Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1864-10-20
the Onion, and honorcc It's once glorious
flag, for the rich memories that clustered

I the Onion, and honored It's once glorious
flag, for the rich memories that clustered
around it.
They left il with reluctance and re-
gret toy which history will scarcely do just
ice. They were, as they, are now, welded
to the principles on which the Union was
founded, they separated from it, bat
vind!eated and maintained them. Wheth
er they acted wisely or unwisely must be
left to the impartial arbitrament of time
and coming events. But no people were
ever prompted to SO momentous step by
| loftier devotion to constitutional liberty.
For lbs, we are denounced as rebels a.
gainsa the government Of the United
States, and threatened with the bloody
J, doom of traitors our country is invaded,
our homes desolated and our people slain
| by hostile armies. We are told that we
must be conquered or exterm u, ed. The
North is fighting Us to maintain tue mere
fact or form of Union, by force. We are
defending ourselves, to preserve the great
principles which lay at the foundation OF
the Union. If we be rebels against one,
if disposed to handy epithets, we might
reply that they who advocate and wage
this war against US, are traitors TO the 9th
er. 1t there is wrong on either or both
sides, let impartial history decide who are
the greater sinners This is the naked
truth. When thus viewed, how cruel and
unnatural is this war! Why should the
North fight usl Especially why should
the thousands of the proiessed constitn-
tional. .men of the North lend their coun-
tenance and aid to our subjugation We
are struggling tor principles which should
be as dear to them as they are to us. DO
they not see that our overthrow will be
the downfall of constit utional liberty-ta-
tai to their freedom as we'll as ours-the
inauguration of an irresponsible and un-
limited despotsm Correct ideas are slow
in their progress of leavening the mass of
mind truth is ever trampled upon when
passion gains sway But the ultimate
.prevaleace of the one, and the ascendancy
Of the other is only a question OF time,
and the, md, peace The light already
begins i ak in upon the thinking and
better :. = the Northern people
! They b I sec that this wa. is not wag
+, ed to restore tbe j aion in good faith-the
J, Uuion of the constitution but, either to
secure disunion, by avowed and degrad-
ing terms of psace, or to convert it into a
despotisn by suhjngating the South
Hence tue Chicago movement. Hence
the note of discomfort that is being sound
ed by portion of the press and statesmen
of the North. God opens the light. that
the people of the North may understand
the position which we occupy, and discel n
the volcano that threatens to engulph
their liberty. They will then consider ne
gotiation not only politically, but absolute
)y necessary. Then peace will come, pre-
dicated upon those principles so essential
| to both governments, and all our strifes
and diffic ultes solved in conformity to the
] best interest Of the parties.
! In view of our position, permit me to
repeat, do not see how we can :naugur-
ate any movement likely to lead to an hon
orabe peace. We are the party assailed.
Peace movements must come from the as
sailing party. | would no. be understood
however, as standing upon any point OF
etiquette, as to WHO should take the ini-
| 'tiatlve--I have no snch feeling. all
mean to say is, that in view OF, the avow-
ed policy Of the United States goeernment,
! any advance on our part is already reject
ed before made, and that we cannot make
; any upon the conditions announced by It's
President. / would not hesitate to take
1.-THE initiative II there was the least hope o1
/ a favorable response, or an honorable re
suit. But if the government of the Unit
ed States should pass into other hands, re-
Epndiate the policy Of subjugation, and IN.
Idicate a desire for negotiation, l wonld, II
IIneed be, have our government propose it