Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-12-16
Vol 81. No. 81


| Of course the abstract question Is not changed,
but an intervening election shows almost certainly
that the next Congress viii pass the measure if this
| one does not hence there is only a question of
| time as to when the proposed amendment win go
to the States for their action, and as it is to go
at all events, may we not agree that the sooner the
better.
| 1t is not claimed that the election has imposed
/ duty on members to change their views their
votes any further than an additional element to
be considered how far their Judgment may be effect
ed by 1t. is the voice Of the people now for the
first time heard upon the question. In great ma
| tonal crisis like ours unanimity of action among
/ those seeking common and is very desirable-al
most Indispensable yet no approach to such
unanmity is attanable unless some Difference shall
be paid to the Will of the majority simply because it
s-the Will OF the majority. In this case the com
mon end IS the maintenance Of the Union and o.
mong the means tosecure that end such will through
the election, is most clearly declared in favor of
such constitutional amendment The most reliable
indication Of public purpose in this country is de-
rived through our popular elections. Judging by
the recent canvass and its result the purpose of the
people within the loyal States maintain the integ
rty of the Union was never more firm, nor more
nearly unrnimous than now.
The extraordinary calm ness and rood order with
which the millions of voters met and mingled at the
polls give strange assurance of this. Not only all
those who supported the Union ticket, SO called but
great majority of the opposing party also may be
fairly claimed to entertain and TO be actuated BY the
same purpose.
1T is an unanswerabIe argument to this effect that
no candidate for any Office whatever, high or low,
has ventured to seek votes on the avowal that he
was for giving up the Union. There has been much
lmpugnlng OF motives and much heated controversy
as TO the proper means and best mode of advancing
the Union cause but the distinct issue of Union
or no Union, the politicians have shown their instnc-
tive knowledge that there is diversity among the
people In afording the people the fair opportunity
Of showing one to another and to the world this
of
been of vast value to the National cause.
The election has exhibited another fact, not less
valuable to be known. The fact that we do not ap-
proach exhaustion in the most important branch of
national resoureesthat of living men. While it is
menancholy to reflect that the war has lledso many
graves and carried mourning to so many hearts, is
some relief to know that, compared with the sur
wing, the fallen have been so few. While corps
and divisions and hrigades and regiments have
| formed and fought and dwindled and gone out of
existence; great majority of the who com
posed them are still living The same is true of the
naval service.
The election returns prove this. So many voters
could not be found The States regularly holding
elections, both now and four years ago. to wit Cali
fornia Connecticut Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, To-
va, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire
New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon Pennsy lvania
| Rhode Island, Vermont, West Yirgniaand Wiscon-
SIN cast ,982 OF votes now against 8, SIC, ,222 cast
then; showing an aggregate now of 3,9820fl To
hls to be added 49, 62 cast now, in the newStates
OF Kansas and Nevada, which States did not vote in
1860 thus swelling the aggregate to 4,015,775 and
the nett increase during the three years and q half
| Of the war 145. .551. A table is appended, showing
PaltcsiiaTs 70 this again should be added the mum
Der OF all soldiers in the field from Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, New Jersey, Delaware, Indiana hi
nols and California who BY the laws of those States
could not vote away from their homes and which
number cannot be less than 10000. Nor jet il this
all The number in organized Territories IS triple
| / was foTfrv Will
white and blackjon US, as the National arms press
| back the insurgent lines So much is shown affirm
atively and negatively by the election.
is not material TO inquire how the increase has
been produced, or to show that it would have been
greater but for the war, which is probably true
the important fact remains demonstrated that we
have more men than we had when the war be-
gan that We not exhausted, nor in process of
exhaustion that we are gaining strength, and may, if
need be maintain the contest indefinitely. This as
to men. Material resources are now more complete
and abundant than ever. ss
The national resources then are eunexhausted. and,
as we believe, inexhaustabe. The public purpose
to re-establsh and maintain the National authority
| IS unchanged, and, we believe, Interchangeable. The
manner of continuing the effort remains to choose
On careful consideration of all the evidence aecessi
bic, it seems to me that attempt at negotiation
with the insurgent leader could result in any good
He would accept nothing short of severance Of the
Union-precisely what we cannot and VIII not give.
bis declarations to this effect are explicit and oft
| repeated. He does not attempt to deceive us. He
affords us no excuse to deceive ourselves He cam
not voluntarily reaccept the Union we cannot vol
unfairly yield. Between him and the issue is dis
tnc9 simple, and inhexible. 1t is an issue which
can only be tried by war and decided by victory. If
we yseld-we are beaten If the Southern neonIe
fail him, he is beaten. Either way, it would be the
victory and defeat following war. What is true,
however, of him who heads the insurgent cause is
not necessarily true of those who follow. They can
at any moment, have peace simply by laying down
their and submitting to the National authority
under the Constitution After so much the Gov.
ernment could not, if it would maintain war against
them. Although he cannot re-accept the Union,
they can. Some of them, we know, already desire
peace and Union. The number of such may increase
Loyal people would notsustain allow it. If ques-
tons should remain, we would adjust them by the
peaceful means oflegislaton, conference courts and
votes, operating only IN constitutional and lawful
channels. Some certain and possiblequestions
are, and would be beyond the Executive power to
adjust, as, for instance, the admission Of members
into Congress, and whatever might require the APP
| preparation of money The Executive power itself
would be greatly diminished by the cessation of ac
| tunl war. Pardons and remissions Of forfeit
ures however, would still be within Executive
CONTROL In wbatspirit and temper this controlwonid
be exercised, can be fairly judged Of by the past
A year ago general pardon and amnesty, upon
specified terms, were offered to all except certain
designated classes, and it at the same time made
known that the accepted classes were still in contem
platon of special clemency.
During the year many availed themselves of the
general provision, and many more would only that
the signs OF bad faith in some led to such precau-
tlonary measures as rendered the practical process
less easy and certain. During the same time also.
special pardons have been granted to individuals of
the excepted classes, and no voluntary application
4 has been denied. ~
Thus practically the door has been for full year
open to all except such were not in condition to
make free choice-that is such as were in custody
or under restraint Ii is still so open to all But
thetime may sooTne, prpbahly wiz come, when pub.
lie duty shall demand thatit be closed, and that Ia
lieu more vigorous measures than heretofore be a.
dopted. 7e9e 81
In presenting the abandonment Of armed resist
anee to the National authority on the partof the in
surgents the only Indispensable condition to end.
nothing heretofore said as TO Slavery repeat the
neclarafian InAdn raar nnn that srha rernni ir,