Year: 1864

J.
States as the interests Of the factions may
dictate. 1t will be a source Of internal dis
order, and disquietude, and national weak
ness in our external relations. IL will give
dangerous allies to the invaders of our
soil.


If this war is to make social revolution
and structural changes in great States, we
have seen only its beginning. Such chan
ges are the work Of time. If they are to be
made by military power, it must be exerted
through long periods Whether white or
bIacY troops are used the diversion from
labor and the cost of war will be equally
prolonged, and we have Just entered upon
Il course OF certain cost and uncertain results


No such changes as are now urged, have
ever, in the worlds history been without
struggles lasting through more than one
generation Of men.


What has Government accomplished in
the territories wrested from rebellion by
-, valor Of our armies? Has it paciied them?
Has it revived the arts ofpeace? Has quiet
and confidence been restored? is commerce
renewed2 Are they not held as they were
conquered, at the expense Of Northern
blood and treasure


Are not our armies wasted by holding un-
der armed control those who, under wise
and generous policy, would have been
friends! The spirit which prompts the
harsh measure of subiugation has driven
off many in the border States, who, at the
crisis Of our country s.fatc, broke away
from their ardent sympathies with the Sc
I ceding States and chung to the Union
States which by the elections Of the people
ranged themselves upon the side of the
Constitution, are not allowed the free ex-
crcse Of the elective franchise. In some
! quarters discomfort has been increased in
no place has the wisdom Of Government
gained allies.


There is but one course that will save us
from national ruin. We must adhere to
the solemn pledge made by our Government
at the outset Of tho war.


We must seek to restore the Union and
uphold the Constitution. To this end,
while we put forth every exertion of mate
rial power to beat down armed rebellion,
we must use every influence of wise states
manship to bring back the States which
now reject their constitutional obligations.


We must hold forth every honorable in
b ducement to the people of the South to as
sumo again the rights and duties of Amer


lean citizenship.


= We have reached that point in the prog
ress of the war. for which all have strup-
: gled and all have put forth united exertions.
, Our armies and navies have won signal
victories; they have done their part with
= courage, skill and success. By the usage of
the civilized world, statesmanship must
now exert its influence. If our cause fails,
in the judgement Of the world it will be
charged to the lack Of wisdom in the Cabi-
net, and not to the want Of bravery or pa
triotism in the army


The great object Of victories is to bring
back peace; We can now with dignity and
t magnauimity proclaim to the world our
wish that States, which have long been
= identified with our history, should resume
their positions in the Union. We now stand
+ before the world a great and successful mil
5 itary power. No one can see the latent vic
tories or defeats which lie in our course if
force and force alone is to be exerted. The
past has taught us the certain cost Of war
, and the uncertainties Of its results
, In this contest, beligerent rights are
+ necessarily conceded to the South. The


usages Of international warfare are practiced
, in the recognition Of flags and the exchange
/, Of prisoners. Is it wise to put off the end


Of the war and thereby continue a rccogni-


ton which tends to familiarize the public
at large with that we are disunited into two


distinct nationalities? \ needlessly pro
tractod war becomes disunion.


Wise craftsmanship can now bring this


war to a close, upon the terms solemnly
avowed at the outset of the contest. Good
faith to the public creditors; to all classes
OF citizens Of our country; to the world, de-
mands that this be done


The triumph won by the soldiers in the
field should be followed up and secured by


the peace making policy of the statesmen
NWthe Cabinet. In no other way can we
'l'Saye the Union.


The fearful struggle which has taught the


North and the South the courage, the en-


durancc and the resources of our people,


have made basis Of mutual respect upon


which a generous and magnanimous policy


can build Il lasting relationship of union,
intercourse and regard If our course is to


be shaped by narrow and vindictivc pas


slons, by venal purposes, or by partisan
T objects, then patriotic people have pour
cd out their blood and treasure in vain and
the future is full of disaster and ruin
We should not seek the disorganization
but the pacifcaton of that section of our
/ country devastated by civil war.
In this hour of triumph appeals should
r be made to States, which are identified with
| the growth and greatness of our country,
and some Of which are associated the patri-
r otto memories of our revolutionary struggle.
: Every generous mind revolts at the thought
VI ueStfOyIllg All IHeSc memories UflaC cllnp
| about the better days of the Republic; that


are connected with the sacrifices of the


men who have made our history glorious by


their services in the cabinet in the forum
and in the field.


The victories which have given our Gov
ernment its present commanding position


We're won by men who rallied around and
fought beneath the folds of flag whose


stars represent each State in the Union. If


we strike out of existence single State,


we make that flag falsehood. When we
extinguish the name of any one of the orig
inal States, we dishonor the historic stripes
of our national banner Let the treasona-


bic task Of defacing our flag be left to those


who war upon our government, and who
? would destroy the unity of our country.


Faith to our armies and our citizens de-


mand that we keep sacred the solemn pledge


made to our people and to the civilized
world, when we engaged in this bloody war,


that it is not waged in any spirit of OPP


preston, or. for any purpose of conquest


or subiugation, Or purpose of overthrow


ing or interfering with the rights of estab-


lished Institutions in those States, but to


defend and maintain the supremacy of the


Constitution, and to preserve the Union
: with all the dignity, equality and rights of
!, the several States unimpaired and when
these objects are accomplished, the war