The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1862-10-25

! cuiated 70 bring those States quickly into
amicable relations with the States of the
South, i0itfdyag them uainaieg aAoesihey
fyom atHssi present injurious political con-.
neoti0a 5oiN He States Of the Noltt and East.
t0its which bey haze really 30 Httle ia common,
and thus enable us to dictate the terms
Of just and honorable peace from he
great commercial emporium Of that region
through whose influence mainly has HisioicEed
and 'tmQt,0at iUar Jesn thus far Kept ia pro-
gyess.
MINORITY REPORT.
The undersigned a minority Of he
Committee on Foreign Affairs, beg leave
to dissent from the report Of the major
ity upon certain resolutions referred TO
the committed, touching the issuing by the
President Of proclamation to the in
habitants Of the Northwestern States,
rendering to them the free navigation Of
the Mississippi river and advantageous
treaty stipulations at the close of the
war.
It is submitted that subjects relating
to the conduct of the war are not appro-
pirate matters of investigation by the
Committee on Foreign Affairs.
But waving this consideration, the I'M
dersigned totally dissent from The views
OF the majority touching the duties of
this House. 1t is work of supereroga-
ticn for this body to undertake to decide
and to declare the mode Of conducting
the war. II is a question involving con-
sequences of vital moment legitimately
pertaining to the functions of the Ex-
ecutive, and those who have been chosen
to lead our armies .Butifsuch duty were,
in fact, deyolved upon this body, as is
implied by the report of the majority,
it would be in violation of all the rules
of enlightened warfare to unfold the plan
which it is designed to pursue in the
prosecution of the war
1t is believed that thus far the Execu-
tive has availed himself of the means
placed at his disposal for conducting the
war in the manner most iudicious and eff
fectivc; and that in the signal success
which has attended our struggle for the
maintenance of the independence of the
Confederate States will be found suffi-
Gent reason for leaving him, without in
reference, to the exercise of the duties
imposed by the constitution.
The undersigned dissent from the re-
commentator that this government
should tender to portion of the citizens
of the government with whom. we are at
war exclusive commercial privileges
1t is not the part of wisdom to commit
our government to any fixed policy in
advance Legislation should not be an
ticipated, but should be shaped by exist
ing events. If a deviation from this plain
suggestion of wisdom be advised in the
present instance upon the idea of the infu-
ence of an appeal TO the self-interest Of the
inhabitants Of the Northwestern States.
it should not be forgotten that the same ar
gll1aent might with equal prQpriety, be ad-
dressed tOtbe inhabitants Of the NelO ENGLAND
States. The manufacturers of that section
would be conciliated by pledges that a
discriminating tariff would at the close of
hostilities, be put into speedy operation
for building up their interests and ship
owners wOnld be propitiated by pledges
that they would be permitted to perform
the carrying trade of the South as under
the old Union. Ind the city Of New To11
tgould be induced to pause IN her course Of fol-
~ and l0iekedneSs toloard he Coafe1erat,
States If assured that Hey Mould confer upon
her the privilege Of conducting their CONNER
cial affairs, aud e,vieIing herself upoa h,
proceeds Of her labor.
The Northern people derived, under the
CORNER government an annual profit Of
not less than 100000 upon Southern
trade. Their implements Of war will
be laid aside when assured that theii
Golfers shall be filled with the pro.
ceeds Of Southern labor. But the under
signed do uOt hesitate to repel the sug-
| gestiOn that the people Ofthe South are
willing to purchase peace by such a sac
rifce of their rights, and by 80 degrading
a concession to Northern cupidity. TX
be respected, our course must be firm anC
our legislation rational and just.
AT an early period after the organi2a-
ton Of the government Of the Confeder-
ate States a law was passed declaring
the free navigation Of the Mississippi
river, with certain salutary restrictions
The policy Of the government has no
been changed on this subject II is pre-
sumed to have been known to the inhab
itants of the Northwestern States before
they embarked in a wicked and unIusti-
fable war against the people Of the Con
federate States. To proclaim this policy
at the present time, coupled with oiieri
of their lucrative trade, in the manne
suggested by the majority, would be, il
the highest degree, derogatory to tie dig
nifty of the government. 1t would bring
upon it the imputation Of pusillanimity
Ii would be accepted by the enemy as {
confession of conscious weakness, and IL
inevitable tendency would be to proionl
the war
The undersigned are firm in the opin
ion that.the most effective mcde OF con
Quering peace is not to be found ia eX
, tending 10 She enemy propositions Of re
Cancellation, but ia the vigorous prosecu
! ton Of the war.