--The Northern papers bring us the first expression of opinion on the war that we have seen from
Millard Fillmore.
At the opening of the great Central. Fair, at St. James's Hall,
Buffalo, he is reported to have spoken as follows:
‘
Three years of civil war have desolated the fairest portion of our land; loaded the country with an enormous debt that the sweat of millions yet unborn must be taxed to pay; arrayed brother against brother and father against con in mortal conflict; deluged our country with fraternal blood; whitened our battle finds with the bounce of the slain, and darkened the sky with the pall of mourning.
Yet these appalling calamities — which as yet have touched our city more lightly than any other in the land — have imposed upon us new duties, which must be promptly met and generally discharged, and new burdens which must be 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 desolation, and we must meet the emergency as best we can, but never despair of the republic.
It is no time now to inquire whether it might have been avoided.
Let those who seek light on this subject read
Washington's Farewell Add ess. Nor are we now to criticise the conduct of those who control it, awarding praise here and bestowing censure there.
The impartial historian will this when the passions engendered by the strife have cooled, and partisan prejudice, petty jealousies malignant envy, and intriguing, selfish ambition shall be laid in the dust.
and, it is hoped buried in oblivion.
As much less are we called upon to predict when or how this war will end. Let those who seek light on the subject read
Gen. Jackson's
Farewell Address.
But let us hope an all-wise, and merciful
Providence will the hearts of the people, North and South, to peace — to a lasting peace, with a restored Union, commented by fraternal affection, under our well-tried and glorious Constitution
Nor is this the time or place to express an opinion as to the policy then should be pursued to reach so desirable an end. But one thing is clear, that much must be forgiven, if not forgotten, on both sides, before this Union can ever be restored and, therefore it in to be hoped that all unnecessary acts of cruelty or wanton destruction of private property, or insult, or insolence in triumphing over a fallen foe should be avoided; for all such acts only fire the heart of our adversary with resentment and revenge and thus protract the war, increase its herrops, and leave a sting which will reader reunion more difficult it not impossible.
But it must be apparent to all that the first step toward bringing this war to a close is to conquer the bet army.
Any negotiations for peace before this is done would prove abortive; and any professed clemency to those in arms who duly our power would be a mockery which would be treated with ridicule and contempt.
But, when we have conquered their armies, and disposed of their leaders, then let us show our magnanimity and generosity by winning back the deluded multitude who have been seduced or coerced into this rebellion, by extending to them every act of clemency and kindness in our power, and by restoring them to all their rights under the
Constitution.
This I conceive to be Christian forgiveness and the best policy, and the only one which can ever restore this Union.
