The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-03-09
4 sasss g s e q. ssoS Ss ssss .s Ssas

to 1t on any terms that we could possibly con-
clsde.zIn proof Of this we refer to there
Feated rejection of all terms of Cancellation
and eompromise; to their recent eontemptuous
ffefnsakz<te receive -the@Vice-President.
who was sent to negotiate for softening the
asperities of war; and their s~cornful rejection
OF the offer for a neutral power to mediate be-
tween the cortending parties. The motive Of
such strange conduct is obvious; the Republic
can party was founded to destroy slavery an3
the equality OF the ~states, and Lincoln was a..
lecie ed a. the Instrument to accomplish this OBJ
ject. 5sssadf sd sssa.sq - -"
2 The Union vas a barrier to the -eonsummo.
ton OF this policy, because tho Constitution.
which was Its bond, recognized and protected
slavery and the sovereignty of the states The
Union must therefore be sacrificed, and to in.
sure its destruction war was determined upon.
Tho masses of the Northern people were not
priyy to and sympnthisers in such a design.
They 1ovedthe Union and winhed to preserve
it: 70 rally the people to the support of the
war, its object was proclaimed to be a restora
ton of tbs Uuion, as if that which voluntary
consent, of which agreement was an indispen-
sable element and conditions could be prsserv-
ed by coercion.
1t is absurd to pretend that q Government
really DESTROYS Of restoring tho Union, would
Adopt such measures as the cenfscation Of pri-
vate property, the emancipation of slaves, sys-
tematize efforts to incite them to insurrection,
forcible abduction from their homes, and com.
Fuisory enlistment in the army, the division
Of a sovereign State without its consent, and
a proclamation that one-tenth of the popuIa-
ton of a State, aud that tenth under military
rule, should control the will of the remaining
nine-tenths. The relation between the two
i~gections under such policy, is that CT CONQUER
or and conquered, superior and dependent. 1t
would hardly be far TO assert that all the
Northern people participate in these designs
On the contrary, there exists q powerful polit-
ical party, who openly condemns them. The
Administrator have, however, been able, thus
far, by its enormous patronage and its lavish
expenditures, torednce, or by its legions of
Hessian mercenaries to overaWe the masses, |
to control the elections, and to establish an ar
Ibitrary despotism.i 1t canrot Be possible that
this state of things can continue.
The people of the United States, accus-
toned to freedom, can not consent to be ruin
ed and enslaved In order to ruin and e~nslaye
us. Moral, like physical epidemics, have
their allotted periods, and must sooner or la
ter be exhausted and disappear. When rea-
son returns our enemies viii probably reflect
that a people ike ours, VIII, have exhibited
such capabilities and extemporized such re-
sources, can 4 aver be subdued; that q vast
C4pduSC w CtLAlO4l MILL uCul u = pOpuldllOus 1
can not be governed as an obedient colony.
Until some evidence is given of a change
of policy on the part of the Government, and
some assurance is received that efforts at me-
COLLATION. viii not be spurned, the Congress
are of opinion that any direct overtnres for
peace would compromise our self-respect. be
of good, and interpreted by the enc
my as an Indication of weakness. We can
only repeat the desire of the people for peace
and our readiness to accept terms consistent
with the honor, integrity and independence of
States, and compatible with tho safety of
our domestic Institutions. We have no alter
native but to do our duty. We combat for
property, homes, the homer of our wives, the
future of>ouf children, fhe preservation of
our fair land from pollution, to avoid q doom
which We can read both in the threats of our
enemies and the acts Of oppression We hays
to. |,
The situation is grave, but furnishes no
lust excuse for dependency. Instead of
criticisms on the Government and our
Generals, instead of bewailing the failure to-
accomplish impossibilities, We should rather
be grateful for the results that have rewarded
,ur labors. Remembering the disproportion
population, in military and naval resources
ind the deficiencies of skilled labor in the
South, our accomplishments have surpassed
hose Ct any people in the annals of the world
There is no just reason for hopelessness or
ear. ~
Since the outbreak of the war the South
has lost the nominal possession of the M@issis-
,ippi River and fragments OF her territory
1ut Federal occupancy is not conquest. The
Tres of patriotism still burn unqueuchable in
breasts of those who are subject TO for
sien domination. We yet have in our unin-
serrupted control a territory, which, accord
ing to rast progress, will require the enemy
en- years TO overcome. The enemy is not
rec from difficulties. With an enormous
iebt, the financial convulsion long postponed
$ surely coming. The short crops in the
United States and the abundant harvest in
Europe will hasten what was otherwise incYi-
able.
Many sagacious persons at the North dis
sotefih the usurpations of their Government
The certain overthrow of their liberties.
A large number revolt from the unjust war, and
would gladly bring it to an end. others look
With alarm on the complete subversion of con-
freedom by Abraham Lincoln, and
in their own persons the bitterness of tho
slavery which three years of war have failed
infict upon the South. Brave and earnest men
1t the North have spoken outagainst The usur-
and cruelty daily pr:ctieed. The sue
cess of these men over the radical and despot-
10 faction which now rules the North, may
open the way to peaceful negotiation. and a
of this bloody and unnecessary war.
In conclusion W exhort our fellow citizens
to- be of coed cheer, and spare no labor nor
that may be necessary to enable us
to- win the campaign upon which We, have
entered. We have passed through great
trials of affection, bat suffering and h1milia-
ton are schoolmasters that lead nationsto self
and independence: We beg that the
and resources of the country, which
are ample, may be scld to the Government. to
support and equip its armies. Let all the
spirit Of faction and past party differences be
in the preaence of onr cruel foe.