Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-08-02
From The Albany Atlas and ArguAI
V'he True Bnsis Of Peace.

line real meautlS vi suANp,'iS 10 ~.
leading Northern Copperheads are not oniy M
eracies will be the Inevitable result Of the
existing imbroglio, but they are anxious
that il should be so. They are very careful
not to make any distinct public announces
ment that these are their opinions and feel-
ings, for this, they know, would consign
them In popular estimation to the same
limbo with Vallandigham.-N. Y. Times,
The. Argts In favor of dissolution OF the
Union.-J omndl.
We do not give such papers as The Times
and The Journal credit for sincerity, when
they make assertions like the above. They
do not believe that the leading men in the
Democratic party, or that the leading news
paper organs of the party are In favor OF a
dissolution of the Union. We say. they do
not believe it, because we assume that tney
would not give credence to such charge,
without, at least plausible evidence to sus-
tain it. And instead of evidence to fasten
such a position upon the Democratic party,
there is abundant testimony at every turn
to show that its views are precisely the re-
verse--that the leading idea Of its faith is
the preservation of the Union and the
maintenance of the Constitution, which is
the bond of the Union. aaj 50 b'g.7 o..
So far as any charge of fayoring. separa-
tion Is leveled against us, wecan refer 70 the
uniform tone of this paper, to prove that
from the commencement of this war, we
have constantly combatted the idea of sep
aration, and have never favored, peace, ex-
cept upon the basis of preservation OF the
Union. We continue to stand on that po-
stion-and much as we desire to see an emu
of this terrible war; which Is eating OUT the
lives and substance of the nation, we are
not prepared to enter upon negotiations Ior
peace, which do not assume as the starting
point, the continuance of the Union Of these
States under the Federal Constitution. we
hold that submission to the Constitution
and resumption of their sphere as States OF
the Union, is the only condition OF peace
which the President or Congress has any
right to exact of the rebels. Everything
demanded of them beyond that is lawless-
ness and usurpation on our part. But Moth
ing less than that can be accepted. 10 de-
mand that is not to humiliate or subjugate
the South, but to extend to them the pro-
lection of the same Constitution, to which
we yield obedience, and under which our
rights are secured. Such are our views.
But such are not the views of President
Lincoln, or of The Times and Journal which
support his candidacy for reelection. Mr..
Lincoln denies peace to the rebels, on the
DdSlS VI SuUIlloSiOl W bttO NObSeAoU7
tion and resumption of their duties as
States. He refuses to allow them to lay
down their arms and resume their position
in the Union as loyal States. He announces
his purpose to continue the war until they
do something more than this-until they
alter their respective State Constitutions
and abolish slavery. He requires them as
a condition of peace, to do what the Fed
eral Government has no right to exact OF
any State, and he threatens them and us
with all the horrors of war until their COM
pliance. 9tf ttn. .
The precise difference between the Dem
ocratic policy and Mr.. Lincoln's policy is
this: the former proposes peace on the ba-
sis of a return to the Union and submission
to the Constitution; the latter eXacts in ad-
dition, the abolition of slavery; the former
proposes to stop the war when the rebels
ley down their arms and become loyal citi-
zens; the latter is pledged to wage war till
slavery is abolished; tile former sustains
constitutional war; the latter an abolition
war. We sustain the former policy-The
". Y. Times and The Albany Euening Jour
nal, the latter. s
The supporters. of Mr.. Lincoln are in the
habit of saying, "You have no evidence
that the rebels will make peace on the
terms you propose" Suppose that to be
so-is that good reason for interposing
additional barriers i'm the way of peace? Is
that reason for superadding to the legiti-
mate, constitutional terms, which We pro-
pose, the unconstitutional and impossible
condition. which Mr.. Lincoln insists upon?
But Mr.. Lincoln does not, cannot know
that peace on a constitutional basis will
not be accepted--for the reason, that he has
refused to receive Peace Commissioners, or
to entertain negotiations except upon his
abolition condition precedent. o..
We believe that peace-on such terms as
we have mentioned-on the basis ofa pres
ervation of the Union, is possible. We
have no idea that Mr.. Lincoln will ever at
tain such a aresult-first, because he refuses
to, and is welded to his abolition condition
and second, because he is not likely to
command the confidence of the South in
his fair dealing in any attempt at peace
But under an Administration sustained by
the Democratic party, and by the Conserv-
ative men of the nation of other shades OF
political opinion, we have the most abiding
confidence that this war would be speedily
ended, and that the blessings of peace
would once again be enjoyed by our now
torn and bleeding country. id
We do not shut our eyes to the obvious
fact, attested by all history, that war like
this cannot be closed, except by mutual for
bearance and mutual concessions. We ex-
pect such concessions would attend an ad-
justment-nor would they change the basis
of peace, which we have considered. While
the present Constitution would be as now,
the charter of the government. the States in
Convention assembled, would perhaps, in
the spirit of conciliation, superadd guaran-
tees to each and every State Of the faithful
observance in the future of it's provisions.
These might be freely and generously con-
ceded. What, in this respect would be de-
manded, or what ought to be conceded, it
would be useless now to discuss. OF one
thing we are quite ecertain-with an Admin
istration in power, willing to make peace
on the simple basis Of the Constitution
there can be a cessation of hostilities, until
the delegates of the several States can meet
| each other face to face in a National Con-
yentiOn-tbe sword will not be again drawn,
and our difficulties will be adjusted. o.
Tue Albany Statesman begins to 'see. the
| light ahead" 1t no longer ridicules the
prospects of the Democrats. Nay, it bold-
| iy tells Mr.. Lincoln that he must get out OF
the way, and permit his party to put up
more popular man, or the opposition will
| 90 rrv tho Praaideotial election in snite Ot