Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-05-14

1.-THE face, are not ebashed they still pirate
.lof tie eHConstitption" as the iustrumen.
tality to disarm the wretches who, stepped
to the lips in perjury and blood, scoff3 al
them and their psIliates and "peace' nos
trums. Hear them again !, =
"The only legitimate object of war is.to
obtain just and well founded peace. =.
Such peace can only be- made secure by
restoring the Union upon the basis of the
1 COHstitutioH, with the rights of every State
guaranteed; and for this that instrument
provides the proper and practical means-
4 a. ConUention-to revise, amend and reaf-
firm the terms of the Federal compact.L
Every Democratic victory in the North
which rescues the States from the domino
i ton of sectionalish and fanaticfsud, fs "a
Fstep towards the contamination, of such a
peace, not ,less potent than the success 81
the Federal arms ~ S'ii'' 7ss5l9 ~
We know what, ':peace" meant with
| these treacherous demagoues when they
were dancing attendance on Lord Lyons,
and after what has happened-siuce that
damniug record was spread before the
Ppblic-it is not hard to imagine what
;gpeace" by means of .a4GonEention' a would
amount toswheh negotiated by them. Let
the country rejoice to see the mask torn
off from the facesaof such traitors within
the citadel as these let it be glad that the
destinies of the country, after these recent
exposurespoan.n be entrusted to- their
keeping. al sa...aa,, ~ 5a s".I2l ss.-. Z
But let us see, yet further, how. much of
the semblance of patriotism is extorted
from this mercenary set, by way Of blind
ing the fhint. hearted or the easily gulled
of the loyal States. Let us note how flip
PANTY these halfway traitors talk of that
Union they showed theirJreadiuess,to to see
suudered-that Constitution, their iconge-
ners on the other side of the lines have
sought to tear to pieces and utterly destroy.
We quote again; f4ass5'
"We must cling to the Union and stand
by the Constitution and uphold the cause
OF law and order. We must save our noble
State from anarchy, while we maintain
with constancy and patience its inalienahle
rights of SoUereignty and indepenaenee. y,
We must support the Administration
in all eonsGtutfondI measures to suppress re-
bellion we must even uphold it in its
functions, lest, in its imbecility of iudq-
ment and lack of moral courage. il sink
ont of existence before the appointed day
of its expiration; lest we should realize by
its death, as we have by so many acts of
Its life, the fearful calamity of the disor-
-ganizatioh of the very form and function
and framework of our Federal system"
This Is the support Of the GoTesament In
its deadly struggle with a gigantic rebel
lion all are called upon to admire; that is
Copperhead patriotism, the patriotism
which, according to these oracles, is to
save the nation from destruction. But
who of the truly loyal of the. land fancy
such programme-such sentiments as
these Bandying about the terms sssov
ereignty" aud 'independence,p as applied
to States, with all the flippancy of any con-
vocation of Cotton State traitors gabbling
of constitutional measures" they at the
same time seek to strike down with treach.
erous blows the faith of the nation in its
constitutional defenders; they would stab
it to the Vitals to serve their own schemes
whilst affecting to come to its support.
We know not how it may strike others
this contemplation of such base and un.
derhanded Villainy, the abuse Of influence
and position in favor of those arrayed d to de
stroy the Uniou-but 10 our apprehension
the high,handed open attempted the South
ern leaders, who manifest their purposes on
the battle field, is absolutely laudable, hon
orable, when ,contrasted with the subtle
wickedness of these mercenary plotters,
who yet claim the egis of the Constitution
as their protection. Whilst they talk of
peace" !" let us see what would probably be
he fate of any. commissioners, they might
accredit to Jefferson. Davis taking as the
Indication therefor an article in ca late
number of the Richmond Enqnirer, written
upon the report that Peace Commissioners
were on the way to Richmond from Illinois.
We quote
ave have the solemn satisfaction of an
nouncing it is fondly hoped the En-
qttirer is the first to announce-the near
approach of Commissioners, two or more.
sent expressly by some person or persons
uuknown,Eiu the State of Illinois, bearing
to Richmond a message of peace, a white
wand in their hands, healing on their
wings, and an olive branch all around their
hats. They are coming ! They are almost
here Have been seenlwith the naked Eye
at Knoxville. en- route TO tthfsecity; and all
hearts rush out to meet the heralds and
harbingers of concilliation. isq*eH ~ u
sLet 1t not be uncharitably surmised that
these Commissioners are, perhaps, spies,
apd that, entering our lines, as they do,
from an enemy's country, without flag Of
be arrested and commended to the bospi.,
talities of the Libby No, let as repei the.
idea that these are spectators, thieves or
spiesi let US respond with gratitude to
the appeal of Illinois, heart; let us meet the
commissioners as they enter and streW
lIhoWsrs in their path; let the gallant City.