Year: 1864




proposition of peace and kindness, on tn
basis Of The old Union. Disguised as tits by
much verbiage, and hidden under the phra.
seol0gy which has become common in the
South, still 1t means substantially the re.
turn Of the South to the old Government
when it says, "a new Government founded
upon the equality and sovereignty of the
States" In the same proposition it is de-
clared that ''if this cannot be done'-thai
is, If recognition oftheir independence and
the formation of such ''new Government
as above cannot be accomplished, they are
then to consider-what? Mark how, by
seeming to disguise their real meaning,
they really express themselves in favor OF
the old basis. In case they cannot be rec
ognized as Independent, they would 'agree
upon treaties offensive, defensive, and COM
mercial;" meaning clearly that If they do
not obtain recognition they are ready to ac-
cept under the old Government such an ac-
draw us together, politically and CONNER
cially, as against all the world. Could we
expect more as the initiative of negotia-
tion for peace, based ON Union? To what
would not negotiations begun in this spirit
lead! Is 1t not worth the while to make the
experiment.


Now | propose to the gentlemen on the
other side to meet that proposition. Pass
your resolution, either to receive from or
send a commission to Richmond. Send the
distinguished gentleman from New York,
Mr.. Fernando Wood, who you assert is
with the South in sympathy, laughter !
and If he does not come back within sixty
days with proposition of peace based up
on the old Union and the equality and SOW
ereignty of the States" he will agree to join
you in fighting the rebellion to its over
throw. l cannot speak for the peace De-
mocracy, not being recognized as one of
them, (for l am simply Democracy but l
can speak for the gentleman from New
York, who is representative man of that
element and who sits behind me, that he will
in case of failure join you in every proper
war measure until the rebellion is ended.
Dare you do it? Dare you try this expert
ment for peace and Union? Will you not
hear, will you not receive commissioners
with view to end the horrors of this war
and this species OF legislation?
L want to know whether gentlemen on
the other side are willing to restore the old
Union, and whether they are ready to re-
ceive such q commission here and listen to
a proposition to restore it upon that basis,
of State equality and sovereignty. Or are
they in favor of still continuing the strife
without any effort at Cancellation and accu-
mulating pains and penalties until our stat
ute-book groans with them? Are they still
determined to make this q war of eXter-
minatiOn and Of everlasting separation?
Will you continue this war for subjugation
when there is at least a scintilla of hope
held out by the South that they are ready
to retrace their steps and return to their al
legiance? Have you magnanimity enough,
in the midst of our successes and their de-
preston, to stop this piling up of debt and
taxation, and to stay the future effusion of
blood?


/ am forrestoring this Union of equal and
sovereign States as it was in the peaceful
days of the Republic; and if we cannot sue
ceed in that If We cannot treat with those
men on the basis of the old Union and the
equality and sovereignty Of the States, then
after fair trial of this peaceful remedy,
never yet tried, believe every true man, of
whatever name in politics, in the North will
be, as when Sumter fell, thoroughly united
| to fight down the rebellion.


But, sir, you have not tried peaceful set
Element. My proposition falls upon soddon
hearts. You will not try it. You dare not
try it. Your object is not as at least inter
from the remarks of the gentleman from
Pennsylvania Mr.. Kelley, so frankly spo-
ken Just now, to restore the Union. 1t is to
blot out domestic institution with which
you never had any business, and which was
recognized by the Constitution, but which
in dragging down, you are dragging down
our system of local sovereignties and con-
stitutional freedom.


Here the hammer fell.