The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-05
THE PEACE CONVENTION At WASHINGTON.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 1861.
The Peace Congress convened to-day at noon in VIII
lards Hall 1t probably one OF the dignihed as
sembIsges of gathered together in the country
All appear impressed with the soemnity Of the CRISIS
and TO recognise fact eyes Of the nation
bent their deliberations.
Iowa, under the authority Of Governor Knkwood has
requested and to act az Com
mssioncrs Peace Conference They have the mat
ter in consultation and yet undecided how TO act
the prevailing impression being that their duties In Con-
gess and the state will bar their participation in the
proceedings Of the Conference.
The Vermont delegation have declined accepting the
invitation Of the Governor Of that State to participate In
the Peace Confer ence They do not recognise the autho
rity that called the Conference.
Ex-Governor vroom, Of New Jersey, peace commits
sioner, arrived tonight He like the rest is At loss
what to do. They say everything looks dark and Il is
intimated in republican quarters that things will look
still darker before they leave.
The proceedings Of this body will be strictly private.
The first question likely TO engage It's attention after 1t is
organized the vexed point Of the status Of the seced
ing States Before proceeding TO the discussion Of the
various projects Of settlement the central slave States
forced TO the inquiry to the relation
the States that have gone out sustain TO the govern
ment at Washington. All Of the central slave
States record against coercion, and if it is TO be
the law of the incoming government, there s use in
discussing what win satisfy the States that are in, for
they will permit the strong hand Of federal power
to be used against their errng brothers Here the rock
on which the deliberations Of the Congress likely to bo
reparaby broken up The practical question has TO be
recognized condition precedent to any discussion
to adjustment
The central slave State ask what Is the use Of
spending weeks to arrange basis Of pacihcation when
the whole edice falls the first stroke Of the federal
hand against the seeded States. If they not TO be
coerced will discuss plans Of settlement and We be-
eve be arranged satisfactory to people, but
otherwise. So it that question vital to the
deliberations of the Congress up in nni and may
dsperse it at any moment,
The Peace Conference not likely achieve the least
possible good. The citizens indignant that the
meetings should be held small hall with closed doors.
II is regarded more dark lantern Convention than
one to whose deliberations the largest publicity should
be given.
Thomas J. Turner, one of the Commissioners from
Illinois, member of Congress from that State with
Mr.. Lincoln, in 1S47-49
The State commissioners have yet made formal
order concerning the conducting OF their proceedings
with closed DOORS the majority, however, TO favor
the exclusion Of the press and the public at least for the
present considering that this viii freedom
LOT the mterCnlDRe OF VeWs IL B eViuent, tnat tney
win act slowly night, number Of them in consul
tation with members OF Congress.
The report that Virginia has demanded the withdrawal
of troops before entering upon peace neg taons not
well founded, but creates some uneasness.
A committee here Of secessionists from Maryland
to protest against the admission OF the delegates from
that State
THE PROCEEDINGS OF rHK CONVENTION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 1901.
The Convention sat with closed doors, Mr. Wright OF
Ohio in the chair and II. E. Ward, Maryland,
tary.
A committee on permanent organization has been ap-
pointed 1t is supposed that John Tyler will be perma-
nent President
The Convention adjourned at half past one TO meet At
noon to morrow.
All the States present that have elected Commis
sioncrs except New York, Tennessee, Missouri and m
nois. Eleven were fully represented.
motion made TO admit the representatives Of the
press to the floor. Laid on the table
committee Of one from each State appointed on
permanent organization.
Adjourned.
Mayor Berre says the doors will be kept closed TO the
public press until the Convention shall order otherwise
II is understood that the entire proceedings win be
Quoted in secret session.