Litchfield enquirer., 1868-01-02

a similar accession from the previously Union sentiment of that section, including such staunch, original opponents of seces- sion as Alexander H. Stevens, Gilmer, John Bell, Foote, and, indeed, nearly every prominent Southern Unionist except John M. Bolts. In both the Union and the re- bellion, while the candidate selected for the Presidency represented the distinctive idea of their respective sections, MT. Lin- coin representing freedom, and Davis sla- very, the candidates for Vice President on both sides were chosen for their Unionism or as representing on behalf of each side the reluctance, rather than the energy,
 with which it entered into the contest. In both the Union and the Confed deracy, also, the party opposing the war was compelled, by overwhelming pressure and force, to cloak it's real sentiment of hostility to the war under cover of hostility to the mode in which it.was conducted. Davis epposi- tion claimed that he was too arbitrary, and listened too little to counsels of others; Lincoln's, that he was too familiar, and yielded to pressure too much. Davis claim ing for himself not only an experience ill statesmanship equal to that of any civilian in the country, but an equally large famil- iarity in military affairs, desired to sur round himself with satellites, and exiled his rivals to foreign missions or to private life. He called no prominent Southern, statesman to his Cabinet, or into the field Generals like J. B. Johnston, who disa- greed with him in politics, must succeed brilliantly indeed to atone for the diver gence. MT. Lincoln. on the contrary, made up his Cabinet of his Presidential rivals, and no others, and placed an immense majority of Democrats in command of our armies, and kept them there with great te- nacity. Even when, as in the cases of Buell., Porter, and Mcclellan, the Repub- hcan party was clamorous for their remov- al, he waited patiently until Democratic Gneral in Chief, on his own motion, chose to relieve them. Having made up his Cabinet originally of Republicans, no sooner was he reinforced by the accession o Union War Democrats, than he selected from among them an ex-member of Bu- chanan's Cabinet for Secretary of War and found in him the ablest war secs etary of the century.
 Towards the rebel army Davis imperson- ated discipline, severity and bad faith, for he turned the bayonets of his troops against ca ch other after their terms had expired, to compel them to remain in the service. But towards the Union army, Lincoln impersonated pardon, never allow ing a soldier to die if his signature would save him, even though at the alleged sac- rifico of discipline &<
 Davis, entering the struggle with a bril- liant reputation, waned into hated and despised leader long before his cause was lost Lincoln, entering upon his office all. most without reputation, grew into nigh ty ascendency over those who, at first might we'll have scorned to have been his rivals, and long before his cause was won, had achieved a popularity that was politi- cally omnipotent. i.4s A. .a. The burning inpetuosity with which the South plunged into the war. was less re- markable than the vast almost incompre- hensible moderation of the North. eff were to chose" said Davis in one of his ad- dresses, s'between the companionship of Yankees and hyenas, I should infinitely prefer the hyenas."
 s'With malice towards none, with charity for all'-replied MT. Lincoln Congress resolved that the war was not waged to de- stroy slavery or the States, but that as soon as the rebel armies should disperse and the Union be sustained, the war would cease. MT. Davis replied, ''We will have indepen- dence or extermination." Mr. Seward in- structed our diplomats abroad to deny that the fate of slavery was involved in the con- test. European Liberals replied naturally, ''then 1t was war of mere dominion, with which we have no sympathy. Why ask us to sympathize with an effort of twenty-four states to conquer twelve?"
 But the ideas that underlay the struggle were stronger than the policies of leaders. For the first two years of the war, Mr. Lin coin conducted 1t on the most conservative principles; Democratic Generals returned fugitive slaves, and were sustained Repub hcan Generals freed them, and were re- moved Democrats who opposed the war, applauded the administration; and a large wing of Republicans were disgusted with MT. Lincoln s conservatism. ..-.
 Suddenly, like clap of thunder out of clear sky, came the promise, in Septem- Der, 1862, of Proclamation of Emancipa- tion on January lst, 1863 But one or two obscure Democratic officers resigned A few Democratic votes fell off, enough to elect Seymour in New York, and to shake Republican majorities in other States. But those who remained were Republicans thenceforth. The Republican vote was weeded out, but it grew more rapidly for the upheaval of the soil and up1ooting the tares s.
 Meanwhile the army was sloughing off it's failures, and educating it's Gen erals Burnside, Hooker, Kearney, Grant, Sher- man, Thomas and Sheridan. The opDosi- tion at the North, attempted but failed to oppose the draft. Twenty-Five thousand troops around New York, and an equal number in Ohio and Indiana, were requir- ed to thwart the opposition, represented by Ben Wood and Chauucey Burr, and Val landigham and Pendleton. Our fearfully decimated but vigorously reinforced, ar mics learned tales of suffering from their emaciated comrades, returning from rebel prisons, that improved their discipline on the battlefield, and ended that habit of ea- sy surrender, in which they were at first encouraged by incompetent and copserva- tive Generals. They began to fight with invincible obstinacy and to win Wctor1es. Yet in every strict military respect, in dis .cipline, courage, generalship, endurance and zeal, the supporters of the rebellion were fully equal, and at first superior, ou the average, to the Union forces. But in the maintenance of their finances and in- dustrial resources, and in care for the con- fort and health of their armies, the con tending parties showed the most marked contrast. :. The Sanitary and Christian