These men are for the present destitute of power. Should our
armies penetrate those regions, the inhabitants may essentially aid in
the reestablishment of the government. Still, for the present, we must
regard the eleven States as a unit in the rebellion. Thus we are called
to note the anomalous fact that the rebels seek a division between a
people who speak the same language, occupy a territory which has no
marked lines or features of separation, and who have from the first day
of their national existence been represented by the same national
government. Hence it is plain, whatever may be the immediate result of
the contest, that there can be no permanent peace until the territory
claimed as the territory of the United States is again subject to one
government. This may be the work of a few months, it may be the work of
a few years, or it may be the business of a century. Without the
reestablishment of the government over the whole territory of the Union
there can be no peace; and without the reestablishment of that
government there can be no prosperity.
The armies of the rebel States will march to the great lakes, or the
armies of the loyal States will march to the gulf of Mexico.
Pages:
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322