Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-08-18
tYe f,an.f Annr.i If.

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which the Administration OF the Southern
Coniederacy might be induced to consider s
the question Of peace. Wew.ll uotico some
of thenE ~ sn4 ,i-t'i =
!. In the first place, they ask that the
| indopendencosof the Confederacy be recoe.
nizcd. As TO this, il may be taken for
granted that people who can nevcr again
live with us in peace under the same hae
will never be disposed to maintain peace as
q separate nationality. 1t Is evident that
the two nations could not exist in safety In
such close proximity without any natursf
boundary, except by keeping . vast stand
ing army along the border. II would re-
quire force Of three hundred Thousand
men constantly under arms to defend tho
| Northern republic against incursions from
the C0nfederacy. This. in Connection with
the other land and marine forces necessary
to defend nation and protect its citizens,
would entail constant expenditure Of half
the annual cost efsuppressing the rebellion.
Three hundred millions per year would be
q moderate estimate of cur military estab-
lishment in times of peace, under such cir
cumstances, the most OF which would be
saved by now insuring the triumph Of the
glorious old nag. From the economy that
will follow the completion of the wurk now,
the war debt can soon be paid. No, gentle
man traitors South and Copperheads North,
we can't afford it.
Furthermore, a recognition of the South
ern Confederncy would involve further
disruption of the States into an Eastern, q
Central, and Pacific Nationality, which
weud not only diminish our ability 10 keep
up large standing army, but increase the
necessity for it, and still further ieopardize'
our Nation with the European powers
We should become involved in the Europe.
an system Of "the balance of the powers,
aud be complicated with the nations abroad
in maintaining it. To great extent We
; should be at the mercy OF the, despots Of
the Old w orld, in consequence of our mu-
tual jealousy and host,lity. The disposi-
ton OF our people is such that we must pull
together under the same flag, or we shall
constantly pull asunder. The animosities
that would be engendered in the bloody
: process OF breaking up into four nationali-
/ ties, would be guarantee Of hostilities for
, generations to come-hostilites that would
be inhamed by the interference of other ma
tions, which would not let us alone until the
last remnant of popular liberty should be
oanlshed from the continent. No; gentle
men, we cant afford it. .
: 2. Again it is said that if recognition
should be inadnnssable, they might begin
the discussion of peace, provided we con-
sent, at the outset, to either assume the reb-
5 ell war debt or agree to the reputation of
both the Southern and the Northern debts:
As to this, let it be said that we are not
yet either sufficiently poor to submit to-
, such humiliating moral turpitude nor SO.
rich as to be fat enough to kick down all
5 the safeguards of honesty and honor
t Furthermore, when we confront the purity
OF our cause, and the immortal grandeur Of
| the object OF this war. we cannot consent to
corrupt the one and degrade the other, by
$ even beginning discussion Of the PROPOSE
ton to repudlate the means by which so
great results have thus far been attained,
ard greater still are bound to be achieved:
No, gentlemen, traitors Of South, and Cop
t perheads of the North, we can afford it.
: Then as to the assumption OF the rebel
, debt Of $2.00O, 600, 600, we firmly believe
that smaller amount than that, in add--
tien to what we have already expended,
would complete the suppression Of the re-
, bellion, and give us the resources of the
f wealth bearing regions of the South, with
: which to help pay off our debt. In other
words, the combined debts of the North
and South, after the balances shall be gath
, cred in, would make an aggregate of at
/ least 81, 0D0, ,000,00 which is larger sum
than would finish the work in so thorough Q
manner as to insure perpetual peace instead
t OF constant liability to another outbreak.
that would attend the compromise method.
No, gentlemen. we cannot AFFORD it, One or
, the other party to this conflict must be bror
ken down. annihilated, subjected TO the,
power of the other. We say we are on tho,
side OF the Constitution, the laws and the.
Union, while you are rebels against Cow
ernment that had done everything for yo,s
and nothing against you down to the breaks,
ing out of your internal rebellion. No.
} gentlemen. we can't afford it. Besides,
your war debt is the price of the blood. of
: our fathers, sons, brothers and hasbauds;.
who have fallen 10 this struggle for law, lib
orty and national life. and we should desc
crate their sacred shades, and dishoher
their memories, in agreeing to pay the ac-
cursed bonds. No, indeed, we cannot af.
ford it,
In the third place it is claimedi tiist.
preliminary to the discussion of peace, it.
|, may be conceded that such slaves as. have
been liberated BY the war may remain ftee
while those untouched by our military pew
er shall remain as before the war As to.
this we have no guaranty that even the
freedmen, who may not have escaped North,
Will not be Immediately reduced to slavery
under your laws. Then We would be glad
to have you insure the freedom also of the
wives and children Of the freedmen, fer We
desire you to forever have all the credit of
; sundering the ties OF domestic affection I'M
the separation of families. Besides, many
of these men have proved themselves most
gallant soldiers, and we should be forever
humiliated in our own estimation, and dis.
graced before the world, should We not, Sc
cure TO them their families. No. gentle
men, traitors ofthe South and Copperheads
Of the North, we can't afford it.
But there is another consideration that
heavily weighs upon our minds. We say
peace now il you will have it on honorable
terms, but il not, the war must continue, by
your own fault, and may result in the lib
Grafton of the balance of your slaves. =
Should yeu determise that this shall thus
be done, wo can be assured lasting peace,
for the cause ofthe rebellion would be re-
moved, and Northern men nor angels can
perceive any other wrong in our Govern
ment that could produce another civil war.
With peace under such guaranty, result
ing in the exaltation of our republic beyond
the previous conception Of the most enthu-
| Oh I'D. of o, n