Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1868-03-06

happiness to its people in an inconcievably
short period of time. He had time and
States should be permitted to withdraw
peaceably from the Union. He said he
sroke for the President elect-for the Re-
publican partyAwhen he said that there
could be no abandonment of the principles
of the Republican party, even If thereby
the preservation of the Union should be
assured. Party was uppermost with him
It was uppermost with the President-it
was uppermost with the Republican lead
ers-as it is uppermost with them to-day.
Senator Chandler, of Michigan, then as
in February, 1851, apprebensive that the
members of the Peace Conference then
convened in Washington, would devise a
satisfactory adjustment-telegrap his
fears to the Governor of Michigan, and be-
sought him to send delegates-not be-
cause he favored the proposition--to
satisfy the New England men who wanted
no compromise-whO would be as solid
and firm as adamant against compromise.
Compromise, he thought. would prove the
destruction of the Republican party. He
wanted none of It. He wanted the right
sort of Delegates sent from Michigan, who
would s help save the Republican party
from rupture" About the Union he had no
solicitude. It troubled him not. What
can be done to save the Republican party ?
was the question ever present in his mind,
as 1t was In the minds of all the Republican
leaders. Before this date, Hon. Stephen
A. Douglas wrote . personal friend, whore
in he said that the country was rapidly
drifting into civil war; that the trouble in
the way of its prevention was, that many
Republican leaders at Washington were In
favor of disunion on party grounds. Ii
was their impression that if peaceable
separation could be perfected, they could
enjoy uninterrupted power In the North
For perpetual lease of power, they were
willing, up to April, 1861 that the South
should retire from the Union and set up
an Independent government for herself
Two circumstances caused them to
change their minds. The Spring elec-
lions Of that wear, running from March
to the 1lrst wet K In Apr, showed tremen-
dous reaction III favor of the Democratic
party. It was verdict in favor OF Union
and peace. It was so accepted by the Re-
publican leaders. 1t gave them founder.
stand that with the consent of the people
there could be no disunion. Had the Re-
publican party in these elections maintain-
ed their strength, there toould haze been pedc-
able separation. They saw their hold upon
the people relaxing. Their next recourse
was to ascertain whether the people would
fight. To this end the South was challeng-
ed to fire upon Fort Sumter. The South
accepted the challange. Then there was q
call for seventy five thousand volunteers
to put down the insurrection. The expec-
tation by many was cherished that the peo-
pie would not respond. They did, however
respond; and once having been entrapped
into war upon the solemn assurance that ii
should be prosecuted for no purpose be-
yond the preservation of the Union and the
enforcement of the righful authority
Of the Federal Government they fought il
through. 1t is true the War would have
been q failure to the Republican party, had
it been brought to a close in 1881, In the
triumph Of the Federal army. The insti-
tutions of the South would have remain
ed intact. The voters of those States would
have voted against the Republican party
and its audacious corruption would in 8
short time have consigned it to over.
whelming defeat in the North. The War
blundered that it might be procrastinated
so that our people would accept the Eman-
cipa.ion Proclamation as ssa military ne.
icessity." Volunteers were to be had in
abundance before that Proclamation was
given to the public; but after that Procla.
nation was issued volunteering came to 8
halt. The nature of the War developed it.
self. 1t became apparent to the observan
that it was partisan War-prosecuted ir
the interest and for the perpetuation ir
power of the Republican party.
/ General Sherman, erred in the terms o.
surrender he had entered into with Genera
Johnston. He went on the presumption
that the War was none other than for the
preservation of the Union, and he believed
that when the Southern men laid down
their arms and testified to a. willingness tc
conduct themselves henceforward as true
citizens, devoted to the Constitution of the
United States. they should be so treated
In effect, SO he agreed with General Joe
Johnston. For having done this, hot an6
fast was the indignation of the Republican
press rained down upon him. Never was
traitor more bitterly denounced. Such 8
recognition of the Southern people, while
it would cement the bonds of Union and
obliterate speedily the traces of the War
would contribute to the discontinue and
overthrow; of the Republican party. To
them, therefore. the fruits of the War
would be tasteless. There would be nc
juice OF; favor to it. And they would moi
have it in this shape. 80
+ President johnson, too, has offended. He
was solicitous to serve the Republican
party To it he, owed his elevation to the
Presidency, and he sought their favor that
he might in the future be honored by them
Believing that he was anticipating their
wishes, he inaugurated q policy that he had
no reason to doubt would prove acceptable.
1t insured 7 the perpetual abolition OF
slavery, the notification of the doctrine OF
secession and the repudiation of the Con-
federate debt. For having done this, he
imagined that he deserved the plaudit oi
rweiI done, thou good and faithful serv-
anti Unfortunate man. 1t did not secure
the ascendency of the Republican party,
and, therefore, it did not receive their in
dorsement. Honest well meaning men,
could see noe objection to it, but the lead
ers saw that it would not serve their pur-
pose. To stop here would be to render the
wartto them fruitless. . e5aEsg sas s..i
When the conflict of arms was conclud-
ed, the Radicals raised the cry that the ne
gro should be made q voter in the South,
and that the most of the whites there
should be disfranchised.f By giving politi.
cal supremacy to the negroes in the South
they thought power would be continued to
them indefinitely. Finding it impossible
to rule the country through the whites oi
the South, they are willing to make politi-
cal co -laborers out of the blacks, although
by SO doing they shall give that
portion ot.asEour country over tc
S~Cfhtty fou0 zkS'tcIty. 4uc eOiui0ie, ~ HOSh
from their campaigns, felt insulted at the
proposition that the Negroes as the result
of the war should be made voters. They
fought for no such thing. They fought fol
the preservation of the Union, and not fol
the degradation of the White race. To con-
ciliate them, they indorsed President John.
sons policy. In this State they nominated
and elected General Cox-the soldiers can,
didate. Most une1 1uivocally did he avow
opposition to giving to the Negroes coequal
political privileges with the Whites. There.
by he provoked the wrath of the Radicals:
but knowing that without the assistance o.
the soldiers, they could not elect a candi.
date, they made virtue of necessity anj
gave him grudging support. In the Re.
publican State Convention on the 4th, Gov.
ernor Cox could not receive any support a,
q Delegate to the Republican National Con
vont;on Nc hos nrst rpconted his onnoe;