The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1864-12-16
NUMBER L.

in le60 thus swellingt the aggregateto d,075,773.
| and the net increase during the three years and
a half Of war TO ol45,75l. A table il appended
! showidg the particulars to this. Again should
be added tie numbers of all the voters in the
field from Massachusett, Rhode Island New
Jersey, Dcleware, Indiana. Illinois and Caifor-
mia, Who by the laws of these States could not
vote away from their home, and which number
cannot be less than 80, ,000 Nor vet is this all.
With the number in organized Territories it Is
triple now what it was four years ago, while
thousands white and black join us as the nation
al arms force back the insurgent lines at,
So much is shown afirmativey and mega
lively by the election. II is not material TO
inquire how the increase has been produced or
to show that it would have been greater but for
the war, which is probably true. The impor-
tant fact remains demonstrated that we have
more men now than we had when the war began
that We are not exhausted nor in process of TX
haustion--that we are gaining strength, and
may, if need be, maintain the contest indefini-
tely. Our mrterial resourses are now more com
plete and abundent than ever. The National
resources, then are inexhausted, and we believe
inexhaustahle. lN& PSF, eaN'
The public purpose to re,establish and main
tain the National capacity is unchanged, and.
as We believe Interchangeable. The manner of
continuing the effort remains to choose ~
On careful consideration Of all the evidence
accessible, 1t seems to me that no attempt at
negotiations with the insurgent leader could
result in any good. He would accept Of nothing
short of the severance of the Union. His deela-
ratons TO shat effect are explicit and of repeated
use. he does not attempt TO deceive us-he
affords lis no excuse to deceive ourselves We
cannot volutarly yield Between him and rs
the issue is distinct. simple and int1cxible It
ia m ;-auo ,tbihl a,1,, L.,
decided by victory: If we Weld we are beaten;
If the Southern people fail him. he is beaten
Either way it would be the victory and defeat
following the war
What is true, however of him who heads the
lnsprgent cause, is not necessarily true Of those
who follow. Although he cannot re accept the
Union, they can. Some of them, we know,
already desire peace and re-union the number
may increase. They can, at any mo-
ment have peace simply by laying down their
arms and submitting to the national authority,
under the Constitution. After so much. the
Government could not, if it would maintain
sustain or allow it. Ifquestions should remain,
we would adjust them by the peaceful means Of
legislation, conference, the Courts, and votes,
operating only in Constitutional and lawful
channels, Some certain, and ether possible
questions, are, and would be, beyond the Ex-
eeutive power to adjust For instance, the ad-
mission of members into Congress, and whatever
might require the appropriation of money ---9
The Executive power itself would be greatly
diminished by the cessation of actual war
Pardons, and remission of forfeiture, however,.
would still be within Executive control,
In what spirit and temper this control would
be exercised can be fairly judged by the
past year ago general pardon and amnes-.
ty, upon specified terms, was Offered to- all EEK
cept certain designated enemies; and itiwas at
the same time made known that the excepted
classes were still in contemplation of special
clemency. During the year many ayailed
of the general provision, and many
more would, only that the signs OF the bad
faith in some led to such precautionary measures
As rendered the practical process less easy and
certain During the same time, also, special
pardons have been granted to individuals Of
excepted classes, and no voluntary application
has been denied. Thus, particularly, the door
loor has been for full four year open to all
'xceptsuch as were not in condition to make free
choice, that issuch as were in custody or under
1t is still open to all; but the time
may come, probably will come, when public
lutv shall demand that it be closed, and that
n lieu more vigorous measures than heretofore
hall be adopted in presenting the abandonment
# armed resistance to the national authority on .
he part Of the insurgents, as the only indispen-
able condition to ending the war on the part
# the Government. e!.t m ,rrs
| retract nsthing heretofore said as to slavery.
repeat the declaration made year ago, and
hat while remain in my present position,
hall not attempt to retract or modify the En-
ncipation Proclamation, nor shallI return to '
lavery, any person who is free by the terms Of
hat proclamation, or by any of the acts of Com
ress. If the people should by whatever.mode
I means make it any executive duty to re-en-
lave such persons, another and not must be
heir instrument to perform it. In statinga
ingle condition of peace mean simply to say
hat the war will cease on the part of the Gov
whenever it shall have ceased on the
art of those who beganit.
TSigned] ABRAHAM LINCOLN. = '