The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-07
Peace AZ Last.

A year ago Richmond was entered
by our victorious soldies, and the re-
bellion tottered 70 its fall. A few days
later and no army remained to resist
the eagles of the republic The Presi-
dent has fitly selected the anniversary
Of the great eliminating event of the
war, 70 proclaim the fact that peace is
restored and that the great Insured
ton is ended
The proclamation is long, but it win
be read with interest, as a summary OF
the prominent military and political
declarations OF the last FIVE years, and
As q formal enuncialion Of the great
iact that has SO long been partially re
cognized by the people. The Presiden
Introduces the resolutions IN regard to
he object of the war, passed by the
-wo Houses Of Congress in July, 1861
and makes them the basis Of an aTgu-
ment in favor of his policy. BE de-
cfETes that the people of the States
named, as lately in Instruction, ARE
well and Loyalty disposed, and have
concerned, or will conform their legis
lstion to the condition Of affairs grow
ing out of the amendment to the Con-
stitution of the United States prohibit
frg slavery within the limits and iuris-
diction OF the United States" and that
they acquiesce IN the claim Of National
unity. He also declares that standing
armies, military occupation, martial Law
military tribunals, aud the suspenl
sion Of the privilege Of the writ OF ha-
teos corpus, are, in time Of peace, dan
gerous to public liberty, incompatible
with the individual rights of the citi-
zens, contrary to the genius and spirit
OF our free institutions, and exhaustive
of the national resources, and ought
not, therefore, to be sanctioned or al
lowed, except in cases of actual neces-
sity for repelling invasion or suppress
ing insurrection or rebellion,
This last clause breaks down stonce
the long continued suspension of habeal
corpus, and takes away from Congress
and the Cabinet Ministers, the plea OF
the war power" and military necessi
| ty," by which SO much legislation ha:
been inspired, and so many arbitrary
acts sought 10 be justified. The proc
lamation is a sign of q return 10 q
healthy and normal condition of affairs
and We most earnestly trust that those
who have 50 long found use for illega
and unwarIantable modes of dealing
with the people, will now be content
with the methods pointed out Dy the
! Constitution, sustained by the law, anC
made obligatory by the fundamental
| principles which lie at the base of oul
institutions.
1t has often been said that largel
and wiser craftsmanship would be re
quired TO restore genuine peace anC
real harmony to tue country than wa
necessary TO conduct the operations o
a gigantic war. The events of the yea
prove this. Partisan wrangling anC
personal ambition, measurably husheC
in the clash of arms, have suddenly pu
on new strength, and grown to mon
strous and dangerous proportions. 1h'
peril of this hour is not less than tina
Of any Of the darkest hours of the war
and never in our history were wisdom
Cancellation, and true Republicanisn
more necessary than now. As we ap
proach the anniversary of the death o
Of our martyr President, let US catcl
the inspiration Of his last message, an'
with charity for all and malice toWar'
none, with firmness in the right, let u
strive on TO finish the work we are in.
Before the vast Issues of the future, tn
petty schemes and plans of individual
are as nothing, and those only vii
have an apotheosis in American histc
ry, who are proved TO act with honest
OF purpose and true patriotism in tn
turbulent scenes. Of the present day.
~ J. C1m. A9y.