The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-09

lOtal. ....................oj, i6Z
To this again should be added the number OF
all soldiers in the field from Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, New jersey, Delaware, IaGiana
Illinois and California who bv the 2.y of those
States could not vote away from tair homes
and which number clnnO. be less tnan 80 900.
Nor yet is this all. The number in organized
territories is triple now what it v.5 four years
ago, while thousands, white and back, JOIN US
as the national arms press back the insu- eoCfs'
lines. So much is shown aflirmat ,yeiv and
negatively by the election.
1t is not material to inquire how the increase
has been produced, or to show that it world
have been greater but for the war, which is
probably true.
The important fact remains demons ira el
that we have more men now than we had when
the war began that we are not exhausted nor
in process of exhaustion that We arc g1iling
strength, and may. if need he, ml'ntau the
contest indefinitely. Thus, as to men aud ms,
terial, it is more complete and abundant than
ever. The national resources then are u0pX-
hausted, and, as We believe, iEcgblr:.aole
The public purpose to re-estab'is and main
tain the national authority is unclfanged and
as we believe, unchangable. The manner Of
continuing the effort remains to choose.
NO NEGOTIATION WITH INsURGENr LEADERS
On careful consideration of all the evidence
accessible, IL seems to me that no ATTEMPT 1T
negotiating with the insurgent leader could
result in any good. He would accept Of noth7
ing short Of the severance of the Union His
declarations to that effect are explicit and cfen
repeated. He does not atlempl 10 deceive IL,
tie affords us no excuse to deceive ourselves
We cannot voluntarily yield ii. Between him
and us the issue is distinct. simple and inf xxi
bic. 1t is an issue which can only BE- trjed bv
war, and decided by victory. II ue yield, we
are beaten; if the Southern people fiji BIN, he
is beaten. Either way it would be the victory
and defeat following either way
TERMS OF PEACE.
What is true however of him who heads The
insurgent cause, is not necessarily true #
those who follow. Although he cannot re-en-
ter the Union, they can. Some Of thr,a we a.
ready know desire peace and reunion. The
number Of such may increase, Tncv can at
any moment have. peace simply by laync
down their,apns and submitting 10 nc Nas.0a-
al authority under the Constitution. After 50
much, the Government could not if it w3uia
maintain war against them. The loyal peOpl.
would not sustain Or allow II.
If questions remain we would adjust them
by the special means of !egiSla .on, conference.
courts and votes, operating ouy in constitu-
tional and lawful channels. Some certain and
other possible questions are and would be be-
yOCd the Executive power to adjust. For in.
stance, the admission of members into Con-
gress, and whatever might require the appro-
prlaLlOn OF money.
EXECUTIVE CLEMESCY.
The executive power itself would be greatly
diminished by the cessation Of actual war.
PardOns and remissions of forfeiture, how
ever, would still be within executive control
In what spirit and temper this control would be
exercised can be fairly judged of by the past
year ago general pardon and amnesty upon
special 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 contemplation of special clemency
During the year many awaited themselves of
the general provision, and many more would
only that the signs of bad faith in some led TO
such precautionary measures as rendered the
practical process less easy and certain. Dur
ing the same time also several pardOns have
been granted to individuals of the excepted
class, and no voluntary application has been
denied.
Thus practically the door has been full
year open to all except such as were not
in condition to make free choice, that is such
as were in constraint.
1t is still open to all, but the time may come,
when public duty shall demand that it be
closed, and that in lieu more vigorous meas
ures than heretofore shall be adopted.
In presenting the abandonment of armed
resistance to the national authority on the part
of the insurgents as the only indispensable
condition to end the war on the part of the
government, release nothing heretofore said