Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-17
The Peace Question I'm the Cabinet--
ur. Stewards Proposal OF an Am.
nesty and the Old UnIou--The Peace
Mission of alexander ~ stephens
Exclaimed


WASHINGTON, July 10, le63
am enabled positively to announce that the
question Of peace has already been considered in
Cabinet circles. More than that We are actually
in the midst of Cabinet crisis growing out of
the proposition made by Mr. Seward for the issu-
ance of Presidential proclamation offering an
amnesty TO the people Of the South. Withdrawing
the emancipation procla maton suspending the
liabilities Of the confscation act and Offering in
short, full and free pardon and protection IN
their personal and property rights to the people
o. the South. only excepting the military and
civil leaders m this great rebellion. Even these
Mr.. Seward suggests. should be allowed their
property. but not be eligible TO hold Office under
the Government. This proposition has been
considered in Cabinet council. 80 far informally,
but il has developed two parties
| Mr. Bates and Montgomery Blair favor il with
certain notifications. while Messrs Stanton and
Chase violently oppose it, Mr.. Weles is sup
posed also 70 be opposed to IT, Mr. Usher. who
| always votes with the President viii decide
whichever way that functonary does. The
President has as yet expressed no opinion this
subject but his speech at the serenade would
seem to Indicate that he Is trying TO make good
his promise to free the slaves before conserving
TO peace in the present emergency
There number of leading Republicans
now in this city, and the matter has been brought
10 their notice They have arranged pro
gramme, which will be submitted TO the Presi
| dent TO day or 10 morrow under which thew are
willing that peace should be declared and the
| Union restored IL embraces the following
which. il is stated, was suggested by Mr. Chase
Firs;-Savery shall cease in the whole United States
after the year 1875 the minors that time remain
slaves until 81 years Of age and slaves old
have the option Of their freedom remain with their
Provision made for the loyal
compensation for their manumted negroes, but
| allowed
| Second-A convention shall be called revise the
Constitution of the United States, with view 20 striking
out the three ffths provision recognizing slavery
basis Of representative population and providing for the
emancipation Of the slaves in accordance with the above
programme.
| Such is the scheme Of the Republicans and if
| Mr.. Lincoln will consent to it. and the South is
wiling we may have peace within two months
Mr.. Stewards proposition is being vehemently
denounced in Republican circles. He is called a
| traitor Stanton insists that the Rebels must be
driven to the wall; that no proposition shall be
made to them that, as they opened the fight first
at Sumter, so they must consent "a make the first
tenders of peace; that il would be humiatng,
after two and half years of war, il the United
States should endeavOr 10 open peaceful relations
with armed insurgents He insists upon war TO
the bitter end, and is backed by the violent Ado
litionists and the enormous counteracting inter
eSts which of course do not wish TO see the great
source of their prof.s swept away This last
party will exercise most powerful influence up
on the deliberations on This subject They are
all powerful here in all the departments Hence
il is supposed that Mr. Welles Mr Stanton and
Mr. Chase can be relied upon for the strongest OF.
DositiOnto all means looking toward an early
peace.
! have also Just learned the probable contents
Of Stephens' communication to the Government
| of the United States II will be remembered tina t
it was on the 4th when he asked to come to
Washington; and the scheme he was instructed
| to unfold had been arranged in Richmond be-
fore it known that Lee was defeated in
Pennsylvania. and when the Rebels had abundant
reason for believing he would defeat the Army of
the Potomac. They were also however aware
that Vlcksburg was certain to fall. and after il
Port Hudson. 1t was believed that they could
take advantage of the victory as they supposed
Of Lee before the Washington Cabinet were
aware of the capture of Vicksburg II was the
intention Of Davis to offer I. plan of peace, in
Guiding the restoration of the Union. but on
| terms somewhat different from those generally
understood BY that phrase. Davis scheme will
be found sketched ID the speech of Mr. Hunter.
| OF Virginia, Immediately previous to the rebel
lion. He proposed, in fact, separate governments
for the North and South but only one President
| This was to secure the Southerners from all
interference with their property, and take the ne
| gro out OF our national politics but would include
our foreign policy for both sections. IL isa com
pick scheme. providing for two Congresses to
settle the domestic concerns of the North and
South, though but single Executive Davis
shrcwdly hoped that on the heels of the destruc-
| ton of the Army of the Potomac, with Washing
ton. Philadelphia and Baltimore within his grasp.
the Cabinet at Washington would he willing to
ma Ike terms for the restoration of TIE Union, even
if it was Union only in name The refusal OF
the Government to listen to negotiations the de
| feat of Lees army and the capture of VickSburg
put an entirely different face upon the aspect of
the war; and the Rebels. with all their insolence
and assumption. would not dream of offering any
such terms again to the Federal Government
| 1t is great point gained that the Rebels were
willing for reunion even when they expected n
victory in Pennsylvania Recent events will
make them still more willing to listen to rea
SON Cor. y Y Herald.