The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-12-14


ing strength, and may if need be, maintain
the contest indefinitely. This as to men,
and material resources are now more COM
plete and abundant than ever.
The national resources then are unex-
hausted and, as we believe, inexhausti-
Bile. The public purpose to establish and
maintain the natonl authority is unchang-
cd, aud, as we believe, unchangeable.-
The manner of continuing the effort re-
mains to choose. On careful eonsidera-
tion ofall the evidence accessible, it seems
to me that no attempt at negotiation with
the insufgeant leader could resultin any
good.
He would accept nothing short of sew
erance of the Union, precisely what we
will not and cannot give. His declara-
tions to this effect are explicit and oft
repeated; he does not attempt to deceive
us; he affords ps no excuse to deceive
ourselves. He cannot voluntarily re-
yield it. Between him and us the issue
is distinct single and infexible. It il an
Issue which can only be tried by war, and
decided by victory. If we yield We arc
beaten. IT the Southern people failshiin,
he is beaten. Either way, it would be
the victory and defeat following war.
" hat is true, however, of lin who heads
the iRsurgent cause, is not necessarily
true of those who follow. Although he
cannot re-accept the Union, they can.
Some of them we know already desire
peace and reunion. The number ofsuch
may increase. They can at any moment
har |, a
arms and submitting 10 the National au-
therity. Under the Constitution, after so
much, the Government could not, if it
would, maintain war against them s.iO
The loyal people would not sustain or
allow it. If questions should remaih we
weuli adjust them by the peacefusmesns
of legislation. conferences, courts and
votes, operating only in constitutional
and lawful channels. Some certain and
other possible questions are aud would be
beyond the executive power to adjust,as
ter instance the admission of members
into Congress, and whatever might require
the appropriating Of money. The execul
tive power itself would be greatly dlmin-
ished by the cessation Of actual war
pardons and renissions OF forleitures,
however, would be still within the Execu-
tive control. In what spirit and temper
this control would be exercised can be
fairly judged of by the past 80
A year ago, generalpardon and amnes-
ty, upon the specified terms, we're offered
to all except certain designated classes
and it was at the same time published
that the excepted cases were still within
consemplation Of special elemency.a sisa,
During the year many availed them.
selves of the general provision. aud many
more would. only that the stig ma of bad
faith in some led 10 such precautionary
measures as rendered the practical pro-.
cess less easy and certain. During the
same time also special pardons have been,
granted to individuals of the excepted,
classes, and no voluntary application has.
been denied. Thus practically the door
has been for a full year open to allexcepti
such as were not in condition to make free
choice, that is such as we're in custody or
under constraint. Itisstill soopeu to all,
but the time may come when public duty
shall dep;and that it, be closed, and, that
In lieu, more rigorous measures than here
tofore be adopted.
| present the Abandonment of armed re-
slstance to the national authority on the
part of the Insurgents as the only end
sponsbe condition 10 ending the war on
the part of the Government, and retract
nothing heretofore skid as TO slavery.
Irepcat the declaration made year
ago. that while | remain in my present
position shall not attempt to retract or
modify the Emancipation Procla nation,
nor shall Ireturn to slavery any person
~io is free hy the terms ofthat proclama-.
tion or by any of the acts of Congress.
IF the people should by whatever mode
or means, maye it an executive duty to re-
iRslave such persons. another and not l
must be their instrument to perform it.
in stating single condition of peace, L
mean simply to say that the war will cease
on the part of the government whenever it
shall have ceased onsthe part of those
Who began it. TSigued1 k t.tf-
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
December 9Th 1864