The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-01-15

S'N 'NJ
brought about, by their management, the
necessity OF what they termed a Sectional
election" Of President, and her seized
upon that a. a pretext to put in practice
weat they assumed TO be the right oil
"pcaceable secession" They undertook
tho revolution OF the Government; but
prepared for and eventually adopted the
alternative Of armed rebellion. We were
not prepared Tor the first onset. We had
armies to gather, and arms and muniions
TO provide for them q navy to collect,
whence rebel leaders, while in power, had
scattered t,and equip it Tor the strife; and
it was only with the lapse OF time that we
realized the magnitude and strength OF
the rebellion. and the elaborate and effect
nal means that the leaders had taken for
its prosecution and success. When all
these things are carefully considered, our
people should not be surprised at the du-
ration Of the conflict, or the cost Of blood
aud treasure ii has involved.
by no act of wrong or oppression did
the people of the Northern States provoke
this rebellion. 1t has no warrant Of JUS
tiIicatiun whatever. We had inffinged
upon no right guaranteed to them by the
Constitution Of the land. We had assent.
ed TO all the compromises they presented
TO us, and Kept our faith; while they vic.
lated, repealed and destroyed at pleasure.
While the great mass of our people, of
both political parties, RETAINED from inter-
iering with their ''peculiar institution"
we first family protested, and then more
resolutely declared against its being made
an engine Of political power, and, Tor this
purpose, extended over territory that
Otherwise should be free. We urged the
Southern people TO confne that "institu.
ton" within its existing limits. and take
with ii ali the guarantees the nation could
give for its quiet and peaceable enjoyment;
but we could not consent that the blight
ing influence OF slavery should be spread
over free territory. merely 10 create Slave
States, in order 10 preserve 'lhe balance
OF political power" For this check 10
their political ambition. the leaders inau-
gura'ed this gigantic rebellion; and a large
portion of their people took upon them
selves its consequences, in an armed at
tempt to destroy a government under
which they had been prosperous and hap.
py,--to dissolve n Union Of States that
had been their protection and Strength
without contemplating the possibility of
failure, or the fact that success must i'm
poverisli rather than benefit their condi.
lion.
According 10 tho magnitude Of this rebel
ZION. tho result Of a restoration of our Gov.
eminent and Union will be potent in its in
%llucncc, not only upon ourselves but the
civilized world. 1t involves the question of
mans capacity for self.govornment. The
ISSUE is on trial. whether a government rest
ing solely with the poo1'e, and controlled by
delegated powers. possesses tho elements of
strength and unity to protect itself and as
sort It's sovereignty in such an emergency as
a great revolution or rebellion inaugurated
among a portion Of its own people for its
destruction. When this fact shall be dem.
onstrated. as tho loyalty of tho great mass
OF our people gives unmistakablo evidence
that it viii! DO, it establishes at once the sta
bility of our form of governmcnt,--it vindi.
Gates the integrity aud Intelligence Of our
peop'e,--it will stand forth as a warming to
future attempts ut rebollion,-while it will
constitute n pago in history that tho patriot
and phi%lanthropist OF other lands may con-
template with prido aud hopefulnoss.
As va have not provoked this war, but
sought rather to avoid il, wo are not rospon-
slblo for its consequences to its projectors
and their followers. II the people of tie
southern States feet It's burlhens and dovas.
tatIng Influences, it is because they have in.
yltnl Than If cpTrpw mud cntI,tinr and
misery hnyo been brought to their hearth
stones, it is because thoy would rot be con-
font with peace and prosperity ;-if Cypress.
and tyranny arc tho features of tho
power they hnvO invoked to rulo them, IL is
because ihoy suffered themselves to DO SO.
ducod from the government that had so long
protected and blessed thom iii lhey arc
stepped in dobt, impoverished and rnined, il
is because thew have preferred these to a
condition of tfluGnCo and plenty if their
agriculture is smitton, and their
is destroyed, it is because thcv have nssailed
tho interest that tostercd tho ono, and at.
tempted to strike down tho flag that has
protected tho other ;-if thor institution of
human slavery is now dying in their midst,
it is because they havo smitten il with thor
own hands, -bocauso thoy made il an ole
ment of the rebellion. because they sought
to change its character from u domestic in.
stitution, under tho protection of tho Con.
stitution and laws, to tho gigantic form of n
political power that should rule and desc
late tho land. Tho iruits arc of tho tree
they have planted and tho hand that
reared it can alone be censured tor their Bit
terness. Time, repentance aud loyalty will,
In most instances. relieve them from tho
consequences of thoir folly and crime
Poaco, prosperity and plenty may como
again; but they cannot expect tho nation to
restore al tnoy have destroyed. They can.
not reasonably ask that we should restore to
life and vitality again tho active agent of
this rebellion, They cannot claim for tho
institution of slavery any further privilege
aud immunity than tho pooplo of tho North
orn Statos may 500 proper to oytond to it.
As We approach tho ond of this contest, it
is natural that a portion of our people
should display some anxiety to anticipate it,
with plans and propositions that. upon su.
pcrnclal examination, may promise TO
hasten its adjustment.
We want peace-the North as we'll as the
South but VIC have not passed tho terrible
ordeal OF the last three years to make or &C.
cept peace upon any other than honorable
terms, or without tho promise OF permanent
ad justmcnt and endurance. We cannot no.
goIiato with rebels in arms, or admit of any.
thing from them but unconditional surren.
der aud submission, Much we can pnrdon