Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-04-15
WHO ARE the TRAITORS?
The Speech Of Mr.. Long--The Reso-
lutions Of Mr.. Conway, the Edi-
torial Of Mr., Greeley, &c.
Mr.. Longs Speech.

Mr.. Longs Speech.
The following is the concluding portion
of this speech, which sums up all that was
obnoxious in It:
The very idea upon which this war Is
founded-coerciOn of States-leads to des-
potism. To preserve republican form of
government under any constitution, under
the prevalence of the doctrines now in
vogue, is clearly impossible. These convic-
tions of the complete overthrow of our Gov
ernment, are as unwholesome and unpleas-
ant to me as they are to any member of the
House. Would to God the facts were such
| could cherish other convictions. may
be denounced as disloyal and unpatriotic
for entertaining them, but it will only be by
shallow fools and arrant knaves who do not
know or will not admit the difference be-
tween recognizing fact and creating its
existence. A man may not desire to die,
but nevertheless his belief will not alter the
fact of his mortality. shall not, in these
remarks, revive the unpleasant and acrimo-
nious controversy of who is responsible for
the death and destruction of our Repub-
lie. do not see that any such discussion
now would be productive of good. enter
tain clear and strong convictions upon that
point-conviction that l have no donbt
will be shared by the impartial historian of
the future. For the present am willing to
let the past, with all its recollections, rest,
provided we can snatch from the common
ruin some of our old relics of freedom. i
do not share i'm the belief entertained by
many of my political friends, on this floor
and elsewhere, that any peace is attainable
upon the basis of union and reconstruction.
If the Democratic party were In power to-
day, have no idea, and honesty compels
me tO declare it, that they could restore the
Union over thirty-four States. MY mind
has undergone an entire change upon that
subject. l believe that there are but two
alternatives, and these are: either an ac-
knowledgment of the independence of the
South as an Independent nation, or their
complete subjugation and determination as
people; and Of these alternatives prefer
the former.
Mr.. Chairman, take little or no interest
in the discussion of the question which
many of my political friends would make
an issue as to how this war shall be prose-
cuted, its manner and object. Iregard that
as worse than trifling with the great ques-
tion. l do not believe there can be any
prosecution of the war against sovereign
State under the Constitution, and do not
believe that war so carried on can be
prosecuted so as to render it proper, justi-
fable or expedient. An unconstitutional
war can only be carried on in an unconsti-
tutional manner, and to prosecute it fur
ther under the idea of the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Alr. Stevens), as war waged
against the Confederate States as an inde-
pendent nation, for the purpose of conquest
and subjugation, as he proposes, and the
Administration is in truth and in fact do
ing, / am equally opposed.
II will cav fIlrfhar Mr. fbot sf
this war is to be still further prosecuted,
prefer that it shall be done under the aus
pices of those who now conduct its man
agement, as do not wish the party with
which / am connected to be in any degree
responsible for its results which cannot be
otherwise than disastrous and suicidal-let
the responsibility remain where it is until
we can have change of policy-instead of
men, il such a thing Is possible. Nothing
could be more fatal for the Democratic par.
ty than to seek tocome into power pledged
to continuance of a, war. .policy-such a
policy would be a libel upon its creed i'm
the past and the ideas that lie at the basis
Of all free governments, and would lead to
its complete decentralization and ruin.
/ believe the masses of the Democratic
party are for peace, that they would be
placed in false position if they should
nominate war candidate for the Presiden-
cy and seek to make the issue upon the mar
row basis of how the war should be prose-
cuted. For my own part, as l have already
indicated, / fear that our old government
cannot be preserved even under the best |
auspices, and under any policy that may be
now adopted; yet l desire to see the DEM
ocratic party, with which 1 have always
been connected, preserve its consistency |
and republican character mistaken.