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nquered； and subjugated。
The people of all this region are represented in the Army of Virginia； at Charleston； Mobile； and Chattanooga。 They have sons and relations in each of the rebel armies； and naturally are interested in their fate。 Though we hold military possession of the key…points of their country； still they contend； and naturally； that should Lee succeed in Virginia； or Bragg at Chattanooga； a change will occur here also。 We cannot for this reason attempt to reconstruct parts of the South as we conquer it； till all idea of the establishment of a Southern Confederacy is abandoned。 We should avail ourselves of the present lull to secure the strategical points that will give us an advantage in the future military movements； and we should treat the idea of civil government as one in which we as a nation have a minor or subordinate interest。 The opportunity is good to impress on the population the truth that they are more interested in civil government than we are； and that； to enjoy the protection of laws； they most not be passive observers of events； but must aid and sustain the constituted authorities in enforcing the laws； they must not only submit themselves； but should pay their share of taxes； and render personal services when called on。
It seems to me； in contemplating the history of the past two years； that all the people of our country； North； South； East； and West； have been undergoing a salutary political schooling； learning lessons which might have been acquired from the experience of other people； but we had all become so wise in our own conceit that we world only learn by actual experience of our own。 The people even of small and unimportant localities； North as well as South； had
reasoned themselves into the belief that their opinions were superior to the aggregated interest of the whole nation。 Half our territorial nation rebelled； on a doctrine of secession that they themselves now scout； and a real numerical majority actually believed that a little State was endowed with such sovereignty that it could defeat the policy of the great whole。 I think the present war has exploded that notion； and were this war to cease now； the experience gained； though dear； would be worth the expense。
Another great and important natural truth is still in contest； and can only be solved by war。 Numerical majorities by vote have been our great arbiter。 Heretofore all men have cheerfully submitted to it in questions left open； but numerical majorities are not necessarily physical majorities。 The South； though numerically inferior； contend they can whip the Northern superiority of numbers； and therefore by natural law they contend that they are not bound to submit。 This issue is the only real one； and in my judgment all else should be deferred to it。 War alone can decide it； and it is the only question now left for us as a people to decide。 Can we whip the South？ If we can； our numerical majority has both the natural and constitutional right to govern them。 If we cannot whip them； they contend for the natural right to select their own government； and they have the argument。 Our armies must prevail over theirs； our officers； marshals； and courts； must penetrate into the innermost recesses of their land； before we have the natural right to demand their submission。
I would banish all minor questions； assert the broad doctrine that as a nation the United States has the right； and also the physical power； to penetrate to every part of our national domain； and that we will do itthat we will do it in our own time and in our own way； that it makes no difference whether it be in one year； or two； or ten； or twenty； that we will remove and destroy every obstacle； if need be； take every life； every acre of land； every particle of property； every thing that to us seems proper； that we will not cease till the end is attained； that all who do not aid us are enemies； and that we will not account to them for our acts。 If the people of the South oppose； they do so at their peril； and if they stand by； mere lookers…on in this domestic tragedy； they have no right to immunity； protection； or share in the final results。
I even believe and contend further that； in the North； every member of the nation is bound by both natural and constitutional law to 〃maintain and defend the Government against all its enemies and opposers whomsoever。〃 If they fail to do it they are derelict； and can be punished； or deprived of all advantages arising from the labors of those who do。 If any man； North or South； withholds his share of taxes； or his physical assistance in this； the crisis of our history； he should be deprived of all voice in the future elections of this country； and might be banished； or reduced to the condition of a mere denizen of the land。
War is upon us； none can deny it。 It is not the choice of the Government of the United States； but of a faction； the Government was forced to accept the issue； or to submit to a degradation fatal and disgraceful to all the inhabitants。 In accepting war； it should be 〃pure and simple〃 as applied to the belligerents。 I would keep it so； till all traces of the war are effaced； till those who appealed to it are sick and tired of it； and come to the emblem of our nation； and sue for peace。 I would not coax them； or even meet them half…way； but make them so sick of war that generations would pass away before they would again appeal to it。
I know what I say when I repeat that the insurgents of the South sneer at all overtures looking to their interests。 They scorn the alliance with the Copperheads； they tell me to my face that they respect Grant； McPherson； and our brave associates who fight manfully and well for a principle； but despise the Copperheads and sneaks at the North； who profess friendship for the South and opposition to the war； as mere covers for their knavery and poltroonery。
God knows that I deplore this fratricidal war as much as any man living； but it is upon us； a physical fact； and there is only one honorable issue from it。 We must fight it out； army against army； and man against man； and I know； and you know； and civilians begin to realize the fact； that reconciliation and reconstruction will be easier through and by means of strong； well…equipped； and organized armies than through any species of conventions that can be framed。 The issues are made； and all discussion is out of place and ridiculous。 The section of thirty…pounder Parrott rifles now drilling before my tent is a more convincing argument than the largest Democratic meeting the State of New York can possibly assemble at Albany； and a simple order of the War Department to draft enough men to fill our skeleton regiments would be more convincing as to our national perpetuity than an humble pardon to Jeff。 Davis and all his misled host。
The only government needed or deserved by the States of Louisiana； Arkansas； and Mississippi； now exists in Grant's army。 This needs； simply； enough privates to fill its ranks； all else will follow in due season。 This army has its well…defined code of laws and practice； and can adapt itself to the wants and necessities of a city； the country； the rivers； the sea； indeed to all parts of this land。 It better subserves the interest and policy of the General Government； and the people here prefer it to any weak or servile combination that would at once； from force of habit； revive sad perpetuate local prejudices and passions。 The people of this country have forfeited all right to a voice in the councils of the nation。 They know it and feel it； and in after…years they will be the better citizens from the dear bought experience of the present crisis。 Let them learn now； and learn it well； that good citizens must obey as well as command。 Obedience to law； absoluteyea； even abjectis the lesson that this war； under Providence； will teach the free and enlightened American citizen。 Aa a nation； we shall be the better for it。
I never have apprehended foreign interference in our family quarrel。 Of coarse； governments founded on a different and it may be an antagonistic principle with ours naturally feel a pleasure at our complications； and； it may be； wish our downfall； but in the end England and France will join with us in jubilation at the triumph of constitutional government over faction。 Even now the English manifest this。 I do not profess to understand Napoleon's design in Mexico； and I do not； see that his taking military possession of Mexico concerns us。 We have as much territory now as we want。 The Mexicans have failed in self…government； and it was a question as to what nation she should fall a prey。 That is now solved； and I don't see that we are damaged。 We have the finest part of the North American Continent； all we can people and can take care of； and； if we can suppress rebellion in our own land； and compose the strife generated by it； we shall have enough people； resources； and wealth； if well combined； to defy interference from any and every quarter。
I therefore hope the Government of the United States will continue； as heretofore； to collect； in well…organized armies； the physical strength of the nation； applying it； as heretofore； in assert