The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1863-02-23

Mr.. SewO rd's Peace Proposition q Practi..
cable Basis for French Intervention And
the RECOMMENDATION OF the Union.
The significant special advices from Washing
ton which we published yesterday, in reference to
Mr. Stewards late peace proposition to the French
government, involve considerations Of too much
Importance to be lightly passed over What is
this peace proposition! Mr.. Seward, in his des-
patch to Mr.. Dayton, our Minister at Paris, dated
February 6, after emphatically Diminishing the
recommendations of France for peace confer
ence in some neutral country, between dele
gates from the two parties involved in this war,
says
On the other hand The Congress of the Tinted States -
nshes constitute nal forum debates ne oiiendt
parties Senators and from the loyal peo
pie thefe already, fully empowered to confer And
also vacant and inviting the Senators and Repre-
sentatves the discontented party who may be cont
tutonaly sent there from the states involved in the IN
surrecton. Moreover, the conferences which thus
be held in Congress have this great advantage any
that could be organized the plan Of Mr. Drouyn do
Lhuys, vz:Tha Congress, If ii thought w!se could call
national convention 10 adopt lis recommendations, and
gs them an TIE sony and ,s,,g force Of oroanic lnp
Such conferences between the aenated parties may be
said 10 have already begun. Maryland, Virginia, Ken
lucky Tennessee and MissouriSates which claimed
by the insurgents already represented in Congress-
and are submitting with perfect freedom and in proper
spirit their advice upon the best calculated
norable peace Representatives have been sent also,
from louisiana and others understood 10 be coming
from Arkansas. There Is prepondcrating argument In
favor the Congressional form Of that
which suggested by Mr. lrouyn de Lhuys vz:-That,
while accession the latter would bring the government
with the insurgents IN disrcgarding
setting aside important part tho constitution VI the
United States and so would be OF pernicous example, the
Congressional conference on the conrdy preserves and girs
strength b. tht sacred instrument, which CONT
through future ages the sheet anchor the republic
Now it is altogether probable that the idea,
and the only idea here intended to be conveyed
to the French government is that European
mediation is inadmissible in any form, as there
can be no accommodation, no peace with our
rcbellious States, short of their absolute SUBJ
mission to the Union. This conclusion iuevi-
tably attaches itself to the required return to
the national Congress of the absent &c Senator'S
and Representatives from those States which
are now represented in the rebel Congress at
tional convention follows the indispensable
submission which he demands. But in these
suggestions of the Secretary Of State, though his
design may have been to close the door, he
really opens it to European interpositon in be-
half Of peace.
termned TO act in behalf of Mr.. Stewards Con-
gressional plan Of pscilcation, we cannot ina
CINE, in view Of the paramount object OF a gene
raj peace, that there would be any difficulty in
gaining the cooperation of the other great
Powers of Europe. Having secured their con-
currence, the Emperor of the French next
announces the fact to our government, and that
il is his purpose to contribute his aid to secure
the submission OF the rebellous States in the
manner proposed by Mr.. Seward. The rebel
government mt Richmond is next informed that
| this devastating war has lasted long enough;
especial interests OF France and OF the South de-
mand peace and that France calls upon the
sosty led " Confederate States" to restore their
representatives to the two houses of the Congress
OF the United States, according to the re-
questions of the federal constitution, and
warns the febel authorities that, failing To
obey this call, the military power Of
France will be employed to enforce compliance
while they are promised, on the other hand the
friendly offices of the Emperor in the recon
struction of the general government. And
what them Peace and reunion; for, thus adj.
vised and admonished. it is certain that the
rebel authorities would surrender at disere
ton.
European mediation and Intervention In this
form are, we may say, invited by Mr.. Seward.
and great advantages would accrue to France
in acting upon his suggestions. She would c.