Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-05-26

hold the authors ui bis unnatural war respor
sible, snd pcs sfitY viii in the Measure OF il
condemnation render a due reward 70 II
workers Of iniquity who have not set Go
before their eyes 40 regarded bis laws.
It might be well to reflect also whether
spirit has not already been aroused in ID
North, which assumes to dictate to the Cos
eminent what policy Il shall pursue, aud B
what measures that policy shall be followed
Whether there is not even now In the ascen
daht spirit which under the guss Of support
ing the Administration, seeks its own selfs
and ambitious ends, and for their attainmen
will not hssk2te 70 traBpls down all lawfr
authority, and ep The ruinI OF the eonstitu
tional government erect q despotism, cmel
remoTseless and unscFupulous, that will erus
out tbs last remains Of liberty.
The delav to strike the first blow, indicate
! the relastauee which both parties feel, to en-
gage in a conflict, the Issues Of which ar
more momeuious tban the world has ever wit
messed, in the history OF contending nations
The extraordinary circumstances attendinl
I the assault upon, and The surrender Of For
i Sampter-that not man was killed, or dan
i gerouslV wounded, on either side, under ter
rife fire. with well appointed artillery, direct
I ed By officers Of Acknowledged ability, durini
tbirt7-thrse hours, is fact that ought to Bpeal
I to the parties in this impending struggle, witt
I the emphasis Of a voice from heaven, warning
them to heyars how they begin the work o
death. Connect With this fact, that other cir
cumF.ance that az the critical moment whel
the rsiief squadron shosld have borne to th
belesgusred garrison the requisite assistance
to maintain ite position, then the rising o
8 gale drove lls vessels far out to sea, an,
rendered succor and deliverance alike imprac,
teable and hopeless. In directing attention {,
these things, as indicating to the thoughtful
mind the Intervention OF divine Providence al
such . time and in such a case, trust, niy,
am net travelling beyond the range on aps'
pioul reflections to which your position AnC
your Christian profession so naturally lead.
eanno' but Indulge the hope that another effori
to heal our unhappy divisions and restore
peace to a distracted people will be made be.
fore struggle is begun, which, end as Il may,
must be attended BY ncalculable suffering, and
leave wounds never to be healed. It was only
last evening that ! received from a distin.
guished gentleman residing in Philadelphia, q
letter in which be says large part of the
North, | sincerely believe, deprecate blood
shed and civil war have Just signed a petit
tion 10 the President to suspend hostile pro-
ceedings tin one more effort at peaceful con
ference sh7ll be made.D
A hearty response, I doubt not, will be
given to this proposal from every part OF the
country. But viii the Government second it2
The people oe the SoHlh ask only for peace;
they say to you, take the army, the navy, the
munitions Of war, the Treasury, and let us
separate from You, 10 peace
Fer the forts and custom houses, seized on
our territory, for the armsments and arsenals
we have taken, we viii account to the last
dollar, and make payment. awe are brethren:
let uB not strive" "No,'' it is replied, ~we
cannot treat with rebsls-dignity demands
tha. We punish traitors and the insulters Of
our hsgp All, sir, the argument founded
upon the plea Of dignity, has ruined many a
maR, and not unfrequently, nations. And
thus every position taken by the Federal Gov
eminent, since the commencement Of these
Troubles, even ts iuaction, which at first SEEM
ed to betoken peace, has tended 10 widen the
brsaeh-ths steady refusal OF the dominant
partyfn Congress to entertain any offers at
accomm0dation--the stern rejection Of 'he
Critteuden resolutions-the neglect OF Con-
grssy to submit to the States the proposition
OF TIE peace conference, 10 amend the Con-
stitut0n--ths refusal o. the Republican party
to bring forward any proposals for the settle
ment Of our dificultjes,-bave all tended to
alienafs tie South, more and more, to weaken
the interest among the masses FOR the Union,
from day to dav, until the ma ajoTities FOR Union
in Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, ksntnckY,
Missouri, North Carolina and Virginia, have
melted away iato weak minorities, helpless
and powsrless, while the defiant, insulting and
thTes tening tone Of The northern press, has at
last impressed the people OF the Southern States
fully with the idea, that the North looks upon
us as degenerate and degraded, morally. So
eially and politically, and, really desires no
intercourse or friendly relations with US.
Why not, then, in the name Of reason, Justice
snd humanity let Us 90 to ourselves and fulfill
our destiny as heaven may appoint.
You know, sir, it is maxim cOnsecrsted bv
.he experience Of the world, IN morals, religion
and political science, that men may be led when
they cannot be driven. You know, and need not
be reminded, that The power which controls
.he hearts and wills Of men resides not in the
fWhirlwind"-th passions Of men, "nor in the
'fFirs"-the prosecuting spirit Of men, "nor in
the Earthquaks''-shs strength Of argument
and eIoq1ence; but in the "E.ill. small voice"
Of kindness and love, that speaks IS gently ss
TIE whisper Of the DYING breeze. Oh, cir, speak
5u. the words Of gentieness and conciliatiOn to
your countrymeD, driven and tossed by cen
lending passions, like the waves Of the trouble
ad sea, and who knows but tb8. God, the " God
Of Reace," will bless y9ur word and deed, a
I'd BY bis mighty power "still the asise OF the
Tavs1 and the madness of the people," Go
10 the President and urge him to desist from
al hostile measures and efforts to compel an
unwilling obedience to bis Government.
II to DO good, be your o5isc', and you sue
iced, the blessings Of millions will be yours.
If earthly fame be your wish, you will have
erected a monument FOR yourself, second only
N the grandeur and beauty Of it's proportions
% his Of srh0m aloHe, among The Sous Of men,
{ has been 'ruthfuly said; He i5as first in
ear, first iu peace, ani first IN the hearts Of his
I pray your Indulgence for trespsssing so
much on your time. and beg leave to subscribe
myself with profound consideration,
Your friend and ob't serv't,
J. A. H. OTEY.