The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-06-07

ing the Union, 10 the Democracy the
country is indebted for the preservation
Of whatever remains of that other and
even dearcr birth right of Americans
Constitutional Liberty and private right.
But laying all theae questions aside for
the present, / trust that all men who, in
the old Roman phrase, feel alike concern
ing tho Republic now, may be soon
brought TO act together. He who can
not at this moment for season at least,
forget his private griefs, or lay aside his
prejudices against men aud parti.s, for
the sake Of his country in an hour Of
trial which demands oil the wisdom of
the wise and the utmost 6rmness of the
stoutest.heated among US, is too much Of
partizan to be anything of a patriot
Fortunately among politicians the labor
is usually not difficult. II the melancholy
reflection of Cicero in his later years,
we're we'll considered and just, that true
friendships are most rarely found among
those who concern themselves in public
affairs, it is quite certain also that perdur
able enmities are especially rare with
them. And it is the motive, not the new
association, which marks the change OF
party habitudes, as patriotic or corrupt.
It was not the nero fact that Fox and
Burke united ir coalition with Lord
North, that made them all odious to the
British people, but because the purpose
and circumstances Of the coalition were
unpopular and net just. Here aud now
the war having accomplished all that the
sober and rational among its advocates
ever claimed for it, the breaking down
or the chief military power Of the Con-
federate Government--wc have reached
the point where all that class among its
supporters of whatever party, must now
unite with the friends of peace and con.
ciliation, in exhausting all the arts of
craftsmanship to tho end that speedy
and perfect pacifcation, and with it, a
real and cordial e union, may be secured
The questions which belong to state Of
war are, in their very nature and from
necessity, totally distinct from those
which arise upon cessation of hostili
ties. Men who have hitherto agreed on
other issues, will differ widely now, and
rev party association must follow. The
hereditary supporters of the President
just iraugurated must not assume that as
a matter of course, the Democratic party
will be found in opposition upon these
questions On the record, up to the day
when the Executive Office, by reason of a
horrible crime, was forced upon him, he
himself differed froci that party only, OF
chiefly. as to the fact aud the manner of
prosecuting the war. Not responsible
for anything done or omitted by the late
Administration, whereof the Democracy
complained, now that the war is ended
he begins his chief maristracy without
past difference in principle or present
separation as to policy. In any event
he is entitled at the hands of the Demo.
cratic party to fair, candid and charita
bic consideration of the several measures
which he shall propose, though most as
suredly at the same time, it will the duty
of that party to1ender strict, firm and
fearless judgment upon them, and to ac,
accordingly as they shall be found tc
merit support or to demand opposition =
Iti il. indeed, already to be lamcntcd thai
although General Sherman may not have
had the authority and he claimed for.
himself, referring all to the Executive
his plan of Paciication aud Reunion wa,
not. PROMPTLY confirmed by the President
. 1t was concise, comprehensive, complete
, proving him not less wise ard great il
, The science of craftsmanship, than grant
/ and triumphant in the arts of war Anc
5 it would have made peace, immediate an,
sincere dpcace from The Potomac to III
Rio Grande." This was his proud CON
gratulatory beast to his army at the enc
Of the great struggle, and not Of an
victory in tho field. Defeating the arme,
> military hosts of tho Conf.dCracy, hi
aim, at the close, was to conquer tn
hearts of its people also, and to be exalt
oil thus as tho Hero Of Pcace--tho onl,
true heroism in civil war.
Upon the great question Of RECON
n sTRUoTIoN, as the Democratic party il
@ without power, so it is without responsi
e bility. 1t can but accept or reject what
f ever measures may be proposed, II tn
i policy which the President may recon
mend shall appear, upon calm and dc
o lberatc scrutiny, best adapted 10 genera
G to secure a speedy, complete, cordial an'
: lasting paeifcation upon the basis of th
. Federal Union Of the States, it will, II
/. my judgment, be ct aud just that TIL
}. Democracy, wliving all minor points o
J, detail, lend TO him liberal, earnest ant
{ patriotic support in carrying it into esc
!, cution. II, upon tho other hand, it b
4 such as can but make that solitude whicl
}. conquereis call peace; or, worse it posi-
J. Bile, that peace which hangs like blacl
It and heavy pail, over Hungary, ireland
! Poland, then it will be the duty Of tn
g Democratic party, with determined frm
n ness and iearlessness, to interpose sucl
|. constitutional aud legal opposition, thrc
# the press and in public assembly, as ma,
d be just and efficient, till either the Presi
}, dent shall be impelled to change both hi
p Cabinet and the measures to which the
n may have advised him, or the people
y pcnceably through the ballot, shall b
Q enabled to secure pacification and Unio
It bya change of Administration and of pol
: icies | say q change in part or in wholc
Q Of The Cabinet, in advance ofthe election
i because, remembering the peculiar eli
It cums'ances under which the Office fell I
!, The President, his advisers, "the Mini.