Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-08-04
The War as II Was and as III Is.

| Resoiued, That in this National emergency
we will recollect only our duty to the whole
country that this war shall not be wagcd in
any spirit of oppression, nor for any purpose of
conquest or sublugaton, nor for any purpose of
oyerlhrowing or interfering with the rights or
established Institutions of the States but to de-
feend and maintain the supremacy Of the Con-
stitution, and preserve the Union with all the
untmpaired and that as soon as these objects are
accomplished, the war ought to cease.
With this understanding of the war, as
avowcd by Congress and the Administra-
ton, there was no opposition to it in the
adhcring States. All the men asked for
and thousands more, were willing to enter
the volunteer service.
Things passed on and abolition fanatics
appealed to Mr.. Lincoln to abolish slavery
to issue proclamation for that purpose.
Mr.. Lincoln assured them that such proc
lamaton would be imperative and of no cf
feet; that he had no right to issue it, nor no
inclination to do so. In a few weeks there
after he did issue the proclamation of feman-
cipation, which caused widespread discon-
tent among the people of the North, and
served to unite the people of the South rs
one man.
1t was claimed by the adhcrcnts of Mr..
Lincoln that the Proclamation Of Emanc-
patton was only designed to break the mill
tary power of the rebellion and when that
was accomplished the States should be Sc
cured in all their constitutional rights. II
Legislation for the abolition of slavery con
tinued up to the recent adjournment of Con
grcss; but, those who legislatcd and all who |
justified this legislation declared the war
was not prosecuted for the abolition of sla
very. A large number, perhaps a majority
Of the people, did not believe this.
In 1862, Alexander ii. Stephens, Vice
President of the Confederate States, at
tempted to visit Washington for the pur
pose Of negotiating peace which the South
claimed should be honorable alike to both
sections He came as far as Fortress Mon
roe, dispatch was sent to Mr. Lincoln and
his answer returned that he could not come
to Washington on any such GRAND
Previous to the opening of the present
campaign, Jefferson Davis sent to Wash
ington propositions to end the war on terms
which would prove satisfactory to both par
ties. These propositions Mr.. Lincoln refu-
scd to listen to.
The rejection of these propositions CON
iirmed the people in the belief that the war
was waged for the purpose OF ovcrthrowing
slavery, instead of restoring the Union. II
They could not understand why propositions
of peace should not, at least, be considered;
especially when no harm could result from
unsuccessful attempts at negotiation.
a large majority of the people were OPP
posed to war for the abolition of slavery,
and they are now opposed to it. Hence the
depleted armies could not be filled up with
volunteers, and conscriptions were rcsor-
ted to.
But when, few days ago, agents from
the Confederate States made an attempt to
stay the bloody conflict by proposing a res
toration Of peace and restoration of the
Union on the old basis with all the rights
and privileges Of the several States unm-
paired" Mr., Lincoln was drawn from his
hiding place and declared the object for
which the war is prosecuted in the follow
ing letter:
Executive MNNsIoS,
WASilINGroN, July 18TH, 1861. !
To 'uhom IL may concern
Any proposition which embraces the rcstnra-
! llon OF peace, tho Integrity OF the whole Union
hhu the abandonment of slavery, and which |
comes 10y and with an authority that can con,
,rpi lho armies now AZ war against the United |
Executive Government OF the United States.
ahd WIZ bc met by liberal terms ON other sub
Slhhllnl and collateral points, and the bearer or
ways. ''
lSigncdl ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
The reader will observe that the PROPOSE
tons of the Confederate agents and the two
first propositions Of Mr.. Lincoln exactly
|, agree. They both propose "a restoration
of peace, and the integrity of the whole
Union, Should not every good man be
ready to settle our national difficulties ON
these terms? Arc not ninc-tenths of the
/ people in favor of this2 But Mr. Lincoln
intcrposes a third term 'the abandonment
of slavery And it is this alone which
prevents peace and Union.
Slavery being the creature Of State laws
Mr. Davis has no power to abolish it
Hence he has no right if he had ever SC
It much disposition, to agree to the thirc
\ proposition Of Mr.. Lincoln, and the only
! one in dispute between the parties.
= MIR. Lincoln repeatedly declared he hat
l. no right to interfere with slavery; the Soutl
N declare it to be their legal and Constititu
Q tional right to hold slaves, and that righl
. . they will maintain.
st Then, there is no chance for peace on tn,
terms Of restoration of the Union as i