The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-08-11
The shortest way 10 the End

Four years ago, the loyal States we're
struggling TO put down the reeeiIIon.
They were in desperate earnest. Ihey
had sacrificed millions OF treasure ana
| thousands of lives, and were prepared
for greater sacrifices 20 purchase VIC
tory. Cost what 1t might the reoel!ion
should be CONQUERED: Such was tnelr
resolute purpose. They would not us
ten to concession or compromise. Ihey
saw clearly that the shortest road 70
peace was by military success. me
rebels must be beaten before tneV
would yield.
those views clearly and strongly
Peace was declared, but only through
unconditional submission. The reoels
bad taken up arms; they must lay them
down. They bad reyoitedi they must
surrender. Republican statesmen Pc
lIieyed The ConfederRcy Was cTumbliDg
and must go down. They held that If
Mr.. Lincoln was reelected, and the
South saw that the war would be prose-
ctued vigorously. the end was near.
The struggle would be soon over, If the
South knew that ruin was inevtvita bic,
and the government was determined TO
win.
The Democratic party argued in a
different strain. The war was fail
ure. they said. The South conld not
be conquered. The struggle must end
in compromfse; and peace should be at
once sought by concessions. The brave
southern heart, they added, would new
er yield, but it might be conciliated.-
On such a platform they nominated
General Mcclellan, and made an ap-
peal for national support.
The Republicans gained a victory at
the polls, and this gave the victory in
the field. The southern people lost
heart and hope, when they saw that
defeat was inevitable. In few months
the rebellion was utterly crushed. The
surrender was absolute. From the Po'
tomac to the southern boarder of Tex
as, there was no thought OF resistance.
The conquered were retdy to accept
any terms, to comply with any condi-
tons. Who does not see that II the
democratic party had triumphed, the
rebellion would have triumphed with
II. Lee and Johnson would never
have surrendered.
Through the treacheTy of Mr.. John
son, supported by the democratic party,
the fruits of the former victory have
been lost, and the old battle must be
fought over again. The rebel leaders
are as bitter and unyielding now, as
/ when they marched under banners.
Wade Hampton says, at Gen. Lees
College, 81 believe that the cause fol-
which Stonewall Jackson fell will yel
will be loyal only in case the democrat
ic ticket is elected. The Southern pa.
pers are already urging new rebellion,
in the event of political defeat.
Now, as then, the two parties divide
in policy. The Republican party says
these rabels must submiti they must
accept the new conditions incurred BY
their revolt and defeat; we will make
no concessions or compromise with dis
| loyalty: the Government shall be obey
ed, cost what 1t may.
The Democratic party says we must
| yield to the Southern demands, and al
| low the rebel leaders to rule again, anC
| put back the freedmen under the yoke
Otherwise the South will be FESTIVE ant
we shall never have peace.
We hold now, as we held four year
] ago, that the shortest road to peace i!
by victory. The Southern rebels mus
be beaten or they will never yield. Thu
turnpike of the Government is almos
complete. Seven of the rebel Statei
are restored to the Union. If Grant Il
elected President the three others will
speedily follow. Let the rebel leader
be convinced that their only hope o
restoration and political power lies il
submission, and they will yield, al
their armies yielded four years ago, Il
Grant and Sherman. There WAS grand
Eloquent talk then about the last ditch
| w IhS huu t4AlA Col
talk forever in that strain, but tbey
cannot resist political necessity. ThI
election of Grant will compel the sur,
) render of the rebel politicians, as tn
reelection of Lincoln forced the sur
render of the rebel armies. This is thu
shortest road TO peace and to perma
nent Union.
II, by any calamity, Seymour ant
Blair are elected, the country enter
upon a new era of strife. The war i
indefinitely prolonged Union men viii
be driven from the South: the freed
men will be disfrauchised; the govern
ments now established in the Southern
States will be overthrown, and orde
will be reduced to chaos.
To lovers OF peace there is but on
road open. The leaders oithe rebellion
who are as violent now as ever, mus
be put down at once and effectively.
This can be, done by electing Grant
and the loyal citizens of the North ant
South are in earnest to effect it. They
are weary of agitation, and mean nov
to put an end to the long controversy
Mons. TOnsOn Come Again.
From the Wtu. burg Herald.
Tho mn blic haan1t heard much of Hum