Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-02-13
THE PEACE. CONGRESS i.

"A Washington correspondent furnishes the fol
lowing in connection with the proceedings OF the
Peace Congress on Wednesday. As they OCCASION
ally sit with closed DOORS it is difficult to say how
this correspondent obtained his information, but We
give it for what it is worth =. e.
The Peace Congress are making little progress
They move slowly and surely. Their sessions still
incline to be secret. AT their meeting this morn
ing. after adopting rules by which they are to be
governed, Mr.. Guthrie. Of Kentucky, offered reso-
luton for the appointment of committee one from
each State to be selected by the delegates Of each
State-on whom is to devolve the important d1ty Of
reporting some plan of adjustment.
Mr. Guthrie sustained his motion in a powerful
and patriotic speech, in which he showed the great
importance Of speedy settlement of the political
differences now dstracting the country. The great
Mississippi Valley he stated had right to be heard
on this vital question She had more at stake in
this matter than any other section Of the Union and
he called upon the Convention to come forward and
in proper spirit laying aside all prejudice and bias
adjust the differences which had we'll nigh destroy
ed and if not speedily settled, would entirely de-
stroy our glorious Union.
Mr.. William G. Rives of Virginia, followed in the
same strain, making patriotic appeal to the con.
servatives, urging the adoption of Mr. Guthres res
olution .-...
Mr.. Caleb B. Smith, of Indiana, also spoke in favor
of the resolution He was for doing everything that
was honorable and just to bring about an amicable
settlement
Mr.. Chase, of Ohio, also sustained the resolution,
and made an exceedingly conservative speech. He
was willing to concede every thing that was proper
and right to the border States and he thought that
by mutual concessions on all sides the troubles that
now menaced the Union might be happily and speed
| lily averted.
| Mr.. Seldom, of Virginia, conceded with much
that had been said. He hoped the resolution would
be adopted, and that the Convention would proceed
at once to the important matter for which they as
sembled
Judge Ruffn, of North Carolina, made powerful
appeal in BEHALF as he said of the Old North State
whose people were anxious for settlement Of the
questions at issue between the two sections. He
alluded to the alarming posture of affairs, and the
imminent peril of the country The questions before
this Convention were of the highest importance,
and he urged every member to lay aside his party
feelings and devote himself to the cause of his
country. His speech was listened to with profound
attention
Mr.. Amos Tuck, of New Hampshire, spoke in
favor of the resolution. He, too was anxious for
early settlement of the agitating questions that
divide the two sections.
Other speeches were made, and the debate was
continued until nearly three o'clock, when the ques
ton was put and unanimously carried
After some further preliminary business, among
WHICH Was InOtlOH ltaI COnVcLtiOH
the press with synopsis of their proceedings each
day, which was referred to a committee, who are tt
report upon it o,morrow the Convention adjourned
Minnesota will appoint delegates to the Peac'
Conference. Judge Goodrich and Captain Blakel,
now here, will probably be appointed by Governo
Ramsey.
1t is thought by some Southern members that tn
commissioners may agree upon Crittenden's com
promise, modified so as to compose Senate Of tw
classes of members, Northern and Southern, witt
the constitutional provision that no new territor
shall be acquired without the sanction of majorit
of each Glass; this proposition to be submitted to
convention composed of delegates chosen directl
from the people.
The latest speculations in Republican circle
about the Peace Conference to the effect that tn
proceedings will be protracted until after the 4th
March. Delay is desired by non-compromisers,
order that Mr.. Lincoln shall have the ecat of pr
senting propositions in his inaugural that will lea
to peaceful solution of the difficulties.