The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-08-10

eU. w HoEc IOrCSu 10 ulssOIVc our Il cd
sral connection with our former associates
by their aggressions on the fundamental
principles OF our compact of union with
them; and in doing so we exercised a right
consscrated in the great character of
American hberty-the right of free
people, when a Government proves de-
structive of the ends for which it was es-
tablished. to recur to the original princi-
Piles, and to institute new guards for their
security. The separate independence Of
the States, as the sovereign and co-equal
mem bers Of the Federal Union, had never
been surrendered, and the pretensions Of
Applying to independent communities, so
constituted and organized, the ordinary
rules for coereing and reducing rebellions
subjects to obedience, was a sslccism in
terms, as well as an outrage on the prin,
ciples of public law.
The war made upon the Confederate
States, was therefore, wholly one of ag-
gressien. On our side it has been strictly
defensive. Born freemen and the 6escen-
dants of gallant ancestry, We had no
option but to stand up in defense of our
invaded fresides, of our dssecrsted altsrs
IL IL.
and of the prescriptivs institutions which
guard and protect them. We have not
interfered, nor do we wish in any manner,
whatever, to interfere with the internal
peace and prosperity sf the States array
ed in hostility against Us, or with the
freest development of their destinies in
any form of action or line OF policy they
may think proper to adopt for themselves.
A we ask is like immunity for our
selves, and to be left to ourselves in the
undisturbed enjoyment of those inaliena-
bic rights of +" life, liberty and the pur-
suit OF happiness, which our common
ancestors declared to be the equal herit-
age of all the parties of the social com
pact.
"Let them forbesr aggressions upon
US and the war is ended If there be
questions which require adjustment By
he egotiations, We have ever been Wiling,
aud are still willing to enter into oommu-
nication with our adversaries in a spirit
of peace, Of equity, and Of manly frank
ness. Strong IN the persuasion of the
Justice of our cause, in the manly devo-t
ton of our citizen soldiers, and of the
whole body of our people, and above all
in the gracious protection of Heaven, we
are not afraid to avow sincere desire for
peace on terms consistent Dith our honor
and The permanent security Of our rights,
and an earnest aspiration to see the world
once more restored to the bene6cent pur-
suits of industry and Of mutual inter
course and exchanges, so essential to its
well being, and which have been so grave
lv interrupted by the existence of this
unnatural war in America.
& But if our adversaries or those whom
they have placed in power. deaf to the
voice of reason and Justice, steeled to the
dictates Of prudence and humanity by a
pgssumpti,e and dslusive confidence in
their own numbers, or those of their
black and foreign mercenariss, shall de-
te~rine upon an indefinite prolongation
OF the contests, upon than be the re.pon-
sibilitv of a decision 30 ruinous to them
selves and so injurious to the interest and
repose Of mankind
For ourselves, we have ne fear of the
result The widest picture ever drawn
by dis"rdsred Imagination comes short
of the extravaganza which would dream
of the conquest Of eight millions of peo-
pie, resolved with one mind "to die free
men rather than live slaves" and FORE
warned by the savage aud exterminating
spirit in which this war has been waged
upon them, and by the mad avowals OF
the supporters OF the worse than Egyp-
ian bondage that awaits them in the event
of their subjugation With these decla.
rations OF our dispositions, cur pripci-
PIES and our purposes, we commit our
cause to the enlightened judgment of ths
world, to the soOer reflections OF our ad
versaries themselves, and to the solemn
and righteous srbitrament of heaven.