The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-03-09
Mr.. Fillmore on the War.
His Address at the Christian
Commission Central Fair.
I'm Buffalo. '-a =

At the opening OF the great Central
Fair, inaugurated by the Christian Com
mission at St. James Hall, B.falo, Mon
day evening, Hon. Millard Fillmore spoke
as follows: Ia F-ta
Three years of civil war have desolated
the fairest portion of our land; loaded the
country with an enormous debt that the
sweat of millions yet unborn must be
taxed to pay; arrayed brother against
brother, and father against son in mortal
combat; deluged our country with fra
ternal blood, whitened our battle fields
with the bones of the slain, and darkened
the sky with the pail of mourning. Yet
these appalling calamities-which as yet
have touched our city more lightly than
any other in the land-have imposed upon
us new duties which must be promptly
met and generously discharged; and new
burdens which must be patiently and
icheerfully borne. We cannot, in our
humble capacity, control the events of
this deselating war. We hear its thun-
ders and mark the track of desolation, and
we must meet the emergency as best we
can, but never despair of the republic.
1t is no time now to inquire whether it
might have been avoided. Let those who
seek light on this subject read WASH
ington's Farewell Address. Nor are We
now to critieIse the conduct OF those who
control it, awarding praise here, and be-
slowing censure there. The impartial
historian will do this when the passions
engendersd by the strife have cooled, and
partisan prejudice, petty jealousies, ma
lignant envy, and intriguing, selfish am
bition shall be laid in the dust. and, it is
hoped, buried in oblivion. And much
less are we called upon to predict when
or how. this war will end. Let those who
seek light ON the subject read General
Jackson's farewell address. But let US
hope that an all-wise and merciful Provi-
dence will incline the hearts Of the peo-
pie, North and South, to peace-to a
lasting peace, with restored Union, ce-
mented by fraternal affection, under our
we'll tried and glorious Constitution. Nor
is this the time or place to express an
opinion as to the policy that should be
pursued to reach So desirable an end. But
o4le thing Is clear, that nsurh mast be for
gotten, on bofh sides, before ttis Union can
erer be restored; and therefore it is to be
hoped that Ill unnecessary acts of cruelty,
or wanton destruction of priva.e proper
ty, or insult, or insolence in triumphing
over q fallen foe should be avoided; Tor
all such acts only FIRE the heart Of our
adversary with resentment and revenue,
and thus protract the war, increase its
horrors, and leave sting which will rem
der reunion more difficult, if n,timpossi-
BILE. But it mast be apparent to all that
the first step toward bringing this war to
a close is to conquer the rebel army. Any
negotiations for peace before this is done !
would prove abortive; and any professed
ciemencv to those in arms who defy our
power, would be a mockery which would
be treated with riIicule and contempt
Bnt when we have conquered their armies,
and disposed Of their leaders, then let US
show our magma ,imity and generosity by
winning back the deluded multitude who
have been seduced or coerced into this
rebellion. by eSteneling 10 Them euery oct
of .ciemeHcy and kandittss IN our po'cer, !
and by restoring thrns TO al fheir rights
nader the Constifnfion This 1 comreive 10
BE- Christian forgiveness and ths best p"iicy, |
and the only one ,ohich can eUer restore
this Union. aiiiisF $50 .hesi s3Hj
We call attention to the speech of ex
President Fillmore at a local celebration
of Washing tons birthday in Buffalo.
When statesmaniof Mr.. Fillmore char
acter and experience gives his views,
however incidentally, on the great topics
Of the time, the whole country viii be
likely to read them with the. attention and
consideration due TO the judgment of a
and prominent actor in this
great sectional controversy at an earlier
stage Of its developments. 'he wise and
healing measures of his excellent admin
istration restored the country from agita-
ton to quiet; and had similar policy
been adopted in the early part Of 1861 to
that which was SO successful ten years be-
fore, the terrible war might have been
avoided whose vigorous prosecution is
now SO strongly urged by Mr.. Fillmore.
-