The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-09-13
THE PEACE QUESTION.
COrToSpondonce between President
Lincoln and Fernando wood.
Ma. woop To PREsIpENT LINCOLN.

New YoRS, Dec. 8 1862.
IloH abraham Lincoln, President Of the
Jniied States:
DEAR SIR: Ga the 25ih of November
last was advised by an authority, which
deemed likely TO be well informed as
well as reliable and truthful, that the
Southern States would send representa-
tives to the next Congress, provided that
full and general amnesty should permit
them to do so. No guarantees or terms
were asked for other than tho amnesty
referred to. Deeming this information
of great value if we'll founded, / COM
municated il in substance to Hon. George
0pdy Ike, the Mayor of this City, whom
knew TO hold confdet tial relations to
members of your administration, and
proposing through him, that il the Gov
ernment would permit the correspond
ence, under its own inspection, would
undertake to procure something definite
and positive from persons connected with
the so-cAled Confederate authorities
Mr. 0pdy Ike stated in reply that several
Senators from New England States we're
then in this City on their way TO Wash
ington, TO whom he would AZ once COM
municate the pTooosiiion, and advise me
of the ans wer. Knowing that these gen
tlemen were your friends, and supposing
that they would Immediately confer
with you on their arrival at the Capital,
and supposing that should be speedily
informed of the result, have delayed
until now making communication di-
rect TO you.
| now learn, however, from Mr.. Opd Ike
this day, that he failed to see hese Sem
atCrs when in New York, and that he had
not made the proposition, and that
therefore you are not in possession of it
as coming from myself
AS an humble nut loyal citizen, deeply
impressed with the great necessity Of
restoring the union of these States, |
ask your immediate attention to this
subject, The magnitude OF the interests
at stake warrant some executive action
! predicated upon this information, il il
be only TO ascertain if il be grounded
upon even probable foundation. If 1t
shall prove groundless no harm shall
have been done, provided the inqniry be
made, as ii can be, without compromising
the Government or injury TO the cause in
which il is now engaged. IT, however,
it shall prove we'll founded, there is no
estimate too high to place upon its ma
tional vAluo.
Now, therefore, Mr.. President, suggest
that gentlemen whose former political
and social relations with the leaders Of
the Southern revolt may be allowed to
hold unofficial correspondence vita them
| h. a q,
be submitted to you. IL may bs lhus
ascertAined what, if any, credence may
be given TO those statements, and also
whether peaceful solution of the present
struggle may not be attAinable. am
sure that nothing tua' can say can add
TO your own we'll known desire TO produce
this result. Your exalted position, tue
emOarrassments and responsibilities
, which surround you upon all sides
, the bleeding condition OF the country
( becoming exhausted not only in tbs
r impoyerishment Of its best lie blood OF
/ industrial production, but in the deteri
, grafton and consequent destruc ion o
, our political institudOns-ind call upon
, you, as our chief ruler, 10 take one sieI
2 upon the road Of peaceful eG1rt, by whicl
!
arrived whea other measures than bfut
, fighting may not accomplish what mill
tary force has failed 10 do. In the orr
gin of this struggle, you fOresaw tha
such time would come. Your inRugura
address, delivered near two years ago
pointed out with prophetic vision th'
certain results OF the impending conf C
= Of arms. Your language then was, sup
= pose you 60 TO war, you cannot hsht Gl
: ways, and when, after much loss on botl
:, sides and no gam on either, you ceast
y fighting, the identical questions as &
+" terms Of intercourse are az ain upon you.
y You saw that alter bloody ana terribl
q struggle "the still small voice Of reason
u would intervene and settle the contro
IS yersy. You know that since the estab
&c lishment Of Christian civilization, negO
: tiation aud compromise have sooner o
y, later determined every military contest
- Il cannot be otherwise here Has no
:, the time arrived whom, 10 quote your ow
:" language, Wo should cease hghtlng," q
:, ltast long enough To see whether "th
Identical questions" about which wo be
" gan the fight may not be amisaby an
- honorably adjusted, and the "terms Z
interc urse" Do once more p,aceably ed
tablishedf IL Is 10 this eud that | no
AZ address yOu-with confidence In yOy
patriotism, aud with no desire 10 iutel
!. iers with your legitimate constitution
w. prsrogatiyes. am, with hign respoc
To yours, very truly