Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-08-17
Peace Propositions.

partisan political view. Publishing a neutral paper
we have succeeded, we think, in keeping its columns
free from party predictions. When this war began.
we espoused the cause of the South with all our souls
Along with the large majority Of the people of North
Carolina, we were opposed to the ACKNOWLEDGMENT of
the old Union as long as we could remain Oh terms e
of honor and equality. In the election for members
to the State Convention both in February and May,
1861, we voted for the conservative" candidates
and the gentlemen we voted for, took North Carolina
out of the old Union and united her with the Confed-
crate government. Since that time we have regard
ed her destiny as fixed and thought that as went
the Csnfederacy SO must North Carolina go. And to.
the State and Confederate authorities we have endeav-
ored to give a hearty and cordial support.
But of late a movement has been set on foot to
bring about a peace-a conclusion of the war in which
we are engaged-by means which we confess We are
unable to fathom or comprehend. We cannot under
stand how'the South, or any portion of it, can make
any arrangements to negotiate a peace with the north,
when it has uniformly refused to treat with US on :
any subject except that of an exchange of prisoners. 4
And it has uniformly disregarded these solemn obi
cations whenever it has had the advantage. on its !
side, or its malevolence thrsted to heap insult6nd in
jury upsn US. as1
l But even if negotiations were practicablc. 4s d5
{ not see how Southern people, who have suffcr sucifI
injury, outrage and wrong at the hands of The tTorfh
can propose a peace. except on terms of total seS6f4
tson. This, it seems to US, is the. only " hon6<h4
terms which we can propose or accept. Anda4 118
movers in these propositions declare that theYE
'~fopposed to any other than an /" honorable peace and
| that they are in favor of continuing the fight until
such apeace is procured, may we not hope and be-
lleve that the accusations of their being in favor of
reconstruction with the Lincoln government, is a
misunderstanding of their position, and that they are
really and only in favor of q peace that will insure
US q free and independent Nationality.
We do not approve the rash and bitter denuncia-
tons INDUCED in by some persons towards those who
J have participated in these meetings. We think them
mistaken as to the means calculated to bring about "A
peace, at least such an one as we all say must be
honorable" but we cannot think that so many re-
) spectacle and intelligent men-Southern bred and
l born-can be traitors to their country and to the
r land that gave them birth. But we think them mis-
taken and the way to convince them of their error
is to reason and argue the matter with hem-not to
abuse and vilfy.
The following article from that truly conservative
journal, the Fayetteville Observer, strikes us .as be-
ing written in the right taste and temper:
, MOVEMENTS ron PEAcE.--We feel that we have
. j entitled ourselves to the ~eonfdence of oar rcsders-
4uii confidence in our sincerity, and some condolences
> in our Judgment. We never deceived or knowinpiv>
mlsled them. We never have asked or desired any.
! thing at the hands of the people, nor. do we now.
4 What we say to them therefore is unfntiuenced bv
! any other desire than for the public good. The very
4 safety OF the people, and Of all they possess, and all
they hold dear, now and hereafter, is involved in
: their present action. Knowing this. we feel that il
d Is a duty we cannot sufficiently perform, to press upon
our readers our most solemn convictions of the fatal
4 tendency OF certain movements recently set on foot,
i y ooAC WIN, n anu every one else In the
South, desire peace, but who are taking the very stems
d OF all others most calculated to prolong the war.
We say we desire peace-it is our daily and nightly
: prayer. All that we have is in Jeopardy by the war.
o One as dear as life itself, now exposed to the hazards
e of battle, would be restored to the quiet and safe
h pursuits of life by peace II, therefore, there were
e the slightest hope that any one thing that the people
y OF North Carolina can do, outside of the army. would
IS ensure or facilitate peace, how eagerly would We urge
y them to do that thing! But it is notso. The people of
North Carolina, outside of the army, are not onlv
powerless to give more than their prayers for peace.
but all else that they do-all that some of them are
y doing-is for war. All the victories that our enemies
: have gained are not SO encouraging TO them to continue
the war, as the conviction they are too ready to re-
ceive, that any considerable portion of the people Of
a State, and especially Of State that has sent so MANY
!, gallant soldiers to the field, are tired of battling for
liberty, for life, for property, for peace, and ready to
make any terms short of a final separation. and a
full recognition of independence. n
We inpugn not the motives Of those who are mr-
suing a course in our deliberate opinion SO fatal tn
their own and their c~ountry's honor and welfare bnt
wewarn them that they can do nothing but evil bv
talking of peace, SO long as the enemy is fired with
* bitter and malignant hate, a ~covetous hankerinp
after cur property, and a determination to degrade us
II below the level of the meanest slave that ever breatb>
~ ed. They are engaged in a deliberate scheme of en-
termination OF the white race ofthe South. They
a hate this race for its actual superiority. and vet mora
for the superiority it boasts of over themselves in
morals, intelligence. and wealth. Thew hate, II
for the success with which five millions have With