The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1864-01-21


lies have been impoverished and ruined.
Political misunderstanding men, who
havo secretly plotted the overthrow
of our Goverument-led few, but ac-
tually forced q majority of the South
e5n States into secession and rebellion,
and the military power now holds them
there. .......
Future history will record that, per-
haps with two exceptions, the ordinance
Of secession would not have been car
ried in any of the seeding States, if
the people could have been permitted a
fair, uncontrolled election by ballot up
on it. But they were overwhelmed by
fraud and fOrce-aud then they we're
told, according to the improved theory
of State rights, that whe enever major
ity of a State had resolved to commit
treason, the minority we're bound not
only to submit, but to share the sin and
shame. Those whom argument failed
to convince, the military despotism has
silenced, for the time being.
There has been great deal said about
the North seeking to subjugate the
South. We have sought nothing of
the kind. The political and military
leaders of this rebellion it is who have
subjugatcd the people of the Southern
States; trampled upon their political
rights, and involved them in the crime
of treason, with its accompaniment of
civil war. The triumph Of the North
ern armies and the restoration of the
old Government is, in truth, the deliv
erance of the people of the South; and
they will so hail it hereafter.
There are but two ways in which the
restoration of peace and the Union is to
be accomplished: first, the uncondition-
al surrender Of the leaders and the
rebellion; or second, the continued pro-
gress and conquests of our arms until
the military power Of the Confederacy
is broken, and the heart Of the rebellion
crushed. All intermediate plans or
schemes are mere palliatives, that, like
our compromises of the past fifty years,
will only serve to procrastinate existing
evils; restoring peace that will require
constant watehfulness and concessions;
and prosperity that will be dependent
upon almost annual sacrifices to avoid
future demands and insurrcctions. II
view of the permanence of our Govern.
ment and the integrity of our Union
there is no such thing as compromise
with rebels in arms against both. TURF
from it as we may, the great truth is ap
parent to every reasoning mind, tina
submission or sutjugatiOn, for the lead
ers of the rebellion, are the only effec
tive means of restoring peace and gOot
government again.
The first of these is not likely to oc
cur in the preseut posture of affairs, no
as long as hope, however blind and un
reasonable, will serve to shield from de
spair the fortunes Of the civil and mill
tary heads of the rebellion. The &c
ond therefore constitutes our only Ger
tain means of success. In its progress
to this end our gallant army has two
fold mission to fulfill. Tho first is t
press back, step by step, if necessary
the military power of the ConfederAc
; from the usurped soil Of the secedin
) States; aud eventually to subdue tha
, power and bring it to terms of peace
: The second to develOpc the principle @
, loyalty in tho relieved people, and pro
tect them in its exercise and enjoy
, ment, while they restore the civil funC
; tions of their State Governments, an
r unite them again with their sister State
, under the provisions Of tho Nations
0 Constitution.
? 1t is objected, perhaps, that the 10y;
I people of the South are too few n nun
bers to assume, or be trusted with, tn
powers Of the State Govern ments.
fair test will demonstrate this assumE
tion to be unwarranted. In additio
e to the large body who, in almost ever
Southern State, opposed the ordinance
of secession, many thousands have bee
G converted by the progress, and man
. thousands more will be released an
. flock to the standard upon the SUI
. preston, Of the rebellion and the sui
9 jugation of its military power. Th
; lessons of privations, suffering and mi,
. cry entailed upon the people of th
. South by the wicked leaders of this wa
t will suffice at least for the present gen
! GRAFTON; and with q wholesome and b.
. nc6cent Government again restored
, loyal or repentant people, will live i
a history as a warning TO future generl
; tions not lightly to put in peril Of Dc