The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-04-01
The Plans of the Peace Democracy.

sell, it appears that the lorme' at the request Of
the latter, visited New York City Just after the
election in that State, st fall, and he conferen-
ces with the leaders of the cOnserv, '',a party
as Lord Lyons styles them, in reference to their
plans f1r the future. These " leaders gave the
British ministers their schemes, which he reports
to his Government as follows:
" Stuerat Of the leaders of The Domocratic party
sought interpis,0s lO!h me, both before and after
the ar. ;Ua Of the Intelligence o. Gen. .McCteIians
dismissal The subject uppermoSt in their minds
while thsy were speaking to me was naturally
that Of foreign mediation between the North and
South. Many Of them seemed to think that the
mediation mus. come at last but they appeared
to be very much afraid of it's coming too sen.
1t was evident that they apprehsnded that a pre-
mature proposal of foreign intervention would
afford the radical party means Of rsviying the
vic ent spirit, and Of thus defeating the pea :
fu. Ians of the conservatives They appeared to
regard the present moment as unfayorable for
such an offer and indeed, to hold that it would
be essential to tt success of any proposal from
abroad that it should be deferred until the con-
troll Of the Executive Government should be ia the
hands OF the conservative party.
gave no opinion on the subject. | did not
say whether or no myself thought foreign inter
vention probable or advisable but | list, led
with attention TO the accounts given me of the
plans AID hopes Of the conservative party. At
The bolt m thought perceived desire to put an
end to the ,0ar eUen at the risk Of tasUg the
Southern STATES altogether but it was p ain that
it was not thought prudent to avov this desire. In.
deed, some hints of it dropped before the elections
received in
tn contrary sense was deemed necessary BY the
Democratic leaders.
AT the present momen., therefore, the chiefs
of the conservative party call loudly for mere
vigorous pros sutton OF the war, and reproach
he Government with slackness as well as with
want of success n ito military measures. But
they repud,ate al, idea OF Interfering with the n-
cttutions o. the Southern peonle, of waging
war OF subJugation or determination. They main
tain that The object of the military operations
should be to place the North in position to de-
mand an acmistice with honor and with effect.
The armstice should Ohey hold) be fc lowed by
convention, in wbi"h such changes Of he Cen
stltuson 'hould be proposed IS woulo give the
South ample security on the subject of its slave
property, and would enable the North and the
South to re tie aud to live together in peace |
and harmony. The conservatives profess to think |
that the South might be induced to take part in
such a convention, and that restoration of the
Union would be the result. The more ssgacious
members of the party must however, look upon
the proposal of a convention merely as Nat sx-
pertinent to test the possibility of reunion. They
are, ne doubt we'll aware that the more proba
BILE consequence of an armistlce would be the
adjustment of Southern independence but they
perceive tina, If the South is so utterly alenat>
that no possible concessions will induce it to re-
turn voluntarily to the Union, it is wiser TO agree
to separation than to prosecuted cruel and hone
less war.
1t is with reference to such an armistice as they
desire to attain that the leaders of The conssrva-
tive party regard the question OF foreign media
ton. They ink that TIE offer of mediation, if
made 10 a radical administration would be IT Ject-
ed that, If made at an unproptious moment, it
might inc ease the virulence with which the war
10 prosecuted. If their own party were in power,
or virtually controlled the admin .tration, they
would rather, possible, obtain an armlstice with
GU the aid Of foreign governments; but They
would be disposed to accept an offer OF mediation
If it appeared to be the only means of putting
stop to hostillties. Thsy would desire that the
offer shou come from the great powers OF Eu-
rope conjointly, and in particular 4 as little
prominence as possible should be given to GreaI
BElsin."
1t would be curious and interesting, if the truth
could be reached, to see the history of the in
triess, and plsts of these conservative leaders Of
Nav York politics, during last fall aad the early
part Of the winter. They net only held confersn-
ces with foreign minister, but there can : little
doubt that they also made overtures to the rebel
authorities at Richmond. X this latter fact John
Van Buren, practically bore testimony, when he
said in speech not long since, that the PROPOSE.