The Hillsborough recorder., 1864-10-19

on any other terms means despotlsm, en-
throned IN empire not republicanism
founded upon "the consent OF the govern.
ed and organized "in such form a. to
them shall be most likely to effect their
safety and happiness. This is the kind
OF peace which the United States propose
to enforce upon the people uf the Coniede-
rate States-the peace of death To consti.
tutonal liberty-the stagnant peace Of des-
potIsm-the peace which chains and pri-
son bars impose.
| look with anxiety to the approaching
Presidential election in the United States.
For although the Chicago platform falls be-
low the great occasion, and the nominee
still lower, Yet the triumph of the Demo.
cratic party Of the North will certainly
secure temporary suspension of hostili-
ties and an efIort TO make peace by an ap-
peal to reason. They confess that four
years OF bloody war, as a means of resior-
ing the Union, has proven failure. They
declare that the true principles of Ameri-
can government have been disregarded and
trampIed under foot, hy the present Exec
utlse Of the Uniled States. Their success
will bring change OF administration, and
with that change Of policy. Il will do
more, and what is Of Infinitely greater i'm
portance, it will bring the two contending
parties face to lace, in the arena oil reason
and consultations. Then and there can be
discussed the history Of all cur difficulties,
the principles lnyolvedin the bloody issue
aud the respective interests Of both go
vernmeuts. Such is my conviction Of the
impotence of truth and right, that feel
al sbiding confidence that an honorable
peace would ultimately spring from such
deliberations.
In their long cherished devotion to the
Union of the States,-a sentiment which
challenges my respect,-the people Of the
North, u seems to me, have fallen into
two grave aud capital errors. On the one
hand. they attach an undue importance TO
the mere fact Of form Of Union, ignoring
the principles and objects Of the Union,
aud forgetting that il ceases TO be valuable
when u fails TO secare that object, and
MAINTAIN those principles. On the other
hand. they think that the States Of the Con-
lederacy have separated from the United
States in con,emptol that Union. in wan
ton disposition 10 insult lis flag and 10 de-
stroy the government Of which il is the
emblem. Both opinions are wrong. The
old Union was an organization oil States.
But il was more; il was such an orgauiza.
tIsn, founded upon great principles. in or.
der 10 give the most efficient security for
the maintenance OF those very same priu-
clples. These principles arc the sove-
reignty Of the States the right Of the people
TO govern themselves; the right Of each
State 10 regulate lis swn domestic affairs.
TO establish ITS own municipal institutions.
to organlzeits own system OF labor, and TO
pursue its own career OF enterprise, sub
Ject 10 no restrictions except such as are
expressed in the Federal Constitution. On
these the Union WAS based, aud constitut-
ed the sOlrmn guprantec Of all that each
State should be protected 10 their undis-
turbed enjoyment. When il failed TO do
this. or what Is worse, when its govern
ment passed into the administration Of
those whose avowed policy and measures
must lead to the overthrow Of those prin.
styles. il was virtually at an end, aud in
their opinion ceased to be valuable 10 the
people Of the Confederate States. Hence,
secession was not resorted 10 merely to
throw of the Union. Our people loved
the Union aRd honored its once glorious
flag, for the rich memories that clustered
around il. They lett it with reluctance
aud regret to which history will scarcely
do justice. They were, as they are nov,
welded TO the principles on which the
Unien was founded; they separated from
il. but TO vindicate and maintain them.
Whether they acted wisely or unwisely
must be left to the impartial arbitrament Of
time and coming events. But no people