The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-01-15
THE JEFFERSONIAN DEMOCRAT.


Flturc history will record that, perhap,
with two exceptions. the ordinance of seces
sion would not bsvo boon carried in any o.
the seceediug States, ii tho people could
have been permitted a fair. uncontrolled
election, by ballot. upon it But they wort
overwhelmed BY fraud aud forcc-and tbor
they were told, according to tho improved
theory of State Rights. that Whenever o ma,
jority of a State had resolved to commit
treason. tho minority were bound not only
to submit. but to share tho sin and
shame. Those whom argument failed Ia
convince, the military despotism has 81.
!inced. for the time being.
Thore has been a great deal said about
tho North seeking to suhjusate the South.
We have sought nothing of the kind. The
political and military lenders of this rebel.
lion it Is who have suhjugated the people OF
tho Southern States, trampled upon their
political rights, aud involved thon in the
crime OF %tronson. with its accompaniment OF
civil war. Tho triumph Of tho Northern ar
mics, and tho restoration of the old Gov.
ernment. IL, in truth. the deIiverance OF tho
people of the South and they will 80 hail
il hereafter.
There arc but two WAYS in which the ros.
t~oration of peaca and the Uiion is to be &C.
complished first, the unconditional sur
render Of the leaders, and tho abandonment
of tho rebellion or, second. tho continued
progress and cnnquests of our arms, until
tho military power of the C,nfederacy ia
broken, aud the heart of the rebellion
crushed. All intermediate plans or schemes
arc nero paliiatives, that. like our com.
promises of the past ffty yoars, will only
serve to procrastinato existing evils re.
storing peace hat will require constant
watchfuluess aud concessions /; and pros.
pority that will DO d%openden, upon almost
annual sacrie COS to avoid future demands
and instructions. In Wow Of the perma.
hence of our Government and tho integrity
of our Union, thore is no such thing as com.
promise with robels in arm against both
furn from it as we may, tho great truth is
apparent to every reasoning mind. that SUB.
MISSION or ~sUBJUGATIoN for the leaders of
this rebellion. are tho only eff .ctive means
Of restoring peace and good govornmen,
again.
Tho first of these is not likoly TO occur in
the present posture of affairs; nor as long
as hope. however blind or unreasonable. will
serve to shield from despair tho fortunes OF
~ S'''' ii'l''u' 'Jti VI tiC IGUblllUU,
Tho second. therefore, constitutes our only
certain means of success. In its progress
to this end, our gallant army has a two.
back stop by step il necessary. tho military
power of tho contedcracy from tho usurped
soil of tho soceding states; and eventually
to subdne that power, and bring it to terms
of peace. The second to develop the prin
,i.1n af tA,N1fr Il, tln snI,,.-I 4
protect thom in its exercise and eriovment.
whiln they restore the civil functions of the
State Governments. and unite them again
with thoir sister states under tho provisions
Of the National Constitution.
1t is objected, perhaps. that tho loyal poo
pie of the South arc too few in numbers to
assume or BIO trusted with tho powers of the
State Governmonts. A fair test will dem
onstrnte this assumption to be un warranted.
In addition to tho large body who. in almost
ovory Sonthern State, opposed tho ordin-
ances OF secession, many thousand have in.
decd boon converted by tho progress. and
many thousand moro will bo released and
flock to tho standard upon tho suppression
OF tho rebellion, and the s%ubiugation of It's
military power. The lessons OF prIyation,
sugering and misery entailed npon tho peo-
plo of the South by the wicked leaders in
his wa will suffice. at least for the present
generations; and with wholesome and bonef-
lcent government ngain restored to n loyal
or ropcntant people, will live in history as a
warning to future generations not lightly to
put in peril of destruction such u form of
government. at tho command of wicked and
unprincipled loadors. ouly for tho estsbtis4f:
ment of an oligarchy in its stead, with moth
ing but civil war as its means. and despo-
,ism as its result. But tho loyal people CT
the Southern States. DO they few or manv.
can alono DO entrusted with this great work
OF reorganization.
While wo desire poaco, therefore we must
as n necessary means. prosecute the contest.
To this end our armies must be reinforced
ana increased. and tho bravo men who &C.
cept this duty must be cared for and pro-
tocted. The past has had It's gloom, but the
future is full Of hope. Tho call of duty in
tho field and council is earncs, but cheer.
full, and your response and mino must not
DO laggard or uncertain. To this end YOU
arc chosen; and mine shall at all times be q
cooperation cordial and effective.
And now sole!mlv invoking tho Divine
blessing upon our mutual labors fo- tho
good of the State and National Govern.
monts, | am ready in your presence, to as.
the oath of Office.
JOHN BROTTGH