Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-06-23


fessed to do every sixty days since the war
began; but | do see in these propositions
an earnest desire on the part OF the oouth
TO conform to the usagcs OF the civilized
world. and TO bring this unhappy and disas-
trous conflict to a close by the powers of
rraSon. Ii is true that certain objects are
declared for which they desired to negotiate
but does that fact include final results
which may grow. out Of negotiation when
once commenced What nation at war
with another ever opened communication
for treaty of peace by proclaiming, in ad-
vance, the precise terms on which it was TO
be concluded? Such course e-cmptori- |
" excludes the very idea of negotiation |
Commissioners would have no discretion,
and reason aud argument would have no
room to act, Such is not, in my judgment,
the meaning of this movement in the Con- |
federate Congress.
Sir, what is this contest? What interest
does it involve? They are very simple and
distinct when divorced from fanaticism. -
On the part of those who have kept their |
allegiance, it is u struggle to maintain the
boundaries of the Republic, and thus de-
feat the runous doctrine that State has a
right to secedc. On the part Of those in
rebellion, it is an effort, in their estimation, !
to preserve the integrity of their local laws, !
their social institutions, the right to con
troll their domestic affairs free from Federal
interference. With some, this attempt is
made under claim of the right of seces-
sion; others proclaim a revolution, which is
the right Of all people if grievances suf
ticient exist as Justification. But the pco-
pie of the South are united in the objects
at which they aim, and if they could be
attained in the Union, and without war,
would they not gladly embrace and accept
them rather than continue in a state of end
less hostility, which is destroying the very
interests they seek to protect? Why, the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Garfield) de
elared a few days ago on this floor, that il
the privates Of the opposing armies were
permitted to come together in peace, they
would speedily remove all our troubles and
yet he spoke and voted in favor of taking
from even the wives and children Of the
Southern masses who, he asserts, are thus
willing to return to the Union, the last foot
of soil, and the last crust Of bread by which
life is sustained With such evidence then
as this can We justify ourselves before God
or man if we fail to respond to the action o.
the South in favor Of negotiation, whicl
promises in advance such happy rcsults?-
Let all grievances, whether i;Incicd or real
be considered by candid stutc-manship. Lee
there be safe and unrcpcalablc guarantee
adopted against those that are found to b,
real; and those that are lancicd will bc ca~i
ly explained away. Five enlightcncd com
mIsslOners from each section, imbucd will
the spirit Of Christian bcnevolence anima
ted by an unsclfsh love Of country and o
their fellow men, meeting by the conscn
and encouragement Of their respective au
thorltieS, could, and in my solemn and de
Ilberatc judgment would, in ninety day.
agree upon terms which would be accepta
bic to q large nlaj jority Of the American peo
pie, and by which the Union of these
States would he more firmly established
than ever bctore-the lives of millions spar
ed, the hard earnings of the laborer left
for him to enjoy, peace and tranquility re
stored. would improve the armisticc
which winter declares to achieve many
bloodless and permanent victories in favor
Of the Union and the Constitution. wo Il
not stop there. would extend the armis-
ticc as long as there was hope Of inducing
the return Of single State But suppose
negotiation should fail. Then, indeed
would this administration be armed with an
argument in favor of war which it has new
er yet POSSESSED This fact is well under
stood by the Executive and his advisers, but
they refuse to negotiate because they have
reason to believe that the Union would be
thus restored and the war ended. But
slavery would not thereby be abolished and
the scheme of building up dcspotic cen
fcatod. The war therefore, poo- tn,
young men Of the nation are swept int
their graves upon the plain Of battle, ant
the old men become the slaves of the ta>
gathcrcr, not To restore the Union, but t,
give worthless liberty to the black man
and strike down the legal rights and privl
cges Of the white man.
Sir, upon this question of negotiation
concession, compromise, and Union, | ap-
I'm al Ia "a,
sustains me with all the force Of n burning
conviction Of duty, BY it am lifted be
yond the reach Of partisan malice. | appeal
to the people The voice Of human in
stlncts, OF honest nature will plead my
cause in their hearts At their hands
fear no evil for the country. They are just
and will appreciate plain and inherent
element of right. lappcal to future years
When candor, reason, and Christianity si
in Judgment on this struggle, every lin,
which records the history of war or pcac,
in all former ages, tells me that their yer
dict will be in favor Of the principles | ad
vocatc, | seize this hour of future triumph
by anticipation. That it will come | enter
tain no more doubt than | do that breath,
the air Of life this moment. ! appeal final
ly to God before whom | stand, and int,
whose presence we all hasten to answer TO
our conduct and our motives. In that aw
ful hour | humbly trust and believe tina
my feeble efforts TO turn aside the deVour
ing edge of the sword; to stay the hand o
the great reaper, death; to pause in tn,
horrid work Of sending souls TO their otcr
nal account without repentance or pardon
to stop bereavement Woe and tears around
every fircside; to brighten the mournfuI
face of the land with the radiance of peace;
TO reconstruct and restore Il harmonious
Union will meet with the approval of the
Father and 90 far towards relieving the
newly liberated and trembling spirit of ter
rors which surround it..
(CoNCLUDED NEXT WEEK