The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1862-10-16
From me RIcnMo,D ENQUIRER.
The Prospects of an Early Peace.

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We present this morning an interesting
communication upon the prospects OK an ear
ly peace, written at orr request, by an emf
nent and highly educated gentleman, lately
returned from the United States:
To The Editors eftAe Enquirer:
GENrLEMEN-At your request, | will
state briefly NY conclusions, from the lnfor-
nation possess, az to the chances of an
early termination of the war. My belief is
that the war will be either terminated in q
few months or be indefinitely prolonged. OF
these two results, my opinion is that tho
chances are greatly in favor of the former.
The first consideration inclining my mind
to the COZ clusion have stated, is the re-
salts that am convinced have flowed from
the battles in Virginia and Mary land ia the
campaign now progr, ssing, from the battle
Of Williamsburg down to the present time,
inclusive. Notwithstanding what is asserted
in official dispatches, and alleged by army
correspondents and IN editorials Of newspa-
pers my information satisfies me that the
Confederate arms have met with 10 defeat
thus far in this campaign, and that the truth
of this statement is we'll known TO the Fed
eral officers and soldiers participating IN
these various battles. is not only known
to and appreciated by them, but it is fully
and frankly acknowledged by very many OF
them. The battle Of Autietam, or Sharps-
burg. was to the Federal forces the most
terrible defeat of the war; and such, | am
salts fed, is the general estimate OF it by the
Northern public, and such it is admitted to
have been by numberless Federal officers
and soldiers who participated in it. Tho
bloody results OF these battle fields have
produced, Il think as they we'll might have
done, effects favorable to an early termina-
ton OF the var. NY observation and in
formation satisfy NE that q large majority
of tie Northern officers and soldiers desire
peace and wish that the war were DOW ter
minated. The spirit Of resentmentis, think,
visibly abated on both sides. The Northern
soldiera are obviously less denunciatOry of
the South and Southern men. The declara-
ton that they are tired Of the war and earn
estly desire il to cease is frequently and
every where heard. The proclamation Of
President Lincoln for the emancipation of
the slaves, though not openly condemned by
the army, ia greatly disapproyed by many
and ie openly, freely and bitterly denounced
by prominent men and leading newspapers
OF the Nortk-a proceeding that would not
have been tolerated six weeks ago, but
have caused the arrest of the individuals
and the suppression OF the newspaper. De-
nuuciaiions of war conducted to secure
the emancipation Of slaves are unreserved
and constantly to be heard. There seems
to be conviction resting upon the minds
of large portion of the North, both army
and civilians. that enough has been done
in these battles fully to vindica.e the cour-
age of both sides, and that blood enough
has been spilled, and sulf.riag and misery
enough have been experienced and caused
to appease even the Moloch Of Carnage him
self. The conviction, | am satisfied, has,
by the results Of these battles, been forced
upon their minds, that while they may be
able with the immensely superior numbers
they can bring into the field, to overrun,
lay waste and deStroj our country, and to
renew the sickening scenes of death, car
mage and misery, presented in the deadly
conflicts between brethren Of tde late battle
fields, yet that they cannot subdue the
South; that the Union as it was can never
be restored; that the acknowledged and al
legged unwilling surrender of Mr.. Lincoln of
the Government of the United Statss, into
.he hands of the Aboltionists, suppresses
he last lingering hope of restoration Of
The Union, even on the part of those who
sustained his Administration under the hon.
est belief that he was endeavoring in good
'aith to accomplish that end.
A majority of the North, certainly O ma
ority of its officers and soldiers, are con-
,inced that even if they we're able to sub
lue the South, land without which they have
10 idea that the power Of the Federal Gov
eminent can ever be established over any
considerable portion Of the Confederscy)
me accomplishment Of this result would be
accompanied with the utter destruction of
he cotton, sugar and tobacco crops and Of
he market of the South, that source and
hose elements Of iucalculable wealth to the
\ orth in the past. Truly 80 barren sceptre
n their gripe;" the fruit "turned to ashes
pom their lips" These facts. which verify
'eIieye do exist, satisfy my mind that the
and4ncy Of things is to atermination of the
,ar. That a conviction is becoming general
q the North that the restoration of the
Jnon-that is to say, the re establishment
the Union as it existed under the Con-
tuition of the United States-is impossi-
lie and utterly hopeless; that in point of
,ct. the Constitution of the United States
self no longer exists. Indeed, have heard
remarked very recently that it is rarely
AIMED or referred to-; that it is the goUern-
eal, and not the Constitution, that is now
ie subject of reference, and TIE UNFOLDING
I'D supportingi;, in whatsoever tmay think
; 10 do is made the test of political fidelity
nd orthodoxy.
The next consideration supporting the
inclusion have stated is the conditioner
lancial afflirs in the North.
That the North is in great monetary
isis, AMI that a financial crash IS impend-
g and likely speedily to occur, seems to