The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1864-08-25

you do. | deplore bloodshed as much as
you do but feel that not one drop of blood
shed in this war is Oh my hands. [ can look
up to my God and say this. tried all in
my power to avert this war | saw it COM
ing, and for twelve years | worked night
and day to prevent it, but l could not. The
North was mad and blind; it would not let
us govern omselves and so the war came,
and now it must go on till the last man Of
this generation falls in his tracks. and his
children seize his musket and fight his bat
ties, unless you acknowledge our right to
self-goverpment. We are not fighting for
slavery. We are fighting for independence
and that or determination we will have"
"And there are at least four and half mill
lions of us left so you see you have work
before you," said Mr.. Benjamin, with de-
ecided sneer
eve have no wish to exterminate you"
answered the Colonel, Il believe what l
have said-that there is no bitterness be-
tween the Northern and Southern people.
The North, [ know, loves the South. When
peace comes it will pour money and means
into your hands to repair the waste caused
by the war;and it would now welcome you
back and forgive YOU all the loss and blood
shed you have caused. But we must crush
your armies and exterminate your Govern
ment. But is not that already nearly done !?
You are wholly without money and at the
end of your resources. Grant has shut you
up in Richmond. Sherman is before Allan
ia. Had you not, then, better accept honor
able terms while you can retain your pres
tige and save the pride of the Southern PEG
plc,''
The subject of an armistice has also been
harped upon by the enemies of the admins
tration, as altogether at the option Of Presi.
dent Lincoln. They claim that he has
only to say the word, and order cessation
ofhostilities at any time, and for any length
of time. We quote from the same article
to show what jeff. Davis thinks Of an ar
mistice. He also gives his views on the
rule of maiorities. If there are any homes
democrats. we ask them to read and ponde
these remarks of the chief Of the rebelsa nC
see whether his views are in accordance
with orthodox Democracy:
| JEEE. REGULATES AN AhhS1lOt7
':WeH, suppose the two Government
should agree to something like this. 10 81
to the people with two propositions say
peace, with disunion and Southern indepen
dence, as your proposition and peace, will
union, emancipation no confiscation, and uni
versal amnesty, as ours. Let the citizens O
all the United States Gas they existed befor
the war; vote Yes or NO" on these TIVE
propositions, at special election within sixty
days. If majority votes disunion, our Gov
erument to be bound by it,and to let yol
go i'll peace. If a majority votes
Union, yours TO be bound by it,and to stay
in peace The two Governments can con
tract in this way,and the people, though con
stitutionally unable to decide on peace O
war, can elect which Of the two proposition
shall Govern their rulers. Let Lee an(
Grant meanwhile agree to an armistice
This would sheath the sword, and if sheth
ed once it would never again be drawn b.
this generation"
''The plan is altogether impracticable. l
the South were only one State, 1t nigh
work; but, as it is, if one Southern state CD
iected to emancipation it would nullify tn
whole thing; for you are aware the peopl
of Virginia cannot vote slavery out Of Soutl
Carolina, nor the people of South Carolina
vote it out of Virginia"
'But three-fourths Of the States can amen
the Constitution. Let it be done in tina
way--in any way,so that it be done by tn
people | AIN not statesman or a polltl
clan, and l do not know just how such {
plan could be carried ont but you get til
idea--that the people shall decide the ques
| ton"