The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1864-05-05


who do not know or will not sadmit tn,
difference between recognizing fact anC
creating its existence. A man may no
desire te die; but nevertheless his be
hef will not alter the fact of his mortality
| shah not in these remarks. revive til,
unpleasant and acrimonious controversy
of who irresponsible for the death and de
struction Of the Republic. l d, not sc,
that any such discussion now would b,
productive Of good. ! entertain clear ano
s.rong convictions upon that point; convic
tions that L have no doubt will be shared
in by the impartial Historian Of the future
For the preset apl willing to let the past
with ailits recolections, rest, provided We
can snatch from il1c common ruin some OF
our relics Of freedom.
Go not share in tho belief entertained
by many OF my political friends on this
floor and elsewhere, that any peace is
attainable on the basis OF union and recon
struction. Ii the democratic party were
In power to day have no idea and hon-
csty compels me to declare it, that they
could restore the union over thirty-eour
States. My mind has undergone an entire
change on that subject. I believe there
are but two alternatives, ard these are
either an acknowledgement OF the indc-
pendencc OF the South. rs an Independents
nation, or their complete subjueatitn and
determination as people; and ofthese a.
ternatives, | prefer the former.
Mr. Chairman, ] take little or TO int ~
est i'll the discussion. OF the question which
many Of my political friends would make
an issue as to how this war shall be pros
ecuted, Its manner and object ! regard
that as verse than triiiing with the great
question. | do not believe there can be
any prosecution Of the war against SOW
erci9n State under the Constitution. and
Go not believe that 4 war SO carried OF can
be prosecuted 50 as TO render 1t proper,
yjustlffable or eXpcdicnt. An unconst;tu-
tional war con only be carried on in an
unconstitutional manner. and to prosecute
it farther under the idea Of the gentleman
from Pennsylvania (Nr. Stcvens(, as a
war waged against the Confederate States
Is an Independent nation for the purpose
OF conquest and subiugation, as he proposes.
and as the Administration is III truth and
III fact doing. or tea pretended war for the
preservation Of the Union, l am equally
opposed.
| will say further, Nr. Chairman.
that if this wax is to DC still further pros
ecutcd, I prefer that it shall be done under
the auspices Of those who now conduct
It's arrangement. as | Go not wish the par
ty with which I an connected to be III any
degree responsible Tor iJs lc-s,it, wi.;ci,
cannot be otherwise than Gi.a. tr ,us
and suicidal. Lct the responsibility re-
main where it is until we can have change
of policy instead OF men, if sucI: thing is
possible Nothing could be mere fatal 10
the Democratic party than to seek to cone
into power pledged 10 q continuance Of =
war policy-such a policy would be libel
upon its creed in the past anG the ideas that
lie at the basis o. al free governments, and
would lead to It's complete Generalization
and ruin.
| believe the inassss Of the Democratic
party are for peace; that they would be
placed in a false position if they should
nominate war candidate for the presi-
dency and seek to make the issue upon the
basis Of how the war should be
prosecuted. For my own pa-i, as have
already indicated, | fear tnat oar Ole ecv-
crnmet cannot be preserved even under the
best auspices and under any policy that
may be DOW adopted; yet desire to sec the
Democratic party with which lave always
been connected. preserve rs consistency
and republican caracter unshalcn.