Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1861-09-26
practical Men-.Peace Men.


upon the peace men. After showing the
only terms upon which peace would, at
nreseni. be accepted 10y the rcbels-a base
surrender of the UDion--lt says;
But let ms suppose their wishes granted.
The Government, Inspired by these practi-
cal men, sends delegation 10 the Camp
of Jefferson Davis 10 sue for peace. The
insurgent chief beholds in the person Of
these commissioners twenty millions peo
nle lviuu at his feet. He has beaten rs 10
one insignificant battle; he has ruined him.
self TO raise an imposing army-irnposing
in more senses than one; and with open OF
secret enemies in every State from which he
has dawn recruits, with the seeds of disor-
ganization IN his own councils, with no
means either TO conciliate his politicians or
feed and clothe his army, be beholds him.
self master, after campaign which it is a
mockery TO call so, of a people which has
long boasted Itself the richest, the freesi,
the most intelligent and the bravest nation
in the world.
Everybody. knows that Mr.. Jefferson Da-
visis high-minded, pure, unselfsh pat
triot. In fact be has been compared, sew
eraI times, to Washington-and sometimes
even to Washingion's disadvantage. New
eriheless, Mr.. Davis is human, aud be is
slave owner. II is not in slave owning
human nature TO see twenty millions of
slaves bending the knee before him with
out seeking to make use Of them.
Behold, then, Mr.. Conqueror Davis is
suing forth from his tent 10 meet The hum
ble Commissioners! He covers up, as well
as he can, the ragged vcstmeDls of bis for
tunes. and greets the object crew with
naughty bow, carefully avoiding TO expose
his disorganized gear 10 their slarish gaze
He enters into conversation, and while lis
teping 10 their groans and penilential sup
plications, he thinks complacentiy of the
singular coed fortune which leads US 10
ask for peace from man who is himself
upon the verge Of ruin.
= lie smiles grimly at their tale of distress,
the stoppage of Southern trade, the inter-
ruption of business, the dreadful increase 10
taxation, 10y which wrelched Americans are
forced to pay almost as heavily during war
as the people of England pay during peace;
the probable increase fpoor; the frightful
picture of John Bull, who has lately growl-
ed at the conduct of the miserable United
States Government, and whose frown frigh-
tens every Yankee mubsaI out of his boots.
And as he listens, Mr.. Davis thinks COM
placently of those dangers which menaced
him, and which would have overwhelmed
him had his ad,ersaries been men, not
towards. He thinks of four millions of
slaves, left without their masters, and daily
looking for deliverance from bondage. He
thinks Of eight millions of people, deprived
by bis act, not cf their "Southern trade"
but of all communication with the outer
world; deceived in all their anticipations,
and daily growing more wre,ched aud dis
satisfied with his progress. He remembers
bis armies murmuring for the pay which
he cannot give them, for the blankets VIII .ch
he has not-for the food which grows each
day more scarce. He recalls those uneasy
dreams in which he fancied himself torn to
pieces by the wild mob he had summoned
to do his bidding, and which he had not
power to control. "Well, gentlemen" he
cries, rousing himself from Peyerie, what
do you want?"
.."Peace, peace. only peace" the Commits
sioners cry. "Give US peace aud we will
let you alone"
"You forget yourselves, good masters"
says the complacent victor "The ques-
ton to-day is whether | will let you aone.'
'"We come, great sir, to propose peace
able separation. We are ready to acknowl-
edge your Confederacy." Aud at the word
the chief Commissioner hands TO the Chief |
insurgent blank sheet of parchment, on
which to inscribe his own terms.
"You are ready to. acknowledge on the
part of the North the right and power of
any State to secede at its pleasures"
.."Certainly, sir"
"You recognise the independence of the
Confederate States?"
"Most gladly"
"You will catch our runaway slaves,
hereafter, or pay for them if they are not
caught?"
"Unhesitatingly."
"You will engage to prevent hereafter
all Interpretations of the peculiar in
stitution by Northern fantatics:"
"With great pleasure"
"Your Government will pay all the ex-
penses of the war, on both sides, in accord
ance with the great American doctrine
which declares the objects secured by peace
to be indemnify for the past and security
for the futare?"
At this we may suppose the Commiss-
ioners to vince little, but they imrnedi-
ateIy consent.
'srhat will do-you can retire." says the
austere conqueror
: The wretehed men grow pale, and with
lower bow, and averled gaze, they muir
mur: "Our Southern trade, o mighty
'sThat reminds me-" replies Davis, s.let
me introduce You to his Excellency, the
British Ambassador. We have drawn up
a treaty of friendship and commerce, which
only awaits your presence to be siened-
About your southern ,rade-you forget
that we must encourage our home industry.
Our merchants will immediately establish
direct trade with England at British ex-
pense; and what We cannot buy in Europe,
we shall manufacture at home. We can
have no further commercial connection
T..