Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1861-06-28
Startling from Washington--Not by Tel
egraph

egraCh.
The correspondent Of the Horld fur
nishes from Washington, what follows
We are not certain whether it is meant in
earnest or as Joke. The editor, however,
certifies to the wisdom and candor Of his
correspondent. We have the story for
what it is worth remembering at the
same time, that it is worth very little
| well know that the readers of tho
World will believe that
THE REBELS ARE FRIGHTENED,
and that they are most anxious to make
terms with the parent government, aud l
am fully prepared for their astonishment
when they read that their commissioners
ARE IN WASHINGTON.
It seems that Jefferson Davis, having
become thoroughly frightened, has, in a
seml-otiicial manner, made overtures to
our government. When his commissioners
reached the capitol they were desired to
state their case, and to tell what they
wished They submitted two propositions
First-That the United States condi-
tionally recognizes the existence of the
Southern ConfedeI acy, and that the latter
be permitted for term of one, two, or
three years, to carry on their government
as an experiment That the expenses Of
the war. thus far incurred, be equitablY
arranged between the two sections, and
that each do its best for the maintenance
of friendly feeling and intercourse between
the two peoples And that if, at the ex-
piration Of the time agreed upon, it be
found that the experiment cannot succeed,
a commissioner be appointed to recon-
struct union.
This proposition was
PEREMPToRnY REJECTED.
Whereupon they modestly put forth an
other as follows:
Second-Tbat the South will be content
if the government will pledge itself to
pass, at the coming session of Congress,
an irrep oalable constitutional provision
recognizing and legalizing forever the in
stitution Of slavery below
THIRTY-sIX THIRTY,
which is the southern boundary line of the
State of Missouri This done, the South
ern Provisional Government pledges itself
Instantly to abandon the war, and to re-es-
tablish peace and the most cordial rela-
tionship, so far as Its section is concerned;
to redirect the course Of trade into Its ac-
customed channels, and in every way re-
store the happy days of our forefathers.
As to the reception which this PROPOSE
ton received, my informant was positive,
though from another source / gather
doubt. He states that it, also, was per-
emptorily rejected 1t seemed to the par
ty OF the second part mere intensified
ton Of the Crittemden amendment, and
not varying greatly from the Adams pro-
position. Others say that the acceptance
of this proposition would not be unaccept-
able to the Secretary Of State and, there
fore, will meet with favor from the Presi-
dent. Between the two | cannot decide
Mr.. Davis says that his retreat from
Harper's Ferry was stroke of peaceful
policy. He had troops enough there to
Withstand any force which General Scott
was prepared to bring against him, and it
was not because he feared the result of
an engagement at the time, but because he
| knew that he had no force with which to
meet what might subsequently be sent
against him. The secession government
now rests on hope-that hope once swal-
lowed up in disastrous defeat upon the
battlefield would prove the destruction of
what it now sustains. He is sensible of
the fact, that if once defeated, there would
rise such tide of popular Indignation
against him and his cu-workeIs, that they
could in no way withstand, and ignomin-
Gus fight or ignominious death would be
the fate Of one and all.