Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1863-09-14
Food for RenectIOn---OppOr-
tunItIes for Peace Rejected.

friends at Springfield, lllinois--in which
letter the President stated that "no word
or intimation" had reached him, of will
ingness on part Of the Confederate Au-
thorities at Richmond to negotiate for
peace which should embrace reconstruc-
ton Of the Union. This statement Of the
President has drawn forth, within |
a few days past, the correspondence,
hitherto so frequently referred to by the
press, which occurred between Mr.. LiN-
coin and Hon FERNANDO WooD, of New
York, in which the assurance was given by
the latter gentleman that, on the 2oth OF
November last, he "was advised by au-
thority' which he "deemed likely to he
well informed, as well as reliable and
truthful, that the Southern States would
send representatives to the next Congress,
provided that a full aud general amnesty
should permit them to do so. No guar
rantees or terms We're asked for, other
than the amnesty referred to-" Prompt
ed by high, patriotic motives, MIR. Woop,
"deeming this information OF great value
lie well founded" wrote to the President
stating that, ''if the Government would
permit the correspondence under its own
inspection, he "would undertake TO pro-
cure something definite and positive from
persons connected with the so-callel Con-
iederate authorities" Here was simple,
harmless proposition, made to the Presi-
dent. with a view to ascertaining whether
or not peaceful solution might be made
of the present struggle, without additional
blood-shed. 1t was a proposition made
upon authority entitled to respect and cre-
dance. Yet, it was unequivocally, and in
a manner unworthy of a statesman or pa
triot, rejected by the President. He pre-
ferred war to cessation of hostilities
which should open the avenues to peac'
and reunion.
We have before MS a full report of tn,
able and eloquent speech delivered on tin
n 10th instant at Hamilton, Ohio, by MI
e JAMES A. McMAsTERs, the accomplishe,
Y editor of the New York FreemdR'S jour
is nat and Cathoiie Register--in which oC
, ours statement of vital Importance to tn
l. country. Mr. MCMAsTERs, alluding t
ID the fact, now so clear to the intelligent, It
/, aecting citizen, that the Administration
lt determined thatsthe South shall not retul
a to the Union upon the old Constitution
or basis, made the following statement upC
Ii his own personal integrity, which cam
ur for moment be questioned
nd 81 say, then, charged it in print, aud
here charge it by word of mouth, aud a
ready to substautiate it by intercepted col
muncation from the Southern Coufederacy
the world, that Mr.. Lincoln's Administratit
7'o was made acquainted with the fact, one mon
asst before he came, that Alexander H. Stephe
W. was about to visit Washington with power
treat for peace. They had that informati
Ill by intercepted correspondence, and the m
vas to whom it was addressed was imprisoned
,oll receiving it, 1t is, or was, in the State
partment, unless mutilated or destroyed,
the communication was sent And thereto
| am free to say more | myself heard belC
ck the period that Stephens was reported
'f- have turned back, and not admitted to an
dience with the great powers OF the Admin
lati traton at Washington, that he was about
:; come, and was only arranging the terms W
lul- JEFF Davis on which, on the highest patrio
lost and American grounds he was to come
w Washington, and make propositions Il
would overwhelm the North with astonishmt
hch His plea was this That they had come to
lowest point that now or never they ~
l;l make friends with the NOrth-make no th
H"'N uuarrel or the American Union was gone
-'',l ever, for France was at their doors, claim
'Sm n close alliance, offensive and defensive, "
,'r u the Southern Coniederacy Mr., Stephens
,n1a know, was n gallant, truly patriotic and Un
man, and as true an American, and as wor
Of the name freeman as draws the breath
.n1 life on this continent. His plea was; We
80 not die and leave our names to poserlty
@ the destroyers OF this Union. We must SIN
Ia or our passions; we must put down our
M udices, forget our wrongs and woes we Il
u must make up this quarrel for this Amer
~ Union must be preserved And with
~ high, patriotic idea, overwhelming JET ID
:, ~ with the obloquy with which history VI
49,. stamp his name il he resisted, he came
S full powers to treat at Washington for
|, cessation of this war, on the ground of a
= aas u, sohable, sincere and firm purpose to re
= Ia be struct the Union.
,astle The above revelation by Mr.. Mon
,ooiu .'oio TIERS, in whom our confidence is comp