Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1865-01-10

Mr.. Lincoln's style is not free from or
atorical blemishes but there is one re-
spect in which he surpasses almost any
public man of his time. This consists IN
a certain comprehensiveness yet simplicity
of statement the condensation of an ar
gument into the compass of few words.
What it takes others long array of care
fully chosen periods to express, he crystal
ICES into short, ringing sentence. While
more pretentious statesmen too often
darken counsel by simplifying what is
simple, he simplifies what is complex by
the magic of fclicitous phrase.
Thus, in his last annual message, ne
states the position of the Government with
reference to the question of Peace in the
following pithy sentence:
"In stating simple condition Of peace, 1
mean simply to say that the 'car sOiA cease
on the part of the Government tChenerer 1t
shall hare ceased on the part of those 'cho
began it"
Can anything be more comprehensive :
1t has all the condensed directness of
Greek epigram and yet it leaves nothing
to be said. The argument is exhausted.
The whole sum and substance Of the SUBJ
iect is incarnated, as it were, in these few
words. The single condition of peace is
that "the war will cease on the part OF
the Government whenever it shall have
ceased on the part of those who began it."
Nothing more is asked nothing less will
be accepted. The rebels can have peace
tomorrow if they abandon the war they
are waging against the Government but
until they do abandon it, they must ask
and expect no clemency. They are the
offenders; they are the authors and origi-
majors of the conflict. 1t is for them to
say how long it shall continue. The
Government desires peace but it must be
peace based upon the supremacy OF its
authority. 1t cannot compromise; tor
there is nothing to compromise upon. 1t
cannot meet the insurgents half way; for
to do that would be to acknowledge that
it had hand in provoking the quarrel
Its position is not offensive but defensive;
it is contending not for the subjugation OF
its enemy, but for the preservation of its
own existence. 1t has been assailed; it
seeks simply and solely to repel its assail-
ants. Whenever they withdraw from the
attack, it will joyfully sheath the sword.
But while the attack upon its life con-
tinues, it must defend itself vigorously or
miserably perish. 10 pause in the bloody
work while its assailants are still intent
upon its death, would be not only foolish,
but fatal. To propose terms to red-hand-
ed traitors while they still insolently de-
clare they will listen to no terms which
do not concede to them all they originally
asked, would be to compound with the
blacklist felony that was ever committed
since that secession of Lucifer.
"The war will cease on the part OF the
Government whenever it shall have ceased
on the part Of those who began it." Is
this unreasonable: Would any man who
loves his country and is jealous of her
honor, have il cease one moment sooner
Would any man with spark of patriotic
pride in his soul have the conflict sus-
pended while traitors are still in arms
Surely he is no true American who would
see his Government suppliant at the
feet of jeff. Davis and his minions, beg
cling them to desist from making war upon
it, and cravenly proposing to settle the
difference by mutual concessions.
Albany Journal.