d there is not a Republican in the land who
does not know it."

In the Sidney speech, Mr. Vallandigham says, also:

"What will you have now? Four years more of war? What guaranties of
success have you? Do you want two million more of men to go forth
to this war as the Crusaders went to the sepulcher at Jerusalem?
The beginning of this administration found us with very little
debt, comparatively no taxation, and peace and happiness among the
States; and now look at the scene! Four more years of war, do you
tell me, when the first four, with every advantage, has failed?
Now, too, that the hearts of one-half of the people are turned away
from war, and intent upon the arts of peace? What will be the
consequence? Four thousand millions more of debt, five hundred
millions more of taxation, more conscriptions, more calls for five
hundred thousand men, more sacrifices for the next four years. All
this is what Abraham Lincoln demands of you in order that the South
may be compelled not to return to the Union, but to abandon
slavery."

All this logic, this eloquence, this taxing the imagination to
portray the horrors of war, failed to deceive the people; Lincoln
was re-elected; the war went on, and a few short months witnessed
the end of the armed rebellion, and the triumph of liberty and of
Union.

Now came the work of reconstruction. The leaders of the Peace
Democracy, who had failed in every measure, in every plan, in every
opinion, and in every prediction relating to the war, were promptly
on hand, and with unblushing cheek were prepared to take exclusive
charge of the whole business of reorganization and reconstruction.
They had a plan all prepared--a plan easily understood, easily
executed, and which they averred would be satisfactory to all
parties. Their plan was in perfect harmony with the conduct and
history of its authors and friends during the war. They had been in
very close sympathy with the men engaged in the rebellion, while
their sympathy for loyal white people at the South was not strong,
and they were bitterly hostile to loyal colored people both North
and South. Their plan was consistent with all this.

According to it, the rebels were to be treated in the same manner
as if they had remained loyal. All laws, State and Nation