The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1864-11-11

OF Union OF states established by force
will be as ruinous to them as to us.
The action Of the Chicago, convention.
so far as its platform Of principles goes
presents, as have said on another occa
sion, a ray of light, which, under Provi-
dence may prove the d avn Of the dav to
this long and cheeress night, the first
rays ofEsht | have seen from the north
since the war began. This cheers the
heart, and toward i. could almost ex
claim, hail, holy light, offspring Of
Heaven, first born of the eternal co>eter-
nal beam. May express ,hsas embalm-
ed, since God is light"
Indeed, could have quite SO exclaimed
but for the sad reflection that whether i,
shall bring healing in its beams or be lost
in the dark and omirous eclipse ere its
good work be done, depends SO much up
on the action Of others who may not re-
gard i! as do. SO a, best i, is but q ray,
a,maIl and tremulous ray, enough OILY to
gladden. the heart and quicken the hope.
The prominent and leading idea Of that
convention seems to have been desire to
reach peaceful adjustment Of our prs,-
ent difficulties and strife through the me
dluln Of q convention Of the states.
They propose to suspend hos,li.ies, TO
see what can te done, If anything 0y ne
golistions Of some sort. This is one step
in the righ: direction. To such conven-
.lou Of he states should have no objec-
ton. as a graceful conference and inter
| change Of views between equal aud sover-
eign powers, just as tie convention Of 1887
was called aud semb,ed.
The properly constituted authorities at
Washington and RichmonG the duly au-
/ thorized representatives Of the two con-
federacies Of the states DOW at war with
each other, might give their assent to such
a proposition. Good might result fro
it. It would be an appeal on both sides
from the sword 80 reason sGd justice All
wars which do not result in the extinction
or extermlu alton Of one side or the other,
must be ended sooner or later by some
sort of negotiation.
From the discussion or interchange OF
views in such a convention, the Lstory IS
well as the true nature of our ins,itutiC rs
and the relation of the states toward each
doubtless I te :ah much bel,fafF tsf5oT aahhl
erelly than they are now; but should
favor such proposition only as peace
! tul conference, as the convent ton Of 1877
was. | should be opposed to leaving the
question at issue to the absolute decision
of such body.
Delegates might be clothed with powers
to consult and agree. if they could, upon
some plan Of adjustment, to be submitted
for subsequent ratification by the sover.
eign states whom it affected, before j.
she uld be obligatory or binding only on
such as should so rstify it. I! becomes
the people of the south as well as the peo-
pie of the north, to be quite as watch.ui
and Jealous of their rights rs their cons
mon ancestors were.
The maintenance Of liberty in all ages,
| times and countries, when and where /;
has existed, has required nc! only con-
s,sx vigilance and jeaous|y, but it has Of
ten required the greatest prlyatl0ne and
sutferihgs and sacrifices that people or
states are ever subjected to. Through
such an ordeal we are now passing
| Through ike and even severer ordeal
! our ancestors passed in their struggle for
! tie principles which it bss devoived upon
US TO defend and maintain.
But great as our suffering aud sacrifices
have been and are, TO which you al!ude
they are as yet far short of the like suffer
ing and sacrifices which our fathers bore
with patience, courage aut fortitude in
the crisis that tried mems souls, in their
day. These are the virtues that sustained
them ia their hour of need. Their illus
,rious and glorious example bids us not to
underestimate the priceless Inheritance
they achieved for us at such cost OF treas
ure and blood.
Great as are The odds we are struggling
against, they are not greater than those
against which they successfully struggled
In point Of reverses cur condition is not
30 be compared with theirs. Should Mo-
bile, Savannah, Charleston, Macon, Mont
gomery and even Petersburg and Rich
mond fall, our condition would not ther
be worse or less hopeful than theirs was i,
the darkest hour that rested on their for
tunes. ....
With wisdom on the part Of those who
control our destiny in the cabinet and the
field, ia Outstanding and properly wiedin
our resources at their command, an1 II
securing the hearts and affection of the
people IN the great cause Of right and lib
ertv for which we are struggling, we coul'
, suffer all these losses and caiamitIeS anC
, greater even, and still triumph in the end
At present, however, | do not see, as
stated in the outset, that you Oh |, or an,
r number Of persons IN our position, can d
{ anything towards inaugurssing any ne'
movement looking to a peaceful soiutioi
of the preseL, si:ite. The war on our rar
: ia fairly and entirely defensive in its char
acter. How long it will continue 10 b.
r thus wickedIy and merciessly wage
: against US depends upon the people of th
J. north.
II Georgia. our own state, TO whom w
# owe allegiance, has with great unanirnii
n proclaimed the principles upon which
Just and permanent peace ought TO b
e sought aud obtained. The cong ess f th
d confederate states has followed with a
= Endorsement Of these principles. All yo'
,r aud |, ana others, in our position, there
r fore, can do in that line al ibis tine. is
o ,us'ain the movements alrsad, inaogur;