Year: 1864

in any good. He would accept nothing
short OF the severance of the Union
precisely what we cannot and will not
give. His declarations to this effect arc
explicit, and oft repeated. He does not
attempt to deceive us. He affords US no
excuse to deceive ourselves. He cannot
voluntarily re-acccpt the Union; We oan-
not Voluntarily yield it. Between him
and us the issue is distinct, simple and in.
flexible. 1t is an issue which can only
be tried by war and decided by victory.
If we yield, we are beaten; if the South.
ern people fail him, he is beaten. Either
way, it would be the victory aud defeat
following war.


What is true, however. Of him who
heads the insurgcnt cause, is not necessa.
rly true Of those who follow. Although
he cannot re-accept the Union. they can.
Some of them we already know desire
peace and re-union-the number may in-
crease. They can at any moment have
peace simply by laying down their arms
and submitting to the National authority
under the Constitution. After SO much
the Government can not, if it would,
maintain war against them the loyal
people would not sustain or allow it. If
questions should remain, we would adjust
them by the peaceful means Of legisla-
ton, conferences, courts and votes, oper.
ating only in constitutional and lawful
channels.


Some certain and other possible ques.
tions are and would be beyond the exccu.
tive power to adjust; as for instance, the
admission of members of Congress and
whatever mi hit require the appropriation
of money. The executive power itself
would be greatly diminished by the cessa.
ton of actual war. Pardons and remiss-
ions of forfeitures, however, would still
be within executive control, In What
spirit and temper this control would be
exercised can be fairly judged Of by tho
past.


A year ago a general pardon and am
nesty upon specified terms were offered to
all except certain designated classes, and
it was at the time made known that the
excepted classes were still within the con-
temptation of special clemency. During
the year many ayailed themselves Of the
general provisions, and many more would
only that the sigus Of bad faith in some
led to such precautionary measures as
rendered the practical process less easy
and certain.


During the samcstime, also special
pardons have been granted to individuals
of the excepted class, ard no voluntary
application has been denied. Thus prac-
tcalIy the door has been, for full year,
open to all except such as were not in
condition to make free choice. That is
such as were in custody or under con-
straint. 1t is still open to all, but the
time may come, probably will come, when
public duty shall demand that it be clos
ed, and that it be more rigorous than
heretofore. In presenting the abandon.
ment of armed resistance to the national
authority, on the part Of the insurgents,
as 7the only Indispensable condition to
ending the war, on the part of the Gov
crnment, rctract nothing heretofore said
as to slavery.


| repeat the declaration made year
ago, and that while | remain in my pres
cut position | shall not attempt to retract
or modify the emancipation proclamation,
nor shall return to slavery any person
who is free by the terms of that procla'
nation, or by any of the acts of Con.
gress. II the people should, by whatever
mode or means, make it an executive duty
TO re.inslave such persons, another, not l.
must lie their instrument to perform it.


In stating single condition Of peace,
mean simply to say, that the war viii
cease on the part Of the Government
Whenever it shall have ceased on the part
Of those who began it.


ABRAHAM LINCOLN.