Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1863-02-27
Reasonable Peace Movements.

The attempts OF Napoleon to inter-
fere with our domestic controversy have
thus far been ostensibly friendly, and if
the latest report proves true, that he has
ordered Count MERCER to suggest con-
venfion of commissioners appointed by
the U. S. government and the confede-
racy TO confer upon terms of settlement,
without an armistice, there is nothing in
the proposition itself that argues hostili--
ty. 1t showsrnerely a strong desire to
see our civil war ended, and if time and
circumstances conspired to make such a
conference advisable, the plan Of Napo-
leon is less open to objection than any
other that has been proposed. 1t com
mits neither party to any terms of set
Element, and the chief objection to such
a conference is that it could do no good,
while it might do much harm by dis
tracing public opinion and causing delay
and hesitation in the prosecution of the
war. If Napoleon shall make the pro-
position or suggestion, it may be re
spectfulIy received, and he may be
courteously tod that the thing is next TO
impossible that the government and
people of the United States think they
/
see no way out of the war but to fight it
through to the subjugation fthe rebels
that we are making good progress in
the work, and that if other nations win
wait patiently and let US alone, we can
settle the whole thing quicker and bet
ter by lighting than in any other way.
But the peace propositions agitated by
a certain set of politicians among our
selves should have no such courteous
treatment. They are essentially coward
| ly and reasonable. They mean nation
al degradation and dishonor such as no
self-respecting people on the globe would
consent to, and if these counsels prevail,
we are destined to a depth of infamy
which shall make the name Of America
a byword and Kissing for generations to
come.
The first thing these men propose is
armistice, at a moment when our armies
are at their maximum in numbers and
strength, and when we are just on the
point of assaiing the strong holds o. the
rebellion. 1t is because these men are
mot so stupid as not 10 see that an ar
mistice now ends the war in favor of the
rebellion that the proposition is in ef-
feet and intent reasonable. 1t is bold
attempt to arrest the uplifted arm of the
nation just as it is about to strike trea-
son to the earth, and to give to the trait
ors willingly what they can never obtain
by force. Nobody can believe that we
could stop our armies and navies where
they are and hold them in rest three or
six months, and then renew the war =
or if we could, that the enemy would
not meanwhile have so strengthened
themselves as greatly to increase their
chances for success. And what single
inducement is there to armistice and ne
gotiation while the rebels are bold and
unanimous in saying they will have no
peace except on the acknowledgment of
their independence. To call for armistice
and negotiation under such circumstan-
ces, is to take sides with the enemy and
demand the surrender of the nation to
armed traitors. The difference between
such peace men and open rebels is only
difference of pluck. The rebels have
courage enough to fight against the gov
ernment the peace democrats have on
ly courage enough to plot against it.
Yet, preposterous and reasonable as
this peace movement is, there is no deny
ing that it has assumed alarming pro-
portions. The democratic majorities in
the legislatures of Illinois and Indiana,
although they shrink from the adoption
of peace resolutions, favor convention
with the legislatures of Kentucky and
Ohio, with the avowed purpose to in
augurate this peace movement and to
call upon the general government to
stop the war, declare an armistice and
call convention of the States. And
so great is the mischief threatened by this
plot that the republican Senators of the
Illinois legislature, have felt justified in
Withdrawing and leaving the legislature