Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-07

Jotai...-............. 16Z
To this again should be added thenumber
of al soldiers in the field from MAssachu-
sets, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware,
Indiana, Illinois and California, who by
the law of those States could not vote
away from their homes, and which number
cannot be less than 10000. Nor yet Is Bhis
all. The number in organized Territories
is q trifle more now than what it was four
wears ago, while thousands of white and
black, Join US at the nationalarms and preSs
back the insurgent lines. So much is shown
aflirmatively and negatively, by the ialees
ton. It is not msterisl to enquire how the
increase has been produced or to show that
it would have been greater but for ths
war, which is probably true. a1
The important fact remains demonstrst-
ed, that we have more men now than We
had when the war began. That we are
not exhausted nor in process of exhaustion.
That we are gaining strength, and may, if
need be, maintain the contest indefinitely.
This as to men. Material and resources are
now more complete and abundant than
ever. The national -nsnnrcoa them are un-
hausted. aud as we believe, inexhsustabIe.
Ene public purpose to re-establssh and
AAAiAlAAsfAltA EAAe -4A@lOAaAA RAAklOElLY II uQ-
changed, audsa we believe, unchangeable.
NEGOTIATION WITH REBEL LEADEs M
PoLITIC. -.'-
The nlannor of continuing the efforts re-
mains to choose. On careful considera-
-tiou Of oil tho oVidonC5 accessible -it aAarsas
to me that no attempt at negotiation with
the insurgents leader could result in any
good. He would accept Of nothing short
of the severance of the Union. His declar-
ations to that effect are explicit and oft re.
pested. He does not attempt to deceive
us. He affords US no excuse to deceive
ourselves. We cannot voluntarily yield
it. Between him and US the issue is dis
tnct, simple and inaeXible. It is an issue
which can be tried only by war snd de-
cided only by victory. If we yield we are
beaten. If the Southern people fail him
he is beaten; either ways it twoald be the
victory and defeat following. war. What
IS true, however, Of him who heads tbs
insurgent cause, is mot necessarily true Of
those who follow. Although he cannot
accept the Uunion, they can some of them,
we know, already desire peace and re-
union. The number Of such may increase,
HOW PEACE CAN BE OBTAINED.
They can at any moment have peace, sim
ply by laying down their arms and submit
ting to the national authority under the
Constitution. After so much, the Govern
msnt could not if it would, maintain war
against them. The loyal people would
not sustain oralloWit. If questions should
remain, we would adjust them BY the
peaceful means of legislation, conference,
courts and voters. Operating only in
constitutional and lawful channel, some
certain and other possible questions, snd
would be beyond the eExeeutive power to ad-
just. For instance, the admission of members
into Congress, or Whatever might REQUIRE
the appropriation of money. The ETecu-
tive power itself would be greatly dimin- ]
ished by the cessation Of actual war. Par
dons and and remissions of forfeieures,
however, would still be within executive
control. In what spirit and temper this
control would be exercised can be fairly
ju1ged of by the past. A year ago, gen
ersl pardon and amnesty upon designated
terms were offered to all except certain /
designated classes, and it was Gs the same
time made known that the excepted class
es were still within the contemplation of
special clemency. -
During the year many aVailed them
selves of the general provision and many
more would onlythat the signs Of bad iaith i
In some led to such precautionary measura
as rendered the practical process less easy
and certain, during the same time also
special psrdOns have been granted to indi-
Viduals Of excepted Glasses, and u volun-
tsry application has y been denied. |
Thus, practically, the door has been for a
full year open TO al except such as were
not in condition 20 make free choice: thst |
is, such as were ihScastody or under con-
ltraint. 1t is still opehlto all, but the time |
may come, probably will come, when pub |
lie duty shall demand that it be closed; |
and that, in lieu, more vigorous measures |
han heretofore shall be adopted.
30 STEP BACKWARD On THE QUESTION OF
SLAVERY. --- --
Inpresenting the abandonment of armed |
to the National authority
IN the part Of tha insurgents IS the only !
condition to ending the war /
N the part Of the Government, / retraet
nothing heretofore said as to slavery. I /
epeat the declaration msde year ago,
nd that while remain in my presezt po-
ition l shall not attempt to retract or
modify the emancipation proclamation
Ior shall I return to slsYory any perSon
vho is free by the terms Of that proclamA-
ion or by suy of this acts of Congress.
f the people should, by whatever mode
r means, make it an executive duty 70
e-enslaye such persons, another and not I
lust be their instrument to perform It.
n stating single condition Of peace,
lean simply to say that the war will cease
u the part of the Government whenever
shall have ceased on the part Of those