The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-02-02
Vcry respectfully,
J. J. LEWIS, Commissioner.
Th. End at Hand-An English Wow


The End at Hsnd-An English Wow.
"Midwinter," says the London Dai-
ly News Of January B, "brings no
pause in the shock and hurry of war
in the American campaign" and the
same paper adds:
If the North still romans able to
keep up its armies to at least their
present standard, while the South can
not renew its regular forces, nor rouse
the patriotism Of its members to fur
thor sacrifices, it is evident that the
end is at length coming within sight.
1t must not, indeed, be looked Tor sud
denly. A great and tried army like
Lees cannot be suddenly disposed Of
by any opponent less than Napoleon.
Even Hood may rally portion Of his
force, and mako stout fight still in
the strong positions On the Tennessee.
But, on the other hand, it is impossi-
bio not TO sec in the accounts of the
fighting that now reach us, that II
knowledge Of their fate has greatly al
tered the morale of the contcnding
forces. There is at onco dash and n
stubborn energy in tho attacks of the
Fedcrals which were not traceable in
Tthcir fr& encounters, while the South
erners, whose wilder manner of life,
whose reckless contempt of death, and
whose skill as shots gave them in tho
opening of the war distinct superior
ity, now fight as brave men do who
are ashamed to yield, but who yet
know they fight in vain. And those
who are still with Hood or Ice are, it
must be remembered, the hcartiest
who are left. They are those who
doubt not of success, and who shrank
not from the dangers and suferings
necessary to ensure it, When these
begin to doubt the end must be ap>
preaching.
But the iacts we have been review
ing not only show us the end Of war
but they open to usa happier prospect
of what will bo allor the war. The
theory advanced by some of our co,
tcmporarics that the North could ncv.
CT hold tho South, even after the South
ern armies arc beaten from the field is
plainly untenable. The fiery spirits
will DO gone, and those who were toe
Indifferent to fight will certainly not
have energy to resist when the fight is
over. 1t is to be kept in view that
there is after all no difference ofracc
or speech, Or law, to maintain feel.
ing Of hostility. There is nothing tC
prevent Northern settlers from anal
gamating with Southern residents -
Tho negro question being settled, there
will be nothing to maintain diStinc-
tion between tho two sections. Enga.
ged in tho same pursuits, rosorting tc
tho same courts, elccting members tc
tho same Legislature, there will be
nothing in this case resembling those
in which q nation is ovcrrun and de
prived its rights by an alien power
Southcrncrs will recover their rights
by submission, they will stand on
footing o! perfect equality with thu
victors. We all know how rapidly
when the IIighlanders of Scotland hat
been disarmed, they became among
) tho most loyal Of their fellow subjects
Yet their case was one in which ther,
were fundamental distinction between
them and their subjugators, no. to b
found between Fcderals and Contcd
crates. No doubt there will be an in
torvening period in which militar,
J law must prevail till perfect order l
) restored, Those who mako the pre-
tense of actirg as guerrillas aitor tn
regular war is over an excuse for @ur
! doring and plundering, must be re
pressed by the firm rules which in ev
y cry country. and under every syster
Cf law, punish individual crime. Thi
will be an inevitable concomitant {
: the period of transition from war to Ii
: gality. But when the foul dream
= building up n slave empire is owe
=, there will be nothing left to fgl
u about; and II people who have nothin
. to maintain dissCntion about, and vii
y y arc in the enjoyment ofcommon right
u common liberties, common privilege
', will speedily unto to put down tho'
II whose disorders will be only a con
J. mon bane.