Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1864-10-13

Rd6it
,s u Sbsf sAa u vsAs is s@A ssssss al sstslssss
spbeet 10 no restrictions except such are expressed
IN the Federal Constitution. On these the Uoion
was based and constituted the solemn guarantee
Of ell, that each Safe should be protected In
their undsturbed enjoyment When 1t failed
to do this; or what Is worse, when the government
passed INTO the administration Of hose whose avowed
policy and measures must lead to the overthrow OF
those principles, Was virtually OF an end, snd In tne
opinion ceased to be valuable to the people OF the Con-
federate States Hence secession not resorted 70
merely to throw off the Union Our people loved the
Union and honored its onc4- glorious dag, for the
rich memories that clustered around It. Tney LETT u
with reluctance and regret to which history will scarce.
" do jusce. They were, they are now, welded 10
the principles on which tho Union was founded they
separated from It, but to vindcate and maintan item
Whether they acted wisely unwsey must be LETT TO
the imperial srbilrament Of time and coming events
But no people were ever prompted to 30 mo-
mentous step by loftier devotion 70 constitutional
liberty For this, We are denounced as rtbels
against the Government of the United States, and
threatened With the bloody doom OF traitors;
our country is invaded cur homes desoated and our
people slain by hostile armies. We are told thst We
nust be conquered or exterminated. The North
is fighting rs TO maintain tie mere fact or form Of
Union, by force. We are Offending ourselves, 70 pre-
sVs the great principles which lay at the foundation
of the Union Ii We rebsls oganss the one, If dis.
posed handy epthets We might reply that they who
advocate and wage this ainst are traitors 10
the other II their ia wrong either or both sides,
let imparGl history decide who the greatest sin
pers This Is the naked truth. When thus viewed,
COW cruel and unnatural is this war Why should the
North fight usT Especially Why should the thousands
on ptoltsssd uona Of the NORTH lend their
oountsAance and aid TO our subjugauonf We are
struggling ior principles which snould be as dear 70
them as tpey are 70 Do they not that our over
thIoI will DO the downfall OF constitutional liberty
ia.al to their freedom as well as ouri-the inAu-
gurHtion of an irresponsible and unlimited despoT.
az OoIrsc. ideas Flow In their progress OF
.sAVsDipg NE mass Of mind truth IL ever uampse
uDov, when passion GAINS HHsy. But the uiGl-
,aAts pteTaleloe o. the OIL Q, the sscsndancy Ut
the olnsF 10 only o question OF tme ana their sbd,
pssee The ght already begins ~ break In upon tie
1huKirK and bstEsr portion o. the N0Eshen psops.--
fpst bSEiu 10 ses thaI 70 Nsgsd 20 restore
t,S Uaion in good islth--,hs un.en OF IT'S Ce1suu-
t.,b bat, either 60 secure dsdpion sy AYoWng Inc
posDls and degrading peace or to convert IL
20 despOlism by Bu0iugAtnS TIE soath, HvIos, the
Chicago Venent hrnes the note Ct diso5ntsnt that
l. being sounded by poraon OF the press and atstss>
men Of the North God opened the light that the peo
oe OF the Norm may understand the position WHOM
occupy ana discern the volcano that threatens 70 en-
suli tneir liberty. Tnen they will consider negotiation
not only POLITICALLY but absolutely necessary. Tnen
mace viii come prsdicased upon those principles
ss sI 10 both governments aud ali sIres aud diff
ncues solved conformity 70 the best interest OF the
parties.
view Of our position, permit me to repeat do not
sse how Ue eau naugurste any movements likely to
losd IN An honorable peace. We are the grty ssss.
"a Ps.ce movements must come from the sssalu z
marty " uli net be understood, however, as stand
ing upon eny point OF suqaste, as 70 who should take
the intis,iVe-I nave 10 suca feelings. All mean TO
..v i, that in view OF the ayored pocy Of the United
states Govern ment any Advance our part Is already
rsieoted bsiore made, and that We cannot make any
mon the conditions anneugced by its President
aud not hesitate 10 ske tie niititve there was the
the least hope Of favorable response or An lolerabe
rasult Bug e the Government OF the Ulited Safes
,bouId pass mo other hands, repudlate the policy OF
subiugation, aad indicate desire for negotiation
we1Id II need be, have our Government propose it
-csrtainly accep; the offer off II rendered by the
Fsdtral authortes Slch believe to be the spirit and
tsmper Of our people, Such am satisfied is the sen
ment of the PRECEDENT Of the Confederate States. he
has avoWed IL every occasion which required him 10
allude 20 the subject. The North have peace at
auy moment. All that they need to do is 10 let us
slone-ceass to fight u; ii they prefer, agree 10
0otiate a peace on terms honorable to both parties
We are Willng-alwsys have been willing, and shall
continue 10 be willing. But as long ss they light NJ,
the var must continue. For what can We do but de-
fendY We have no power to STOP their fighting short
of unconditional submission to the terms announced By
the P. esi tent OF the United States.
Are our people prepared ior peace upon these terms
It is an insult to ask the question, unless, indee we
SUPPOSE contrary 10 the whole history Of struggle
that they did count the cost in the beginning and
have TO Just appreciation of tee mighty principles in
VOWED The President Of the Confederate States never
uttered anything true than when be said TO the
unofficial messenger Of President Lincoln tina. i've are
not fighting for slavery, but for the right Of selSo
ernment"
s. long as the people will keep this great
truth in view, and obey the inspiration which
il should knde in the breasts OF reemen they cannot
be conquered. They may have their land desolsted
their property destroyed, their towns aud cities
burned and sacked, but subjugsted they never can
be. We cannot have peace 60 long as the present
rulers of the United Safes in power. We may not
even il the Chicago movement should be successful =
Bat let us wait aud hCps for the charge and for peace
Ii it coue not el must rely upon the omnpotence
of truth and right and the udicious economy ana use
of the means which cd has given U.s. Patience, Tor
titud, c. ursge hope and faith much elements Of
heroic patriotism as they are Of Christian perfection
IL ntspensa TO cherish them With uutting devO-
ton as tue ouly condition on which liberty can be
gained or preserved Her christening from the be cir
niug was the baptism OF blood. She rqlres Der vo-
taries to lock arms aud shields around her altar re-
solved TO die fFesmen rather than live slaves II this
DO the spirit Of he people, Ultimate will be The
reward for their sueriDgs and escri6ces For their
encouragement, history il repete with examples Of
which noae s striking more Inspiring than that
of the revelation OF 1915. Then let there be DO
despo dency-no relaxauon Of effort and energy-no
abatem snt OF courage and heroic resolve.
am, very respectfully,
Your obedient servsn,
HBRscHIL V. JOHNSON.
TWO DAYS LATER FROM THE UNITED