youd the executive power to adjust. For
| inslanc the admission OF members into
congress, and whatever IL; chit require the
appropriation of money. Tie executive
poNer itself would be greatly diminished
bv the cessation Of actua! war. Patdons
and reuIissions of forfeiture. however,
would still be within executive control.
In what spirit and temper tins con,ro!
would be exercised, can be fairly judged
Of by the past. a year ago general PAL
/ don and amens:y, upon specified terms were
offered to all except certain desi grated
! classes, and il was at the same time made
| known that the excepted classes were still
within contemplation Of special clemency.
During the war, many ayaiIed ihem>
selves nj the general pardon, and MANY
more would, only that the Signs Of bad
/ faith in some led TO such precautionary
measures, as rendered the practical pro
cess less easy and certain during he same
! time. Also special pardons have been
granted 10 individuals Of excepted classes,
! and 10 voluntary application has been de-
MED. Thus, p,scticaI!y. the door has been
! for 3 foil year open to a, except such a.
were not IN a condition 10 make ties
/ choice--that Is, such IS were in custody
or under restraint. 1t Is sill opeu to all,
cut this may come-probabiy viii
! c me 81 hen public dDty shall demand
/ that it Je closed, and that III lieu thereof
/ more vigorous measures than heretofore
he adopted in presenting the abandonment
! OF armed resistance TO The national author
! ty, on the pat OF he insurgents, As the
only indi.p ensable condition TO ending the
war on the part OF The government
| retract uottiGg heretofore said. As 10
ala"ery. repeat The declaration made y
Year ago that while | remain in my pres.
ent position shall not attempt to retract
or uiolifv the emancipation proclamation
| nor shall return to siayerv any person
who Is free ty the terms OF that i'rccta'na'
! ton, or ) any % the acts ot congress II