North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-12-14

white and black-jUin no as the national
arms press back the Insurgent lines, so much
is shown afirmatiye;y and negatively. by the
election. tits not material to inquire how
the increase has been produced, or to show
that it would have been greater but for the
war, which is probably true; the important
fact remains demonstrated, that we have
more men now than we had when the war
be an, that We are not exhausted nor in
process of exhaustion that we are gaining
strength. and may, If need be, maintain the
contest indefinitely. This as to men.
Material resources are now mole complete
and abundant than ever. The national re-
sources, are nexhausted, and, as we bclieve,
inexha ustable. The public purpose to re-
establish and maintain the national authori-
~ is unchanged, and. as we believe, unchang-
remains to choose.
EEGo TIATIoN.
On careful consideration of a II the evidence
accessible, it seems to me that no attempt
at negotiation with the nsurgent leaders
could result in any good. He would accept OF
nothing short of severance Of the Union. His
declarations to this affect are explicit and oft
repeated, He does not attempt te deceive Us.
lie affords US no excuse 10 deceive ourselves.
We cannot voluntarily yield it. Between
him and US the issue is distinct, simple, and
infexibe. 1t is an issue which can only be
tried by war, and by victory. Ii we yield
we are beaten. If the southern people fail
him, he is beaten. Either way 1t would be
the victory and defeat following war. What
is true however, of him who leads the insur.
gent cause, is not necessarily true of those
who follow. Although he cannot reaccept
the Union, they can. Some of them We
know already desire peace and reunion.-
The number of such may increase. They
can at any moment have peace, simply by
laying down their arms and submitting to
he national authority under the Constitu-
ton. After so much, the government could
not, fit would, maintain war against them.
The loyal people would not sustain or allow
it. IfquestiOns should remain, we would
adjust them by the peaceful means of legisla-
ton, conference, courts and votes, operating
only in constitutional and Lawful channels
Some certain and other possible qu estions
are aud would be beyond the executive pow
er to adjust, as, for instance, the admission oi
members INTO Congress, and whatever might
might require the appropriation of money.
AMNESTY.
The executive power itself would be great
Iy diminished by the cessation Of actual war.
Pardons and remissons of forfeiture. however
would sill be within executive control. In
what spirit and temper this cnnt-"I ---'i
b. eArrulseu can be fairly judged of by the
past. A year ago general pardon and amnes-
" upon spec fed terms were offered to all,
except certain designated classes, and it was
at The same time made known that the ex-
cepted classes were still in contemplation OF
special cienency. During the year many
avaIed themselves of the general provision,
and many more would, only that the signs
of bad faith in some led to such precautionary
measures as rendered the practical process
less easy and certain. Daring the same
time, also special par6ons have been granted
to individuals of excepted classes, and no
voluntary application has been denied.
A THREAT.
Thus practically the door has been for a
full year open to all, except such as were not
in ndit!on to make free choice; that s
such as We're in custody or under restraint.
II is still so open to all But the time may
come, probably will come, when public duty
demand that it be closed, and that in lieu
more vigorous measures than heretofore shall
be adopted
CONDITIONS OF PEACE.
In presenting the Abandonment of armed
resistance to the national authority on the
part of the insurgents as the only indispcns-
able condition to ending the war IN the part
OF the government, retract nothing hereto
tore said as to slavery. repeat the declara
tion made a year ago, that while | remain in
my present position | shall not attempt TO
retract or modify the Emancipation Procla-
nation. Nor shall return to slavery any
person who is free by the terms of the proc
lalnation, or by any of the acts of Congress
If the people should, by whatever mode or
means, make it an executive duty to len
slave such persons, another, and not l, must
be their instrument to perform it.
In stating single nonditlon of peace, I
mean simply to say, that the war will cease
on the part of the government Whenever il
shall have ceased on the part Of those who
began it.
(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
LEGAL TENDER Notes" NOT "LEGAL
TENDER. In the U. S. Court, bed in Phila.