The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-12-10


at all events, may. we not agree that the
sooner the better? 1t is not claimed that
the election has imposed a duty on members
to change their views or their votes any
further than as All additional element to be
considered, their Judgment may lie affected
by1t 1t is the voice of the people, now for
the first time heard, upon the question. In
Il great national crisis like ours unanmity of
action among those seeking common end
is very desirable, almost Indispensable, and
yet no appearance to such unanimity is at
tainable unless some Difference shall be paid
to the will of the majority, simply because
it is the will Of the majority.
THE PUBLIC SPIRIT.
In this case, the common end is the main
tenancc of the Union, and among the means
to secure that end such will, through the
election, is most clearly declared in favor of
such constitutional amendment. The most
reliable indication of public purpose in this
country is derived through our popular cleo
tons. Judging by the recent canvass, and
its results, the purpose of the people, within
the loyal States, to maintain the integrity of
the Union was never more firm nor more
nearly unanimous than now. The extraor-
binary calmness and good order with which
the millions of voters mingled at the polls
gave strong assurance of this. Not only
all those who supported the Union ticket.
so called, but great majority of the oppos-
ing party also may be fairly claimed to en-
terrain and to be actuaed by the same pur-
pose. 1t is an unanswerable argument to
this effect, that no candidate for any office.
however high or low, has ventured to seek
votes on the avowal that he was for giving
up the Union.
There has been mach mpugnng of mo-
tlves, and much heated CONTROVERSY as to
the proper means and best mode of anvanc-
ing the Union cause; but on the distinct
issue of Union or no Union, the politicians
have shown their instructive knowledge that
there is no diversity among the people. In
affording to the people the fair opportunity
of showing one to another and to the world.
this frmness and unanimity of purpose, the
election has been Of vast value to the national
cause.
NATIONAL RESOURCES.
The election has exhibited another fact
not less valuable to be known-the fact that
we do not approach exhaustion in the most
important branch Of national resources-tna at
of living men. While it is melancholy to
ref1ect'that the war has filled so many graves
and carried mourning to so many hearts, it
the surviving, the fallen have been so few
While corps, and divisions. and bricades.
and regiments have formed, and fought and
dwindled, and gone out of existence a great
majority of the men who composed them are
still living. The same is true of the naval
service. The election returns prove this
SO many voters could not else be found. -
The States regularly holding elections, both
now and four years ago, to wit: California,
Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois. Indiana,
Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massa-
chusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York.
Ohio, Oregon. Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin,
cast 3,9S2,0ll votes now, against 3,STO, 222
cast then, showing an aggregate now Of
3,9S2,0 oil. To this is to be added ,'3, 1872
cast now in the new Statesthat did not vote
in 1860, thus swelling the aggregate to
4,0l5, 773, and the net increase during the
three years and half of war to l45, 55.-
A table is appended showing PARTICULARS
To this again should be added the nmnber
of soldiers in the field from Massachus etts,
Rhode Island New Jersey, Delaware, lndi-
ana, Illinois, and California, who. by the
laws Of those States, could not vote away
from their homes, and which number cannot
be less than 10000. Nor yet is this all
The number in the organized Territories is a
trihe now to what it was four years ago,
while thousands, white and black, join us as
the national arms press back the insurgent
lines.
SO mnch is shown afIirna5ively and mega
lively by the election. 1t is not material to
inquire how the increase has been produced
or to show that it would haze been greater
mi for thn urhi,h Il.
The important fact remains demonstrated
that we have more men nov than we had
when the war began, that we are not cx-
hausted, nor in the process Of exhaustion
that we are gaining strength. and may, if
need be, maintain the contest iqdeinitely.-
This. as to men. Material resources are
now more complete and abunda 1T than ever.
THE MAINTENANCE OF THE UNION CONDITIONS
OF PEACE.
The natural resources then are u'neXhaust-
ed. and, as we believe. incxhausti bic. The
public purpose to establish and ma intain the
national authority is unchanged, al I'd, a. we
believe, interchangeable. The mannc of con
tlnuing the effort remains to chou Sc. On
careful consideration of all the evdc nee ac-
cesslble, it seems to me that no ate npt at
negotiation with the insurgent leader could
result in any good. He would accept 10th
ing short of severance of the Union, pre-
cisely what we will not and cannot 9. We
His declarations to this effect are eX olicit
and oftrepeated. He does not attem ot to
deceive u.s. He affords us no excuse to de-
ceive ourselves. He cannot voluntarily re-
accept the Union. We Cannot volunta rly
yield it. Between him and us the issu,. is
distinct, simple, and inhcXible. 1t is an
issue which can only be tried by war and d e.
cidcd victory. If "e yield we are beaten. -
If the Southern people fail him he is beaten :.
Either way it would be the victory and de.
feat 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-accept the Union,
they can. Some of them, we know, already
desire peace and reunion. The number of
such 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 war against them. The loyal peo-
pie would not sustain or allow it. If ques-
tions should remain, we would adjust them
by the peaceful means of legislation. CON
ferences, courts, and votes operating only IN
constitutional and lawful channels Some
certain and other possible questions are and
would be beyond the Executive power to
adjust, as, for instance, the admission of
members into Congress, and whatever might
require the appropriation of .money. The
Executive power itself would be greatly di-N
unfinished by the cessation of actual war;
Pardons and remissions of forfetures, how
ever, would still be within the Executive
control In what spirit and temper this con-