The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-09-24
extraordinary Statements,

Under such a caption as this our neighbor
of the Argus copies from a copperhead speech
IN Ohio, made by James A. MeMasters, editor
ofthe My. Freeman's Journal, ( Catholic) and
evidently does it with view TO its being be-
lieved by its readers. This McMasters is
noted rebel-sympathizer, who has been ac-
commodated once, at least, with lodgings in
Fort Lafayette, and who is no more entitled to
credit in matters relatingto the administration,
than Vallandigham, Fernando Wood or Virgil
Paris.
The statement refers TO A. III. Stephens at
tempted visit to Washington. McMasters
vouches for Stephens as "a gallant, truly pa
triotic and Union man, as true an American
and as worthy the name freeman as draws the
breath of life ON this continent" He says
Stephens proposed visit to Washington was to
treat for peace, that he was clothed with pow
er to do so, and that the Administration at
Washington knew OF his mission and its pur-
pose month before it was undertaken. But
we will allow him to make his own statement.
He says:
myself heard that Stephens reported to have
been turned back. and not admitted TO an audience
with the Administration at Washington: that he was
about TO and only arranging the terms with
JEFF. Davis, which. on the highest patriotic and
American grounds, he was TO come to Washington
and make propositions that would oyerwhelm the
North with astonishment His plea was:
We cannot die and leave our names to posterity as
the destroyers of this Union We must smother our
passions; we must put down our prejudices; forget
our wrongs and woes we must make up this quarrel,
for this American Union must be preserved And
with that high patriotic idea, overwhelming JEFF.
Davis with the ObiOauy with which history would
stamp bis name If he listed, he came with full pow
ers TO treat at Washington for the cessation of this
war, on the ground of reasonable, sincere and firm
purpose to reconstruct the Union.
Such is the cock-and-bull statement which
the Argus lays before its readers with as much
soemnity as thoagh it believed every word Of
it. But the Argus knows better. The letter
of instruction from JEFF. Davis to Stephens,
which was to guide his conduct, has been pub
lished-publishedi in the columns of the Argus,
we think-and in the very outset of that letter
we find this emphatic language:
Objection may be made on the ground that am
not recognized to be President of the Confederacy.
In this eyeat, goa ciH decline any further attempts
TO confer the subject. such conference IS admits
sable ONLY ON The FOOTING OF PERFECT
EQUALITY.
This single sentence stamps the lie upon the
statements of the New York Copperhead and
yet we do not expect to see our neighbor give
his readers the benefit of it. for it will subserve
his purpose much better-which is to create
dissatisfaction with the administration-to let
the lie go uncontradicted, that the simple
minded may rest under the impression that
President Lincoln does not desire peace, and
has spurned the most humble and penitent ad-
vances of the rebel authorities.
Even were McMasters' statements true, the
President would be justified in refusal to treat
with armed rebels. He demands and should
insist upon their unconditional submission,
throwing themselves upon the clemency of the
Government, instead of demanding to be rec
ognized as equals.
This Government, it is hoped, will never
disgrace itself by STOPPING to parley with trail
tors deserving halter. The misguided people
of the South, we dare say, will be treated with
all the leniency that civilization or Christianity
can suggest, but the rebel leaders, like Davis
and his confreres deserve no clemency, should
have afforded to them no means of rescuing
their names from that eternal obloquy which
their great crimes have deserved, and should
be made to expiate those crimes in way to
serve as warning to deter from treason in all
time to come.