The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1864-03-09
NHr. Fillmore ON the War-His
Address mt the Christian GeEH-
missiOM Central Fair, in Ruffa-

misslOa Central Fair, i'm Rufta-
10.
At the opening Of the great Central Fair,
inaugurated by the Christian Commission at
St. James Hall, Buffalo, Monday evening,
Hon. Millard Fillmore spoke as iollows
Three years Of civil war have desolated
the airest portion of our land loaded the
country with an enormous debt that the
sweet OF millions yet unborn must be taxed
to pay; arrsyed brother against brother, and
father against son in mortal combat; deluged
our country with iraternal blood, whtened
our battle fields with the bones Of the slain.
and darkened tn sky with tina pail Of me urn
ng. Yet these appalling amities-which
as yet have touched our city more lightly
than any other in the land-haye imposed
upon US new duties which must be prompts
ly met and generously discharged; and new
burdens which must be patiently and cheer
fully borne. We cannot, in our humble ca:
pacity, control the events of this desolating
war. We hear its thanders and mark the
track OF desolation, and we must meet the
emergency as best we can, but never despair
of the republic. 1t is no time now to en-
quire wheather it might have been avoided.
Let those who seek light on this subjbct
read Washpgton's Farewell Address. Nor
are we now to crticise the conduct OF those
who control it, awarding praise here and be.
slowing censure there. The impartial his
torian will do this when the passions epgens
dered by the strife have cooled. and partisan
prejudice, petty jealousise, malignant envy,
and intriguing, selfish ambition shall be laid
-, 10 l,, - 80 hnnaJ kt,p;aI in nj
livlon. And much less are we called upon
to predict when or how this war will end
Let these who seek light on the subject read
General Jackson's farewell address But
let us hope that an all wise and merciful
Providence vii incline the hearts OF the peo
pie, North and South, to peace-to a lasting
peace, with restored Union, cemented by
iraternal affection. under our well tried and
glorious Constitution. Nor is this the time
or place to express an opinion as to the poll
cy that should be persued to reach So desra
bic an end. But one thing is clear, that much
must be forgiven, if not forgotten, Oh both
sides, before this Union can ever be restored;
and therefore it is to be hoped that all TN,
necessary acts ofcruelty, or wanton dlstruc-
tion Of private property, or insult, or inso-
leuce III tlluuupuihB oNei iaAou ioo euouIu
be avoided; for all such acts only fire the
heart OF our adversary with resentment and
revenge, and thus p,oiracs the war, increase
its horrors, and leave a sting which will rem.
der reunion more difficult, if not impossible.
But it must be apparent 10 all that the first
step toward bringing this war to close is to
conquer the rebel army. ANY negotiations
Tor pea before this IS done would prove a.
bortive, and any professed clemency to those
in arms who DEFY our power, would be mock
cry which would be treated with redicue
and contempt. But when we have conquer
ed their armies, and disposed of their leaders,
then let US show our msgnanimity and gen
erosty by winning back the deuded multi>
tude who have been seduced or coerced into
this rebellion, Jy extending to them every act
of clemency and kindness in our poaoe', and by
restoring them to all their rights under the
Consultation, THIS conceive to be Christian
forgiveness and the best policy, and tho only
one soatch can ever restore this Union.