The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-02-15
The Washington Peace Conference.

The Washington Peace Conference.
Some of the republican papers, and not
few republicans, affect an entire want of faith
in the accomplishment of any good, by the
peace convention, now in session at Wash
ington assuming imprimis, that nothing
can be done without concession of principle.
We, however, are of the number who believe
sacrifice Of opinion is sometimes as effective
in settling difficulties as sacrifice Of principle;
and it seems to US the lack of comfy which
a neglect to answer the call of Virginia would
have evinced on the part of Vermont, would
have added to the already deep feeling Of the
border states, that Vermont is extreme and
unyelding in her views towards her South
ern brethren.
That our Executive acted under convictions
formed by a knowledge of the views Of our
Congressional delegation, and after knowl
edge of the course decided upon to be pur
sued by other New England states, We have
good reason to believe; and that he acted
with higher motive-that of true patriot,
ardently desiring that the asperities now e1-
listing between two sections of a common
country, should by conciliatory intercourse,
moderate debate and action, be softened, and
the way opened for their ultimate removal,
We have no less reason to believe.
We think the Importance of this conven-
ton can hardly be overestimated in its deve-
opment Of the Union sentiment of MARYLAND.
Kentucky and Tennessee, and it is with un-
feigned pleasure that We know Vermont by
her course has had a marked and happy effect
upon its deliberations and counsels.
The following article from the Springfield
Republican of Monday is so much to the
point, as well as in accordance of our own
ideas on this subject, that We copy it nearly
entire
Some STRAIGHTFORWARD folks profess to look
with an indifference bordering on contempt
upon all efforts made to arrest the dsunion
movement. Because there is really no solid
basis for it in actual wrongs suffered by the
slave states, and because it is evident to any
cool-headed man that they mus, lose infinite
ly more than they can hope to gain by disso-
luton of the Union, these men say there is
no danger of such catastrophe, or if there
is danger there is nothing to be done bu,
wait till the Southcrners come to their senses
and find out what fools they are. 1t is true
that the slave states need no better and surer
guarantees than they have in the present con-
stitutior, and it is true that the constitution
gives them advantages now which the free
states would not concede if we were now ma
king the ncn for the first time and it is
beyond doubt that the North should stand
firm for sound constitutional principles, and
yield nothing to menace. But this is a one
sided view of the matter. There are some
other duties besides standing firm and adher-
Ing strictly to principle-duties not inconsis-
tent with these, but needful to be combined
with them when You would make true
statesman out of true man. And one es-
sential requisite, in time of strife and mis-
conception like the present, is conciliatory
spirit 1t is not the right thing to say to the
South: "You are mad and unreasonable
we can do nothing for you" But the true
statesman will say name your wrongs
and we will consider them; make Your prop
osltions for adjustment, and they shall have
fair hearing, and we will accept them if VT
cam" We interpret the acceptance by the
free states of Nirginia's invitation to con.
fpr IT, i
magnanlmous sentiment. There is great
provocation to assume a defiant tone and
bearing in response to that of the secession
its. But not only patriotism forbids this, but
proper selfrespect. The free states are strong
and seif-reliant. They can afford to be mag
unanimous. They can afford to be calm. as
those are who have done no wrong and have
nothing to fear.
1t is well that the North and West have
responded to the call of Virginia, and have
sent some Of their ablest and best citizens to
Washington to consult together and give
their joint advice 20 the country as to the
means of saving and re-establishins the Un-
ion. They may not fix upon the precise plan
which will be adopted But they can hardly
fail to contribute to better understanding
between the sections, and 50 help essentially
towards peaceful solution of the difficulty
it is evident that if the border states follow
the lead of the cotton states disunion must
become reality. and must be eventually re-
cognized as such while, ON the other hand
the prospect is that the states already out
will return if it is found they cannot carry
oti the entire South. The final decision is
therefore making up, and it depends very
much upon the action of Virginia. The
strong vote Of Virginia against immediate Sc
ces>lon indicates her disposition to remain in
the MON. Yet there are strong influences
at work to draw her to the Southern confed-
eracy, and many of her prominent politicians
are strongly committed in advance to the Sc
eession movement. Virginia is not saved to
the Union yet, by any means. But her face
now turns unionward, and there is at least a
iair prospect that she may be retained BY
some adjustment: that can be consented to by
the North. Her secessionists will erdeavor
to make Virginia insist on the Crittenden
plan as an ultimatum, for the purpose of DO.
teatlng settlement, but there is reason to
hope that the Adams plan, Or something o,
Gually acceptable to the North, will answer
the purpose, and if so the salvation of the
Union may soon be assured.
All the interests of Virginia are with the
Union. She is not only the "mother Of pres.
idents," but of large proportion Of the ex-
ecutlve officers of the federal government un-
der all administrations. She can never have