Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1863-03-07
From the Richm md Examiner, Jan. ..
Rebel Greeting TO Northern Peace Men,

Late events have turned public attention in the
Northern States to some other C"RcusIon of this
desoating war than that which they hoped to gain
by taunts, menaces and dsprOpOrtiOnate levles OF
troops. The word I" armstice" has lately been
heard on the floor of Congress- and without its
walls the practcability of Convention, to he com
posed of Delegates from all the States of the late
Union. appointed by the authorities of the States,
to adopt some plan of general pacificatOn, now
much discussed.
But the time for a Peace Congress is past. So
long the States were Component parts OF the
same Confederacy, 1t was both lawful and proper
that the representatives of their sovereIgntIes
should confer upon and discuss questions and at
fairs affecting them all.
Nothing IN the Constitution forbade such con-
ference or deprived ITS recommendations of re-
spectahilitv and authority. But such convention
Is impossible now 1t is predIcaied npon the idea
that the late Union still exists that the Southern
Confederacv does not exist; that the men Of Nir-
yinia the CarOlinas, Georgia, etc, are ienw-cItl-
gems Of the men inhabitlng Massachusetts. New
York and Pennsylvania. To admit the possibility
of such Convention ignores the legitimate func-
ton of the Confederate Government. The STATES
of the Confederacv have delegated their authority
over their foreign affairs to a common Executive
and Legislature.
They cannot now take a single step in any deal
ing with foreign nations without ting the sol
ment The States of the Union are in precisely the
same attitude toward the Government of the Union.
They have authority or power to treat with the
Southern States, any other foreign States. Such
acts are distinctly the province of the Federal Gov
eminent alone. No arrangement of national
character. treaty or preparation for treaty OF
peace between the two countries now at war Is
possible or lawful. except such may be made by
the President and Senate of the Confederate States
and the President and Senate OF the United States.
The people of the North who wish to see the
end of these hosiilties and trouble must hrst OF ALL
gree to a recognition of the Confederate Govern
ment. Without that, the war must go on forever.
Even an armisce suppOses such recognition.
" Northern speculation upon general convention
of States is, therefore, mere moonshne, so long as
the South remains uncOnquered.' Ii the armies
of the United States were 10 succeed IN driving the
persons composing the Confederate Government en-
tirely beyond their territory, and destroy all hope
in the people of the restoration of the Confederate
authority, general convention of the two nations,
without regard to the constituted authorities OF
either, free to form any new relations which they
though. fit, might become a matter for cOnsIdera-
ton with the individual inhabitants of the land.
At present. the project of this Convention may
be noticed only as symptom OF strong desire for
peace among the Northern people. Nothing will
come of it for some time. So long as the present
Executive and Congress remain in office, their dis
cussion has no check. They are committed to the
continuation of the in the last extremity Pas
sion and interest both bind them to it. They will
undoubtedly prosecute The war until new Members
Of Congress take their seats next year, unless the
vast army they have collected for their desperate
undertaking succeeds in oyerpowering the South,
or is itself destroyed before that period arrives.
EFFECTS OF IRoS PLATING ON VEssELs.-A com
munication frum Toulon, France, in the Manager
du MIDI, says:
The laying up of the frigate La Gloirs in the
Castigneau dock has disclosed three unexpected
Phenomena. First, that the contact of the copper
lining and the submerged irun plates had establish
ed galvanc current. which produced the effect Of
voltaic pile, and was completely deteriorating the
armor of the frlgate in the parts below the water
line; secondly, that species of shellfsh, hitherto