Year: 1864

Hon. MiIIard Fillmore on the War.


The following is extract from the elo-
quent address delivered by the Hon MILLARD
FILLNoRE. February 22d. upon the occasion
of the inauguration OF the great Central Fair
at Buffalo:


But now. alasi all this Is changed.
Three years OF civil war have desoated the fair
est portion Of our land loaded the country with
an enormous debt. that the sweat of millions vet
unborn must be taxed to paw; array ed brother
against brother and father against son in mortal
combat: 6euged our country with fraternal blood,
whitened our battleheds with the bones of the
slain, and darkened the sky with the pail of
mourning. Yet these appalling calamities which
as yet have touched our city more lightly than
ahy other in the land, have imposed upon US new
duties. which must be promptly met aud gener-
ously discharged; and new burdens, which must
he patiently and cheerfully borne.


We cannot.in our humble capacity, control
the events of this desolating war We hear its
thunders and mark the track of It's desolation,
and must meet emergency as best we can, but
never despair of the republic. 1t is no time now
to inquire whether it might have qeen avoided
Let those who seek light on this subject read
Washington's Forewel Address. Nor are We
now to criticise the conduct OF those who con
tro il, awarding praise here and censure there
The impartial historian will do this when the
passions engendered by the strife have cooled,
and partizan prejudice. petty jealousies. malig-
nant envy, and intriguing, selfish ambition shall
be laid in the dust, and il is hoped, buried in OBJ
livion. And much less are we called upon to pre-
dict when how this will end. Let those
who seek light on this subject read Gen. Jack
sons Farewell Address.


But let US hope that an all wise and mercful
Providence viii incline the hearts of the people,
North and South TO peace-to a lasting peace,
with restoret Union, cemented by fraternal
affection. under our well tried and glorious Con-
sttution.


Nor is this the time or place to express an
opinion TO the policy that should be pursued TO
reach so desirable an end. But one thing is
clear that much must be forgiven, il not forgot
ten, on both sides, before this Union can ever be
restored and therefore il is TO be hoped that all
unnecessary acts of cruelty, or wanton destruc-
ton of private property. or insult, or insolence,
in 'rumphing over a fallen foe, should be avoid
ed; for, all such acts only fire the heart of our
adversary with resentment and revenge, and thus
protract the war, increase its horrors, and leave
sting which will render reunion more difficult, if
not impossible.


But it must be apparent to all that the first
step toward bringing this war TO a close is TO
conquer the rebel army. Any negotiations for
peace before this is done would prove abortve
and any professed clemency 10 those in arms





would be treated with ridcule aud contempt
But when we have conquered their armies and
disposed of their leaders, then let US show our
magnanimty and generosity by winning back the
deluded multitude who have been seduced or
coerced into this rebellion. by extending to them
every act of kindness and clemency in our power,
and by restoring them to all their rights under
the Constitution. This | conceive TO be Chris
tian forgiveness and the best policy, and the
only one which can ever restore this Union.


But to accomplish this, the Administration
must be supported in all its constitutional efforts
to conquer ana cisperse the rebel army; and here
let me remark that present appearances indicate
more bloody campaign the ensuing season than
any we have yet had. The course of events has
done much 10 incite the South and intensity its
hatred to the North, and desperation will lend
energy and boldnesS to their efforts. Ii is never
wise to under estimate the power of your adj
yersary. We must, therefore, give up the con-
test, and conseRt TO dissolution, which, /
ture to say. no man who loves bis country is pre-
pared to do, or we must send an army into the
field sufficiently strong success; for IL
we do not conquer and disperse the rebel army
the ensuing campaign. the war may be pro.
tracted indefinitely, and finally end 10 separation,
dishonor and utter ruin of the country. / say,
therefore, that the Administration must have
sufficient men and money, and this though we
may not always approve of the use that is made
of either We can only act in this matter
through the powers that be. Any other course
would produce counter-revoluton that would end
in anarchy.