Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-12
Peace Conferences.

u
WAsH1NGroN, Fob 5th.--The Peace Confer
ence reassembed at noon to-day, in pursuance
of adjournment. Judge Wright temporary
chairman, presiding.
1t was resolved to continue the entire session
with closed doors, excluding both the press ant
| the public.
Prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Gnrley.
: Several additional delegations, including those
from New York, were present.
The committee on permanent organization re-
ported the name of president Tyler as Presi
dent.
Mr.. Tyler, on being conducted to the chair,
addressed the conference at some length, and
took ground, it is reported, that concessions from
the North to the South were absolutely neces-
sary. He further declared that immediate &C
ton on the part of the conference was required
in view of the threatening dangers to the coun-
try, and invoked concert, concession and har-
mony in all their important deliberations.
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 6th.--The Washington
Peace Convention held four hours session to-
day. Mr.. Seldom, of Virginia, urged an imme-
date consideration of the Orittenden Compro
mise. A prolonged debate ensued, and finally,
at the request Of Mr.. Guthrie, of Tennessee, the
subject was laid over until Thursday. Views
as to the probable result of the deliberations Of
are endeavoring to defeat compromise of any
kind.
THURSDAY, Feb. 7th.-The Commissioners to
the Peace Conference to-day paid visit to
President Buchanan, with whom they spent an
hour in friendly conversation. They were in
session but short time to-day, and took no ac-
ton, as the business committee were not ready
to report. This committee was appointed on
Wednesday, on the motion of Secretary Guth-
RE, of Kentucky. 1t consists of one member
from each State represented, and are instructed
to report some plan likely to lead to an adjust
ment.
Mr.. Guthrie sustained his motion in an able
speech, in which he showed the great impor-
lance of speedy settlement Of the political diff
ferences now distracting 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 well nigh destroyed, and if not speed
lily settled, would entirely destroy our glorious
Union.
Mr.. VIM. y. Rives, of Va, followed in the
same strain, making strong appeal to the con-
servatives, urging the adoption of Mr.. Guthries
resolution.
Mr.. Caleb B. Smith, of Indiana, also spoke in
favor of the motion. He was tor doing every
thing that was honorable and just to bring an
amcable settlement.
Mr.. Chase, of Ohio, also sustained the motion.
He was willing TO concede everything 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 speedily averted.
Mr. Sa0dOn of Va cOincded with much that
had been said.
Judge Ruffin, of NeFtla Carolina, made pow
erfal appeal in behalf, as be said, of the Old
North State, whose people we're anxious for q
settlement of the questions at issue between the
two sections He alluded to the alarming pos
ture 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.
Mr.. Amos Tuck, of New Hampshire, spoke in
favor of the motion. He, too, was anxious for
an early settlement of the agitating questions
that divide the two sections.
The motion was then, as stated above, adopt
ed, after which the committee on credentials re-
ported, confirming all the delegates to seats who
had appeared, those from Maryland included.
FRIDAY, Feb. Sth.-The committee of the
Peace Congress, appointed on the subject. have
been engaged to day in the consideration OF
measures looking to an adjustment. Nearly all
the commissioners have arrived, including those
from Massachusetts and New York.
SATURDAY, Feb. 9th.-The Committee ap-
pointed by the Conference to report plan of
adjustment, will probably report plan Tuesday.
Various schemes are before them. From what
has privately transpired, the Border State Reso-
lutions meet with much favor. The General
impression is that the Conference will adopt
SOME such measures, including the division of
the Territories on the line of the SO deg. 80 min.
North of that line slavery to be prohibited, South
of the line neither Congressional nor Territorial
interference with the subject, which is to be
left to the determination of the people when they
form their State Government.
The acquisition of Territory for the future to
be made more difficult.