The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1861-07-10

PAUSE BEFoEE THE BATTLE-The two armies stand
on the soil Of Virginia to-day invaders and defenders
almost within sight of each other Their outposts and
pcket constantly exchange Shots scouting parties Skin
mish and are driven iii on one side the other. a
mighty struggle is imminent and the future of all those
upon this continent who call themselves Americans may
depend upon its issue. Why should terrible battle
be fought at all? Why should two hundred thousand
men, the bravest and the most intelligent soldiers in the
world led by educated generals and armed with the
dcviishly ingenious inventions for the mutual de-
structon ST life, be precpitated upon each other? Can
not the awful ratricidc he avertc? Is it not possible
vet to inagurate truce, untilthetwO congresses
shall have opportunity To meet, the at Washing
ton and the other at Richmond, and propositions be
made for peace? / single battle fought may begin
of seven yearz; who knows when or how it may
end? Cannot this battle be spared lis? We entreat il
in the of ciyilisaon of humanity of christianity
Let our rulers pause and reflect. The saving of one
American life should be to them prouder task than the
wading through of fraCrna blood to a victory
which would be the burial of liberty and independence
The nObest letter the great Napoleon wrote was
his famous proposal of peace, (when plain Gen. Bona
parte) to the Austrian archduke Charles 'Generaln
chief, he said in effect brave men, though they make
war; desire peace Have we not slain enough of men,
and inflicted sufficient calamity upon suffering humanity?
Be the issue of this campaign what 1t may shall kill
on each side thousandseof men, and We must come
to an arrangement at last since everything has an end
not excepting the passion of hatred. As for
me, II inc overture Mlch nave the honor TO make to
you the life of one single man. shall be prouder
of the civic crown than of all the melancholy glory
which can result from military successes"
In those words spoke the heart of great man, al
rcady-n his youth-weared with the scenes of saugh-
ter which had proved his stepping stones to power lie
knew too well that better to the life of
single man than to slay thousands. Would that such
humane emotions could be discovered in the words and
conduct of some Zone having authority" in Virginia
They would wreath his with an immortal halo and
the praise of history would pass him silently BY
He might be remembered the second savior of his
country.
We know right well that it is not in the power of
military commandments to sign treaties but the generals
in command of forces have always the power to sign
armstices and agree topremnaries be laid before
their respective cabinets. Since the men of the pen
have shown themselves horribly bloodthrsy in this
civil war; we have been hoping that some man of the
sword-some one whose real trade was war and who
knew andrealiSed the untold horrors to which civilians
are strangeFs-4gould propose suspension of arms till
the congresses might assemble and deliberate. Why
does not Gen. Scott Gen. Beauregard, commanding
the antagonistc forces, seize the of delay
propose to suspend hosites, until the people, north
and south, have pause enough to think?
New York Daily News, 22d ult