The Portland daily press., 1862-12-11
Peace.

potb Oh all Q1hohhiS uVt5hSN~, NN-
stage whisper of diplomacy to the piano NUT
tering ofback parlor conspiracy. France would
willingly secure the blessing promised to peace
mal.-us. England waits, not without hope, for
n change in the disposition Of the American
people: Russia will mind her own business
strictly, though by no means averse to peace
on the American continent. These sugges-
tons come to us across the Atlantic; and at
home, similar hints pour in from every quar-
ter, Extremes meet in this one continent pre-
diction. Horace Greeley from his editorial
chair and Fernando Wood from the platform
unite In foreteling speedy termination Of
this war, though differing on every other earth
ly or internal topic. And not only here at the
North, but at the South also, if we may trust
DR.. Barney, does the same happy unanimity
prevail. The olive branch glorifies the dreams
of our misguided brethren of the irregular and
of the regular opposition alike.
This is surely an attitude, which well BELTS
Christian nation. War is gigantic misfor
tune; if needless, monstrous crime. This
war, thrust upon loyal people by proud,
yindictiye arist6cracy, must be ended at the
earliest possible moment In this desire, in
this demand, all classes, politicians, patriots,
merchants, roughs, and the editor of the Port
land Advertiser, unite. But what end will sat
isfy this unanimous demand? That is the
magical question, which restores every indi-
vidua of the previously indistinguishable
throng to his own proper likeness. Here
the wrangling commences; and to make
a beginning somewhere, what end do DIR. Bar
ney's dispatches from Richmond indicate?
There is room to suspect that at some time
and in some way hitherto unknown) an has
been dropped from DIR. Barney's name. He
comes back from his willing captivity, distri-
butes his private mail to Reverdy johnson,
Bayard, Fernando Wood and the rest, enters
the Executive presence gingerly, and with a
benignant air anfolds = plan Of pacification SO
broadly absurd that it would be comic, if the
sudden collapse of such expectations were not
too painful. The plan contemplates general
amnesty to all military and civil leaders of the
rebellion, SO that an election of Congressman
may be held this winter. This Congress is to
convene As early.as April All Fools day would
certainly be appropriately, and settle all exist
ing points of difference between the hostile
sections Would DIR. Barney like to be Speak
er of that House of Representatives, if he held
the Office with the condition that his own life
should answer for the first murder committed
On that floor? He could not effect life in
surance for three days! Peace will never come
to us in this way; not peace, but war varied
hvi pfa md
ton,
But, suppose this short road to peace were
really practicable! Let us forget, for the mo-
ment, that the longest way around is often the
shortest way home; let us assume that the
men, who left our legislative halls for the bat
tle-ield, viii return with the most pacific in
tentions, cooled and soothed by their military
exercise, to arrange and settle the old feud
Suppose this were possible, is II the Southern
purpose9 Absolutely nothing indicates such a
purpose, except DR.. Barney's rather singular
story. The tone of the rebel press is defiant,
boastful, last ditch-y ever. That is no sure
Indication; but what shall we make of the res
olutions adopted by the popular branch of the
North Carolina legislature just week ago to-
day? These resolutions have already appeared
in the Geographic columns of the Press; but
they deserve to be repeated in full:
Resoired, That the Confederate States have the
means and tho will to sustain and perpetuate the
government they have established, and to that and
North Carolina is determined to contribute all her
power and resources.
Resolved, That the separation between the Con.
federate States and the United States il final and
that the people of North Carolina will consent
to SEennion at any time. upon any terms
R6zped. That we have full confidence in the abil-
ity and patriotism of his Exeellency President Davis
and that his Administration il entitled 70 the cordial
support of all patriotic citizens.
Resoiced, That we heartily approve of the policy
lency Coy Vance in his inaugural address and mes
sag to the General Assembly and that be ought to
10 stand he has taken for our independence.
If clear and forcihle expession may serve
to convey an undisguised purpose, it would
seem that the first and second of these resolu-
tons would make it plain that one at least of
the rebelHpus States entertains no thought of
returning to the Union. But that State is
North Carolina, almost the last to pass an or
dinance of secession; and it is her House of
Commons which adopts these resolutions. II
this language suits the representatives of the
people in the quiet Old North State, which we
have reckoned half loyal from the beginning,
what may we expect from the fire-eaters of
the Gulf States?
These portents of peace or war cleaning
along the Southern horizon, are much too
vague to justify prophecy. When peace,
much longed for, shah come, no oracle can
say. But the coming peace, to be lasting,
must embrace one element easily noted and
remembered. 1t must provide for the EXITING
ton, immediate or ultimate, of domineering,
brutal aristocracy Of wealth, which is, and al
ways will be, compelled by its own deprayed
nature to struggle or conspire against all gen.
uine democracy. Southern society must be
reconstructed. This is net the work of a day.
President Linooln's thirty-sevn years are
none too many; the Voluntary action of separ-
ate States, aided by national compensation for
individual sacrifices, is the solution of this
great problem most to be desired; but in
some way the work must be done, or this I'm
ion will be bat an oil and water union forever.
No rsomise of peace which slurs over this ne
cessity, can be trusted; it is war in disguise.
TEE MEDIATION NATTER 1t is stated.
from apparently authentic sources, that the
Emperor Napoleon had determined, If his me-
diation scheme had worked and our govern
ment had consented to an armistice to propose
as basis OF settlement that President Lin
coin should recall the emancipation and con-
nscaJon ac's, ana the South should return to
4lxsuI Tx.ts. Ia