Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-03-10

ments OF the past. We merely resisted IN
hovation and tyranny, and contended for
our birthrights and the covenanted princi-
pies of our race. We have had our Cover
nors, General Assemblies and Courts the
same electors, the same corporations, "the
same rules for property, the same subordi-
nations, the same order in the law and the
same magistracy."
When the sovereign States met in coun-
Gill; they, in truth and substance, and in a
constitutional light did not make, but pre-
vented revolution.
Commencing our new national life under
such circumstances, we had right to ex-
pect that we would be permitted, without
molestation, to cultivate the arts of peace
and vindicate on our chosen arena and with
the selected type of social characteristics,
our claims to civilization. II was thought,
too, by many that war would not be resort |
ed to by an enlightened country, except on
the direst necessity. That a people pro-
Tossing to be animated by Christiun senti-
ment, and who had regarded our peculiar
institution as a blot and blur upon the fair
escutcheon of their common Christianity,
should make war upon the South for doing
what they had perfect right to do, and
for relieving them of the incubus which,
they professed, rested upon them by the as
:. sociation, was deemed almost beyond belief
by many of our wisest minds. 1t was hop
ed, too, that the obvious interest of the two
sections would restrain. the wild frenzy of
excitement and turn into peaceful channels
the thoughts of those who had but recently
been invested with power in the United
States.
These reasonable anticipations were DOOM
ed to disappointment. The red glare OF
battle kindled at Sumter, dissipated all
| la..o, - ,1oooo onJ tho fun Gouornp, apt
T were arrayed in hostility against each other.
We charge the responsibility of this ,odr on
the United States. They are accountable
for the blood and havoc and ruin it has eau
sed. For such war we were not prepared.
The difference in military resources between
our enemies and ourselves; the immense
advantage possessed in the organized ma
chinery of an established Government /; a
powerful navy; the nucleus of an army !;
credit abroad, and illimitable facilities in
mechanical manufacturing power, placed
them on the vantage ground.
In our infancy we were without seaman
or soldier, without revenue, without gold
or silver, without recognized place in the
family of nations, without external COM
merce, without foreign credit, with the
preudices of the world against us. While
we were without manufacturing facilities to
supply our wants our ports were blockaded;
we had to grapple with giant adversary,
defend two thousand miles of sea coast. II
we had succeeded in preventing any success
ses on the part of our enemy it would have
been miracle. What we have accomplish.
ed, with population so inferior in mum
bers, and means so vastly disproportionate
has excited the astonishment and admira
:. ton of the world.
The war in which we are engaged wa
wickedly, and against all our protests, an,
the most earnest efforts to the contrary
, mission to Washington to adjust all ques
,, tions of dispute between her and the Unite
States. One of the first acts of the Provis
ional Government was to accredit agents
visit Washington, and use all honorabl
means to obtain satisfactory settlement {
'eS all questions of dispute with that Govern
ment. Both efforts failed. Commissioner
were deceived and rejected, and clandestin
al but vigorous preparations were made TO
=" war In proportion to our perseverance
n and anxiety have been obstinacy and AFRO
gance in spurning offers of peace. 1t seem
a. we can be indebted for nothing to the vii
m tues of our enemies We are obliged t
of his vices, which have Injured to our strengt
it, and owe as much to his insolence an
Sc blindness as to our precaution.
IS, ed it was accepted. The alacrity wit
en- which our people flew to arms is worthy q
of all praise. Their deeds of heroic daring
le- patient endurance, ready submission to dis
cipline, and numerous victories are in KEEP
We ing with the fervent patriotism that promr
in ted their early volunteering. Quite recent
nd ly scores of regiments have re-enlsted fo
&C. the war, testifying their determination
in fight until their liberties were achieved
he Coupled with, and contributing greatly
er- the enthusiastic ardor, was the lofty coul
Mt, age, the indomitable resolve, the self-deny
,or ing spirit of our noble women, who,
their fabors of love, their patience of hope
IN their unhinching constancy, their. uncon
Try planning submission to, privations OF wa
,m have shed an immortal lustre upon the
in sex and country.
on Our army is no hireling soldiery.
,rn comes not from paupers, criminals or EN-
oy- grants. 1t was originally raised by the fire.
,n- unconstrained, unpurchasable assent of I'll
ac- men. All vocations and classes contribute
tly to the swelling numbers. Abandoning lu!
Om ures.apd comforts to which they had bee
in. accuy CGhed, they submitted cheerfully
de- the scanty fare and exactive service of ii
for camps Their services above price, the O
of ly remuneration they have sought is ii
re- protection of their affairs, fresides and Ebert
bic. In the Norwegian wars the actors wer
the every one of them, named and patronics
ed, ly described as the Kings friend and COZ
ple panion. The same individuality has be-
and seen in this war; Our soldiers are not
yer consolidated mass, an unthinking machlr
ong but an army of intelligent units :.
SO To designate all who have distinguish
liti- themselves by special valor would be
enumerate nearly all in the army. L
the generous rivalry between the troops frc
per- different States has prevented any spec
- pre- eminence, and hereafter, for centuri
, SO to come, the gallant bearing and unconqut
fail able devotion Of the Confederate soldit
ical will inspire the hearts, and encourage t
gh- hopes, of all who labor to obtain their ire
ers, dom.
less For three years this cruel war has be
is a waged against us, and its continuance
ght been seized upon as pretext by, some d
cad contented persons to excite hostility to. t
ded Government. Recent and public has be
;ion these occurrences, it is strange that IN
less apprehension exists as to the conduct OF t
one two Governments in reference to peace.
rva- Allusion has been made to the unsucce
bic full efforts, when separation took place,
nee procure an ainicable adjustment of all m
With ters in dispute These attempts at negot
his ton do not compromise all that has bt
793, done. In every form in which express
enc could be given to the sentiment-in. pull
opt meetings, through the press, by legislat
resolves s-the desire of this people for pea
n - an ;oymanf of III