The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-08-26
The Conditions Of Peace.

. War with oil civilized nations is tho cx.
ceptional condition; the very object OF war
is supposed to bc the establishment of Sc
cure peace. Thus the long wars Of Nnpo-
leon with Austria, Prussia, Russia, and Eng
land, were considered necessary by him, up
on the ground that the French empire could
never enjoy quiet until it had proved its
strength and crushed the opposition II had
encountered from the first. On the contrary,
the coalition acted upon the hypothesis that
peace in Europe could not co-exist with the
Napoleonic theory. In the present struggle
the North acts upon the firm conviction that
the success of tho rebellion will result in per-
petual strife, and that the prosperity and
peace Of the American people is impossible
unless the Union is maintained. For this
creed we fight. For this we will fight to the
last We have even ceased to argue its jus.
ticc, with those who believe that two happy
and peaceful empires NAV bc built upon tho
ruins of the old Republic; we ore 80 pro-
fonndly convinced of its truth, that We listen
inpatiently to those orators who undertake
the supcranous task of proving the Union to
be invaluable. Whatever wc may sacrifice
to gain peace. wc cannot sacrifice the Union,
without which peace would be no blessing.
This. and this alone, is the radical question
between the rebellion and the Government.
1t is only by holding fast to this principle
that the great difficulty can be removed. The
decision of minor questions can never end
the greater difference. In tho beginning OF
the war slavery and rebellion woro almost
ANONYMOUS terms. and every blow dealt at
the one fell heavily upon the other. All the
anti-slavery measures of the Government
were intended to weaken the rebellion, and
were justified by their effect upon It, That
they have had terrible effect is evident.
Whole States wherein slavery seemed to be
an indestructible power have been rid of it..
The social system Of the South has been lit
orally revolutionized in three years. Thus,
rs the end Of the war approaches, slavery and
rebellion are terms no longer identical. 1t
was in the slave system and for its protection
and extension that the rebellion originated.
This unquestionably Is truo, hut it Is no less
the truth that treason no longer needs this
inspiration. but is self-sustaining, and finds
sufficient motive for perseverance in the pride
of its own achievements and the conscious
ness OF It's strength. Jefferson Davis spakc
HUro uuly tHuil pNE"ups HO N"eN' ""Sh "o
said that he was not fighting for slavery, but
for independence. Every day adds to the cv.
idencc that it is no longer the existence OF
slavery that tho war is to determine, but the
existencs of the Union. There is no longer
slave-power in America; there is power
of rebellion.
For these reasons, when the war ends, and
we believe il must end soon, the terms OF
peace will not be greatly embarrassed by the
discussion of the slave question, the punish-
ment to bc inflicted upon the rebel leaders,
the extent of coniiscition the acknowledge
ment of the authority of the United States
will he the grand demand OF the victorious
majority to tho minority. BY reason of its
transcendent Importance, it will bo an i'm
perativs and almost solitary demand. We
will permit no discussion of the integrity OF
the Union. All other questions may bc de-
cided then. hut this is determined now.-In.
diana Ga.ette.