Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-06-27
IsIt War or Diplomacy In which We Are
RnRnaede

IsIt War or Diplomacy In which We Are
Bngasedt
In contests between civilized nations war
is generally attended by diplomacy--an un-
derturrent Of negotiation keeping pace with
The open progress Of hostilities. This, Of
oonfte, is informal, as all accredited Embas-
sadors take their departure as soon as war
hes become inevitable; but there always
remain, in some sort practicable channels Of
INSTRUMENTATION and though indirect
the diplomacy is none the less efficient on
that account.
Indeed, negotiation is not unfrequently
valuable aid to belligerent operations. The
psrty which is at once vigorous in its war
I like, and skillful and unscrupulous in its
diplomatic, agency, has a double advantage.
1t can do much to keep the enemy distracted
in his counsels and undecided in his move
ments with the one, while it places the other
in positions where important advantages
msy be gained. ..fs
The anomalous condition Of the Govern
ment of the United States in respect to the
South--at war with power which 1t refuses
to consider in the light of a belligerent-
renders il peculiarly susceptible to be affected
by propositions made by interested or disin-
terested parties, witha view to the settle
ment Of the pending difficulties. There is no
visible and recognized line Of demarkstion
between friends and enemies-even the
leaders Of the rebellion claiming to be the
peculiar defenders of the Constitution, and
assuming all the rights and privileges that
belong 10 that relation.
! From the beginning of the present difficult
| ties, the South has not failed to keep up its
! line Of negotiation with, OF near the Govern
ment; and, aided by numerous body of
psItissDs throughout the North, it has gained
advantages by which it has largely profted.
! Even while the leaders of the Copfederacy
were, in violation of every principle of right,
| seizipg whatever they could lay hands upon,
hey were amusing the Government with
| false representations, or intimidating by
threats, or misleading it by promises, or en-
tangliDg it by discussions with view to
! keep it in q state of inaction. The gain in
the diplomacy has palpably all been upon
| one side, and has often been so considerable
as TO give significance TO the question
whether it is not time for the Government
to give over game at which it is SO inev-
itably loser.
1t has been known for some time that
agents of the Confederacy were in Wash
ingtcD, pretendedly negotiating for a settle
ment, and that, if they did not personally
| approach the President and his constitu-
tional advisers, they had abundant means,
through people at Washington, of keeping
up communication with them. They rep.
resent truly or falsely, it matters not which,
that JEFF. Davis and the leaders of the re-
bellion are tired of the job they have under
taken, and would gladly be relieved of it
upon any terms consistent with their per-
sonal safety and reputation. They urge a
suspension of active hostilities until Con-
gress shall have time to act upon the matter
and there are many reasons for the SUPPOSE
tion that q part, at least, of the negative
style in which operations on the part of the
Government forces is carried on in Virginia.
is attributable to these influences.
In the mean time, the Confederate leaders
are hurrying their troops forward and max
ing preparations for action with vigUr that
is astonishing. Wherever there is point
liable to attack, there is an army. They
enter upon all the rights, and commit all the
wrongs of state of war, with readiness
and audacity that indicates the absence of all
fear of ulterior consequences. They are ex-
tending their lines to the vicinity of the
capital; and an attack upon that city, which
three weeks ago was thought in the last de.
gree improbable, is row daily apprehended.
They are aiding their diplomacy with their
arms, and their arms with their diplomacy;
and if they shall succeed in overawing Con-
gIess by fear of captivity, their emissaries
viii be able to throw off their masks, and
perhaps prescribe their own terms to an in
timidatcd and demoralized Government.
The dispatches of yesterday report two
propositions presented by the agents of the
Confederacy: l. The recognition of the
Confederacy, with treaty Of commerce and
friendship, and, perhaps, an annual sub
sidy to the South. Q. The laying down of
arms, a return to the statu 9uo with the ex-
tension of the line of 36o 80 to the Pacific.
There is not so much danger in the PROPOSE
tions as in the fact of negotiation; but with
Washington in a state of quasi siege, negoti-
alton should not for moment be allowed.
ESo long as the advance continues-so long as
troops are pouring, by every practical av1
enue, into Virginia-there should be nothing
thought of but driving them back again,