The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1864-01-21

the question of mans capacity for self
government. The issue is on trlal
whether Government, resting solely
on the people, and controlled by dele
gated power, possesses the elements of
strength and unity to protect itself and
assert its sovereignty in such an emer
gency as great revolution Or rebellion
inaugurated among portion ofits own
people for its destruction. When this
fact shall be demonstrated, as the 10y
atty Of the great mass of our people
gives unmistakable evidence that 1t
will be, it establishes at once the sta
bility of our form Of government, i'll
vindcates the integrity and intelli.
gcnco of our people; it will stand forth
as warning to future attempts at re-
belion, while it will continue page
in history that tho patriot and phil
ontrophist of other lands may contem-
plate with pride and hopefulneSs.
As VIC have not provoked this war,
but sought rather to avoid it, we are
not responsible for its consequences to
its projectors, and their followers. If
the people of the Southern States feels
its burtheus and devas tating influences,
it is because they have invited them
if sorrow, and suffering, and misery
have been brought to their hearth
stones, it is because they would not be
content with peace and prosperity; II
oppression aud tyranny are the features
of the power they have invoked tosrule
them, it is because they suffered them
selves to be soduced the from Govern
ment that had so long protected and
blessed them; if they are stepped IN
debt, impoverished and ruined, it is be-
cause they have preferred these to
condition of affluence aud plenty; ii
their agriculture is smitten, and their
commerce is destroyed, it is because
they have assailcd the interest that has
fostered the one, and attempted to strike
down the flag that has protected tho
other; if their institution of hu-
man slavery is now dying in their
midst it is because they have smitten
it with their own hands-because they
made it an element of rebcllon--be
cause they sought to change its charac
ter from a domestic institution, under
the protection of the Constitution ant
its laws, to the gigantic form of polit
, ical power, that should rule and desc
late the land. The fruits are Of the tret
r they have planted, and the hand tina
g reared it can alone be censured foI
their bitterness. Time, repentance, anC
, loyalty will, in most instances, reliev,
; them from the consequences of thei
folly and crime. Peace, prosperity
C and plenty may come again ; but the.
r cannot expect the nation to restore al
c they have destroyed. They canno
f reasonably ask that they should restore
to life aud vitality again the activ
agent Of this rebellion. They canno
claim for the institution Of slavery an
further privilege or immunity than til
people of the Northern States may sc
proper to extend to it.
AS we approach to the end Of thi
contest, it is natural that a portion o
It our people should display some anxiety
| to anticipate it, with plans and proposi
c tions that, upon superficial exnmina
tioh, may promise to hasten its ADJUST
ment
We want poace--the North as we'll a
d the South, but we have not passed tn
I terrible ordeal Of the last three years, t
i make or accept peace upon any othe
than honorable terms, or without tn
C promise Of permanent adjustment an
c endurance. We cannot negotiate wit
s rebels in arms, or admit of anythin
c from them but unconditional surrende
and submission. Much VIC can pardo
c to the masses of the people, but tn
O leaders must reap of the harvest the
d have sown. The past has its punishmer
e that may be mitigated or forgiven; bu
C the future must have full and ampl
s security. ..... ..
c Tits simple folly to talk of suppress
= ing this rebellion and restoring tn
r unity Of the country, without first sui
T. jugating the military power eff the Cor
Il federacy, or relieve the people of ii
y seeded States from its controlling il
j. auence-and, in many cases, oppros
n on. 1t does not follow that the de-
It tructiou Of the military powers of tn
! South is the subjugation of the peopl
i in many cases it will prove their Ell
j. franchisement. There is loyal sci
timent aud population in nearly, if nj
is quito all tho Southern States, Whe
IT too strong or too open in its manifesto
| ha hoa