Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1864-12-14

uon OF puohc purpose IN this country is derived
through our popular elections. Judging BY the re-
cent canvass and its results the purpose of the people
within the loyal States the integrity of the
Union was never more firm nor more nearly unan
nous than The extraordinary camness and
good order with which the millions OF met aud
mingled at the polls, give strong assurance of this
Not only all those who supported the Unloa ticket
called, but great majority of the opposing party Al
So may be fairly claimed to entertain and to be actu-
ated by the same purpose.
1t is unanswerable argument to this effect, that
no candidate for any office whatever high or low has
ventured tc seek votes the avowa that he was for
giving up the Union. There has been much impugn-
ing of motives, and much heated controversy to the
proper means and best mode of advancing the Union
cause but the distinct issue of Union Union,
the politicians have shown their instructive knowl-
edge that there is no diversity among the people
In affording the people the fair opportunity of show
ing one to another and to the world the fairness and
unanmity of purpose, the election has been of vast
importance to the national cause
The election has exhibited another fact not less
Proaeh exhaustion IN the most important branch Of
our national resources-that of having men while
it is melancholy to reflect that the has filed
many graves and carried mourning to 80 many hearts,
it is some relief TO know that compared with the
viving, the fallen have been so few.
When corps, and divisions, and brigades and regl-
ments have formed and fought and dwindled and
gone out of existence, great majority of the men
who composed them still living The
of the naval service. The election returns prove
this. So many voters could not be found. The States
regularly holding elections both now and four years
ago. to wit: California, Connecticut, Delaware, ILL.,
nols Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Name, Maryland,
Massachusetts Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri. New
Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon
Pennsylvania, Rhode Island. Vermont West Virginia
and Wisconsin. cast 9S2elI votes now against SsTO-
~ cast then, showing an aggregate now 39S20ll To
this is 10 be added 33 762 cast now In the States
of Kansas and Nevada which States did not vote in
1860, thus swelling the aggregate 40l5773 and the
nett increase during the three years and half of the
war to l4555l. table is appended showing particu-
all soldiers in the field from Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, New Jersey, Delaware Indiana Illinois and
CALIFORNIA; who, by the laws of those States could
vote away from their homes, and which number can
not be less than 10000. Nor yet this ALL the number
IN organized territories is pie what four
years ago, while thousands. white and black, join
as the National arms press back the nsurgent lines.
SO much Is shown attirmatvely and negatively of the
election.
1t is not material to inquire how the increase has
been produced. or TO show that it would have been
greater for the war, which probably true. The inn
portant fact remains demonstrated, we have more
men now than when we began we are not exhausted
or in process of exhaustion; that gaining
strength, and may, if need be, MAINTAIN the contest
indefinitely. and that TO men material resour-
ces are now more complete and abundant than ever
The National resources, then. Exhausted, and
we believe, nexhauStable. The public purpose to
re-establsh and maintain the National authorities il
unchanged, and we believe. Interchangeable. The man
ner of continuing the effort remains to choice. On
careful consideration of ali the evidence accessible
it that anicable goation with the
insurgent leaders would result in any good. He
would accept nothing short of severance of the Un-
ION, precisely what we cannot and Will not give.
His declarations to this effect are explicit and oft
repeated He does not attempt to deceive U.S. he af-
fords no excuse TO deceive ourselves, We cannot
voluntarily yield the Union, and will not yield
Between him and us the issue is distinct and simple
by war and decided by victory.
If we yield We are beaten. If the Southern people
fail HIM, he is beaten. Either way it would be the
victory and defeat following war What true, how
ever of him who heads the insurgent cause, not
necessarily true of those who follow
Although he cannot re-accept the Union they can.
| Some of them, we know, already desire peace and
Union. The number of such may increase.
They can at any moment have peace simply by lay
ing down their arms and submitting to tie National
authority under the Constitution After much the
| Government could not if it would, maintain war
/ against them.
Loyal people would not sustain allow it. If ques-
| tions should remain, would adjust them by the
peaceful means of legislation conference, courts and
| votes, operating only in constitutional and lawful
are and would be beyond the Executive power to ad-
Just; for instance, the admission of members into
Congress- and whsteyer might require the appropra-
ton of money The Executive power itself would be
greatly diminished by the cessation of actual
Pardons and remssons of forfetures however, would
still be within the Executive control. In what spirit
and temper this control would be exercised, can be
| fairly judged by the past. $50
year ago general pardon and amnesty. upon spe-
ciic terms, were offered to all except certain deslg
mated classes; it was at the same time made known
| ton of special ciemency. During the year many
avaied themselves OF the general provision, and ma
ny more would, only that the signs of bad faith in
some led to such precautionary measures rendered
| the practical process less certain and easy.
During the same time ALSO certain pardons have
been granted TO individuals of the excepted classes
and no voluntary application has been denied.
open to all except such not in condition to
make free choce-that Is such were in custody or
under restraint II is 50 STILL open to ALL But the
time may come, probably will come, when public duty
shall demand that it be closed, and that in lieu,
| vigorous measures than heretofore be adopted.
In presenting the abandonment of armed resistance
to the national authority the part of the insurgents
the only indispensable condition to the ending of
the the part of the Government, retract moth
ing heretofore said to slavery. repeat the decla
ration made year ago, that while remain IN my
present position, shall not attempts retract mod
ify the emancipation proclamation nor shall return
to slavery person who is free by the terms of that
proclamation, or by any act of Con gress.
10 " n
make it an Executive duty to reenslaye such persons
another and not must be their instrument perform
il.
In stating single condition of peace mean simply
TO say that the will cease the part of the Gov
ernnlent whenever it shall have ceased the part OF
those who began 1t.
(Signe,i) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
Washington, Dec. 6, 1854.