Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-07-27

WASHINGTON, July TO- 1863.
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 Nr. Seward for the issu-
ance of Presidential proclamation offering an
amnesty to the people of the South, Withdrawing
the emancipation proclamation, 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
of the South. only excepting the military and
civil leaders in 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, so far, informally,
but it has developed two parties.
Mr.. Bates and Montgomery Blair favor it with
certain notifications. while Messrs. Stanton and
Chase violently oppose it. Mr.. Welles is sup
posed also to be opposed to it, Mr.. Usher, who
always votes with the President will decide
whichever way that functionary does. The
President has as yet expressed no opinion on 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 consenting
to a peace in the present emergency.
There are n number of leading Republicans
now in this city, and the matter has been brought
to their notice. They have arranged a pro
gramme, which will be submitted to the Presi-
dent to day or to morrow, under which .ley are
willing that peace should be declared and the
Union restored 1t embraces the following,
which, it is stated, was suggested by Mr.. Chase:
Frst-Slavery shall in the whole United States
after the year 1876 the minors at that time to remain
slaves until 2 years of and slaves 40 years old
to have the option of their freedom to remain with their
masters Provision is made for ths loyal State receiving
compensation for their manumitted negroes, but
penSation will be allowed to the Bebel States
Second-A convention shall be called to revise the
Constitution Of the United States with view to striking
out the three ffths provision recognizing slavery
basis of representative population, and providing for the
programme.
Such is the scheme of the Republicans. and if
Mr.. Lincoln will consent to it, and the South is
willing, we NAV 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 to make the first
tenders of peace; that it would be humiliating
after two and half years of war, il the United
States should endeavOr to open peaceful relations
with armed insurgents. He insists upon war to
the bitter end, and is backed by the violent Abo-
litionists and the enormous counteracting inter
ests, which of course do not wish to see the great
source of their profi.s swept away. This last
party will exercise a most powerful influence up
on the deliberations on this subject. They are
all powerful here in all the departments. Hence
it is supposed that Mr. Weles, Mr.. Stanton and
Mr. Chase can be relied upon for the strongest op-
position to 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 that
it was on the 4th when he asked to come on to
Washington; and the scheme he was instructed
to unfold had been arranged in Richmond be-
fore it was 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 Vicksburg certain to fall and after it
Port Hudson 1t was believed that they could
take advantage of the victory, rs they supposed,
of Lee, before the Washington Cabinet were
aware of the capture of Vicksburg. 1t was the
intention of Davis to offer e plan Of peace in
cluding the restoration of the Union, but on
| terms somewhat different from those generally
understood by that phrase. Davis scheme will
be found sketched in 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 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. 1t is a com
plex scheme, providing for two Congresses to
settle the domestic concerns of the North and
South, though but single Executive. Davis
shrewdly hoped that on the heels of the dsstruc-
ton of the Army of the Potomac, with Washing
ton, Philadelphia and Baltimore within his grasp,
the Cabinet at Washington would be willing to
make terms for the restoration of the Union. even
if it Union only i'm name. The refusal of
the Government to listen to negotiations the de
feat of Lee 5 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 a
victory in Pennsylvania. Recent events will
make them still more willing to listen to rea
| ann -rCnr n Herald