Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-12-14

The election has exhibited another fs ct
not less valuable 10 be known the fact
that we do not approach exhaustion in
the most important branch of the Nation
al resources, that of living men. While it
Is melancholy to reflect that the war has
hlled SO many graves, and caused morning
10 so many homes, it is some relief 10
know that, compared With the surviving,
the iallen have been so few, Whole oorps.
and divisions, and brigades, and regi-
ments, have been formed, and fought,
ana dwindled and gone out of existence.
a great majority of men who compos-
ed them are still living. The same is
true OF the naval service The election
returns provo this. So many votes could
not else be found. The States regularly
holding elections, both now and four
years ago, to wit; California, Conretcti.
cut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana. Iowa,
Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Mssachu-
setts, Michigan. Minnesota, Missouri,
New Hamshiro, New Jersey, New York.
Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania Rhode Is.
land, Vermont, West Virginia and Wis
consin, cast 3, ,082,0ll votes VOW against
$50, 800 cast then, showing an aggIegate
now Of 9 ,3962ll, TO which is to be added
33,I63 cast now in the new States of Kans.
as and Nevada, which State. did not vote
in 1860, thus swelling the aggregate to
! 4,lO5, ia, sud the net increase during ths
three years and half Of war, Sl45,75l.
A table is appended, showing particulars.
To this again should be added the mum.
Der of soldiers in the field from Massa,
chusetts, Rhode Island, New Jersey, Del.
aware, Indiana, Illinois, end California.
! tsh IN ! u bo ~
vote away from their homes, and which
number cannot be less than 10000. Nor
yet is this all. The number in organized
territories is triple now what ii was four
| years ago, while thousands white and
black join US as the national armies pross
back the insurgents lines. So much is
shown attirmatvely and negatively by
he election. 1t is not materia! to inquire
how the increase has been produced, or to
show that it would have been greater but
for the war whlch is probably true Tho
! Important fact remGins demonstrated that
! we have more men noW than wo had when
| the war began that wo are not exhaust
| ed, nor in process OF exhaustion that We
are gaining strength, and may, if need be,
maintain the contest indefinitely. Thus
as TO men and material resources, they
are now more complete and abundant
than ever The nat 'onai resources then
are exhausted and, wo believe, mex
| haustible,
The public purpose TO re-stablsh and
| maintain ths national authority is un-
changed and, as we belize, Interchangeable.
The manner Of continuing the effort re-
mains to choose one careful consideration
of all the evidence. 1t seems to me that
no attempt at pegotiation with the psur-
gent leader could result in any good He
would accept of nothing short of tho sey-
erance of the Union. His decamatons
to that effect are explicit and oftrepeateJ;
he does not attempt 10 deceive Us. He
atfo rds us no excuse to deceive ourselves.
We canpot voluntarily yield it.
Between him and US the issue is dis
tnct, simple, and inheXible. 1t is an
iss ue which can only be tried by war and
decided by victory. If we yield, we are
beaten; if the Southern people fail him,
he is beaten Either way it would be the
victory and defeat following war. What
is true, however, of him who heads the
insurgent cause, is not necessarily true
Of those who follow, although he cannot
re-sccept the Union, they can. Some OF
them. We know, already disire peace and
reunion. The number Of such may in
crease. They can at any moment have
peace simply by laying down there arms
and submitting to the National authority
under the Constitution. Alter so much.
the Government could not, if it would,
maintain war against them. The loyal
people would not sustain or allow it. II
questions should remain, we would adjust
them by the peaceful means Of legislation.
conference. courts, and votes. Operat.
ing only in constitutional and lawful
channels, some certain and possible ques-
ions are and would be beyond the Exc
outive power to adjust; for instance, ad.
mission of members into Congress, and
whatever might require the appropriation
of money, the Executive power itself
would be greatly diminished by the cessu
lion of actual war. Pardons aud remis
sions of forfeiture, howeve would still be
within Executive control. In what spirit
and temper this control would be exer-
cised can be fairly Judged OF the past,
year ago general pardon amnesty up.
on specified terms were offered 10 all ex.
cept certain designated classes, and il was
at the same time made known that the
excepted classes were still within cOntem
plation of special clemecy. During the
year many avmled themselves Of the gen
eral provision, aud many more would only
that the signs of bad faith in some speou.
la,ion measures as rendered the practical
process less easy aud certain. .cL,
During the same time. also specihoai
pardons have been granted to individuals
of excepled classes, and no voluntary op
plication has been denied. Thus, praou-
aalv. the door has been open full year
m all. except such who were not in con
diton TO make free choice, that is, such
as were in custody or under constrain.
IL is still open to all, bat the time may
come, and probably will come, when pub
lie duty shall demand that il be closed
aud that in view, more vigorous measures
than heretofore shall be adopted
ln presenting the Abandonment Of arm
ed resistance to the National authority.
on the part of the insurgents, as the only
indispensable condition to ending the wa