The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-11-18
How is itP
D. G.

Some difference of opinion have here
existed as to whether the late
war has secured the object for which it
was inaugura:ed, CT has thus far failed
to realize the cx~pectatioDs Of those who
were originally in favor of it. Taking
as The true exposition Of the intent of
our government in resOrting TO arms in
order 10 suppress the rebellion Of the
Southern States, the plain and forcib.e
words Of President IiAcoln, as well as
the explirit declarations OF Congress it
self, we are bound TO say that the sole
object Of the war, was, to restore the
rccusant States to their normal reia-
tons to the %centrll government under
the Constitution. When that end
should have been secured, it was uni-
y~ersa.ly believed that h IStiihies ought
to cease and that any further warlike
demonstrations would be inexpedient
AMI unjust. Thon, therefore, the
misguided Confederatos gave upthe
contest and laid down their arms, the
time had arrived, according to the dec.
larations referred to, rot only for a ccs
sation of hostilities, but for an immedi
ate return TO the lawful usates Of the
government. But, for reasons never
satisfactorily explained, such a result
has never been realized. Various de-
vices and cxpcdIcnts have been resort
ed to, as aGjnucis % the Congressional
Elan Of reconstruction, but not a word
has been said or. a thing done to restore
tho government to the condition con
tempIated by Mr.. Lincoln, and a. the
fine referred to by Congress itself
To This extent, although the war may
not have proved a failnre in the now
popular acceptation Of the word, it has
-iailad, thus FIR, to secure the desired
result. Ard herein is presented the
task which the new Administrations is
desired AID expected to perform We
have been = thousand times assured
that the policy Of Gen. Grant is en-
bodied in the four short words "let us
have peace :" but how can that object
be secured in anyway other than that
IF an immcdiate Restoration or TIC sub
dued States to their rights under the
Constitution. according to the original
programme? AID if the rewiy cleo
ted President goes back TO the point
from which congress departed, not on
" from the Constitution but from the
declared purposes of its w party, and
begins anew the work Of reconstruction,
what will those by whom he has been
elected think aud say aboutit? The
exclamation 'let us have peace in
plies that we have not yet obtained IT (;
and for the life Of US We are entirely
unable to see how that blessing is to be
obtained in any other way than by ad
opting tbe.theory of Dir. Lincoln and
re training from the luxury. Of Offering
any futhcr indignities To a-subdded and
Impoverished people. The conduct OF
Gen. Grant, 0 less than that OF Gen.
Sherman, at tie time of Gen. Lees sur
render, was just and maganilhous, and
we have yet to hear che frs. word IN
condemnation of it. Can it for a mo
ment be supposed, that, on assuming
the conduct of our national affairs, he
will undo what he then did, and unsay
what he declared to be his honest con
vie;ions after his return from his tour
of observation at the South We are
no prophets, but sec, or think We Sc,
a small cloud, not bigger than q mans
hand, in the blue sky over the heads
Of our Radical friends, which may, in
the end, and at nc lar distant day re.
suit in a small tempest. A true love
even of oaioe aud emolumsnt-does
not always run smoothly. ~"Let us have
reacc r!H+ISlasn Dealer.