Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-12-10

end, sucn will, through the election, is
most clearly declared in favor Of such con.
slitutional amendment. The most reliable
indication Of public purpose in this coun-
try ia derived through our popular cleo
tions,
THE REBELLION
On careful consideration of all The evi.
dence accessible, 1t seems TO me that no
attempt at negotiation with the insurgent
leader could result in any good. He would
accept OF nothing short of the severance OF
the Union. His declarations to this effect
are explicit and oft repeated, He does
not attempt to deceive US. lie affords US
no excuse to deceive ourselves. We can
not voluntarily yield, Between him and
US the issue is distinct, simple and infex.
ibe. 1t is an issue which can only be
tried by war aud decided by victory. If
we yield we are beaten, If the Southern
people fail him be is beaten. Either way
it would be the victory and defeat follow~
ing war. What ID true, however, of him
who heads the insurgent cause is not nee
cessarily true of those who follow Al
though he cannot reaccept the Union, they
can. Some Of them we know already de-
sire peace and reunion. The number Of.
such may increase They can at any
moment have peace simply by laying down
their arms and sub nitting 10 the national
authority under the constitution. After
SO much the govern Ment could not, if it
would, maintain war against them. The
loyal people would not sustain or allow it.
II questions should relnsn we woul a 3D.
just them by the peaceful means of legsa-
ton, conference, courts and votes, oper-
aing only in constitutional and lawful
channels. Some certain and other posi-
bic q ,estous are and would be beyoud
the executive power to adjust, as Tor in-
stance, the admission oil member. igto
Congress and whatever might require the
approbaticp Of money.
! be executive power Itself would be re-
ally diminished by the cessation Of actual
war. Pardous and remissious of forfeit
ure, however. would still be within execu-
tive control In what spirit aud temper
this control would be exercised can be
fairly judged OF by the past. \ year ago
general pardon and amnesty upon speciti.
ed terms were offered to all except certain
designated classes, aud it was at the same
time made know that the excepted cla.ses
were still within contemplation Of special
clemency. During the year many ayailed
Themselves of the general provision, and
many more would, only that the signs o,
bad faith, in some led to such precaution =
airy measures as rendered the practical
process less easy and certain. During the
same lime, also special rardons have been
granted to individuals of excepted classes,
and no voluntary application hiss been de-
nIod.
Thus, practically the door has been for
full year 'r-' . 60 all, except, such o
were not in condition to mako free choice,
that is, such as were in custody or under
cous,rant. Ii is still so open TO all, bul
the time may come, probably will come,
when public duty shall demand thal il
be c'osed, and that in lieu more vigorous
measures than hcrsloIore shall bs adopted
. Ia presenting tue abandonment of arm :
ed re.I,tanc to the national autho i,y OF
the part of the insurgents as he only in $
dISpen ensabls condition to ending tas wal
III the part OF the government, | rttrac
nothing h3.ptotorc said as to elaycry
repeat the declaration made year ago,
that while 1.remain in my present position
l shall rot attempt Ia rctract or mod y
tho Emancipation irocI ,m4tion, No,
shall return to slavery auy person ahc
. is free by the tcr,ns Of hat proclaim aIiou
or by any Of the acts Of Congress. II tt.
people shonId, by Whatever mode ~
meats, make il an executive duty to re-
/ enslave slch tcrsous, another, aud not
musl be their Instrument to perform il.
: IN stating single condition ol peaoe,
mean sim ply to aythat the war Il cease
on The partSo( the government whenever il
shall have ceased on the part of those who
began it.
/ Signed ABRAHAM LlNCOLN.
! NOBODY is hurt Abe. Lincoln. Asl