The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-12-14

We are beaten if the southern peopls tAij
him, he is beaten-either way it would 6e
the victory and defeat following war. :,
What is true, however, ofhim who heads
the insurgent cause, IS 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
reunion. The number Of such may in-
crease. They can at any moment have
peace, simply by laying down their arms
and submitting to the national authority.
under the constitution. -
After so much, the Government could
not, If it would, maintain war against
them. The loyal people would not sustain
or allow it. II questions should remain.
means Of legislation, conference, courta apd
vote. ...F. ......, -t..s.. r ,,r
Operating only in constitutional and
lawful channels, some certain, and other
possible, questions, are, and would be, BE-
yond the executive power to adjust. For
instance, the admission of Members into
Congress, and whatever might require the
appropriation Of money. The executive
power itself would be greatly dimin:shed
by the cessation Of actual war. Pardon9
and remissions Of forfeiture. however,
would still be within executive control,
In what spirit and temper this control
would be exercised, can be fairly judged BY
the past. A year ago general pardon and
amnesty, upon specified terms, were offered
TO all except certain designated classes, and
it was at the same time made known that
the excepted classes were still within con.
temptation Of special clemency. 49,.
During the war, many availed themselvea
of tho general pardon, and many more
would, only that the signs Of bad faith in
some led to such precautionary measureS
as render the practical process less easy
and certain during the same time. Also
special pardons have been granted to indi.
viduals of excepted classes, and no volun-
tary application has been denied. Thus,
practically, the door has been for full
year open to all, except such as were not in
condition to make free choice that il,
such as were in custody or under restraint
1t is 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 thereof more vigorous mes.
sures than heretofore be adopted, in pre-
sent,ng the abandonment Of armed resis.
lance to the national authority, on the part
Of the insurgents, as the only indispensable
condition to ending the war on the part Of
the government ' E *f a.lss
letract nothing heretofore said. As to
slavery, repeat dhe declaration made 4
year ago-that while l remain in my
present position, l shall not attempt to re-
tract or modify the emancipation proclam..
ton, nor shall return to slavery any per.
son who il free nv the terms of that nrOcla.
nation, or by any Of the acts Of Congress.
If the people should, by whatever mode or
means. make it my executive duty to r..
enslave such persons, another, and notl
must be their instrument to perform it. la
stating single condition to peace, mean
simply to say that the war will cease OF,
the part of the Government whenever il
shall have ceased on the part Of those wha
began it. ~-f
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.