The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-12-02
A Rasis for Southern Reaction.

York CITY, the subject as Deen revived and
sneeulations ri.e. The subject has been much
discussed and variety of opinions expressed !;
hut we believe all loyal Americans, all who
love their country. all who regard the Stars
and Stripes as the glorious ensign of our Re-
public, agree in one thing-that is, not to
cringe to JEFF. Davis and other leading trail
tors and otfer them terms of peace, or an arm
istice so long as they have arms in their hands
and can control The military power of the
Confederacy. Common sense, justice. prop
er regard for national pride, a right apprecia-
ton OF the fitness of things all imperaliveiy
demand that the rebels in arms against tner
country and government should nrst sue ior
peace and offer terms.
But there is another view of the subject
JEFF. Davis and his satellites constitute one
class ia the South, which, in many respects,
is separate and distinct from the people who
still rightfully possess the true sovereign pow
er; and if they could exercise it, different
face would at once be put upon affairs in that
section Of the country. The masses are now
under the iron heel Of despotism which bias
no parallel on earth, and all aspirations for
freedom or the Union are suppressed.
And yet we occasionally see some sparks
break out that plainly show there are hidden
fires whence these sparks come. There is un-
questionably deep but suppressed feeling
for the old flag Of the Union, which only
awaits safe and convenient opportunity to
show itself. Let the military power which
Davis and Lee now WELD over the South, be
broken, and the Union sentiments would
at once spring up and become the controlling
element in the South.
Such belief we have always entertained ;
and when this element shall be freed from
military power it will be much stronger than
many believe it to be. Our reasons for such
q faith are many and strong, but we do not
intend to enumerate them in this article. 1t
has been observed by all careful readers OF
the history of this rebellion, that it was and
IL forced measure. 1t may safely be assert
ed without the fear of contradiction, that the
people in the seeded States never had a fair
chance to express their opinions of secession
tuEOuAu tAO O@AaOb WAS AAA ehO Odt3J
stages of the rebellion, when the people Of
any State did vote on the question, there were
heavy majorities against it in several States,
especially in those where the right of suffrage
was in some good degree free and untrammel-
ed.
These facts are patent to all who have
watched the movements and progress Of Sc
cession from its commencement to the present
time. When history is made so fast as we
have been msking it, and crowding so many
momentous events into small space Of time
thousands are prone to forget many phases
which the rebellion assumed in its commence
ment.
AL are DESTROYS Of peace, and none more SO
than the rebels themselves; and especially do
the masses Of the Southern people pray fol
such q boon. The great question is how to
end the war. The answer may well "exhaust
the resources of craftsmanship" But thore is
one thing as clear as sunbeam. Our govern
ment cannot offer any other terms OF peace
to jeff Davis than have already been offered
in many forms, and preserve tho national dig
nifty.
The way to peace will be clear enough 10
the people OF the South, and even to the lead
ers OF the rebellion, when the military yoke
which has been placed on the necks of the
masses shall have been broken in pieces. That
formidable instrument Of despotism once bro
ken and shattered into fragments, new light
would burst upon the South and they would
see themselves as others see them.
There cannot be any question that in all the
seeded States there are thousands upon thou
sands including large numbers of the respect
able and intelligent of the population, who
pray for the day to come when our armies
may overcome the marshalled hosts of Davis
and Lee, and give them once more the priv
lege and the liberty to look up to the stars
and stripes and shout praises to their ample
folds.
Oar government has never battled against
the peaceable inhabitants of the South. The
world ought to know it and the future histo
rian of this war will SO record the fact. We
are warning against the insurgents and them
alone, and the people of the South will ere
long learn that important fact. We are strug-
Cling to enforce obedience to the laws and
constitution Of our country, and these must
not, shall not be trampled under rebel feet
The people Of the free States, with the ex-
ception of New Jersey, which is not a free
State, and never will be so long as that rail-
road monopoly exists, have sworn upon the
altar of their country, and their oaths are reg
tered in Heaven, that our Union shall not be
discovered, nor the laws and constitution be
trodden under foot.
But the question returns-to whom shall the
olive branch Of peace be held out? Not to
the traitorous hosts of the rebellion, but to
that other class, the people of the South who's Q
aspirations for liberty have been suppressed,
and whose necks are CALLED with the heavy
yoke OF despotism. The fires of liberty are
smouldering in the hearts of this class, and
the favoring breezes which will rekindle them
into 3 bright and beautiful fame, must come
from the discontinue and overthrow of The
military despotism of Davis and Lee.
We thank Heaven that the prospect for
such class OF Southern population grows
brighter and brighter every day. Lees army
is held by the indomitable Grant. Beaure-
CARDS confronted by the adroit Thomas, and
Early's confined by the ever active and dash
ing Sheridan; while Sherman is triumphantly
marching through the very heart and centre
OF rebeldom, and going on conquering and to
conquer. According to our horoscope, the
WORK OF crushing out the rebellion is now ad-
miraoly arranged and parceled out to able, eff
hcent and gallant officers. Our armies are
in good condition, and the people Of the loyal
States have recently spoken in voice that
tells our brave boys that they shall be backed
up by prayers, material aid, and all the power
necessary for glorious termination of the mn .
holy strife.