Washington telegraph. [volume] (Washington, Ark.) 1839-1871, 1863-05-13

| WHAT OUR Fathers DID.-The journalist
who would be anything else than mere news
gather, and sensationist, should take care tha,
the opinions he presents to the public should
be deliberate and earnest. He should well
weigh their consequences, if adopted and in.
corporated into the policy of our government.
He fOrgets his highest aims, triaes with the dig
atty OF his readers, and Justly loses all infu-
ence, by making his columns the vehicle OF
crude and undigested thoughts, or ebulitions
of feeling. a
Therefore, we wish in somewhat graver style,
to lay before our readers the reasons which in
| duce us to believe that we cannot, consistently
with honor, or in view of the speediest &C
| complishment of our designs, lend encourage
ment or countenance to the peace party of the
North, whilst they avow their object to be a
rec obstruction of the Union. We have no ar
guments, indeed, FOR those in the South whose
| interests and iDclinations prompt the secre t
wish for such result Nor, at present for an
other class, who still retain portion of our
respect We mean those who still think it pos
sible that there may be harmony and peace
in some new and different political connexion
with the Northern States, in which the institu-
ton of slavery, and all our interests of trade
and commerce might be fully protected A diff
ferent argument is applicable to them, when
ever the prevalence of their opinions is likely
to effect the policy of our government. We
address now the great mass of Southern peo-
pie, who are Determined to accept nothing
short of entire independence, and who consid.
er only the means to that end.
perhaps majority-of the Southern
people seem possessed with the idea, that the
success of the peace party at the North would
be the first step towards the speedy accom-
plshment of our own desires. They fiatter
their hopes las we think, by supposing, that
although the leaders of that party now avow
their design of restoring the Union and the
Constitution, that this is only the result of
wise and cautious policy to avoid armed col
llslon with their government, and draw to their
support large masses of the North, who, al
though tired of the war aud despairing of
succ ess have not reached the humiiating CEN
vlction that our independence must be acknowl-
edged. 1t is thought that once in power, they
would first cease hostilities, and then, after
finding reconciliation impossible, would be 10th
to renew them, and, being 30 longer able to
avoid the issue of war or recognition, would
accept the last 1t is therefore argued that
we should applaud the efforts of those leaders
extend them our sympathies and meet them,
If successful, upon their own grounds of ne
gotiation; if for nothing else than to convince
them then, of the hopelessness Of their designs,
and reconcile them to the alternative. Under
these feelings the speeches of the peace party
have been hailed with plaudits at the South,
and read with hope throughout the land.
We believe that the advantages above pro-
posed are delusive. The whole policy of Mr..
Vallandigham and others, is based upon the
that a majority of the Southern
people are of the proper temper, with mild
and gentle treatment, to accept reconstruc-
ton of the Union, under an amended Constitu-
ton, granting our original demands before the
election of Lincoln precipitated the separation.
That idea is the breath of life in the party
Deprive them of it, and the party is dead. We
know that it is not true. 1t is our duty to dis
abuse them now and at once of this error,
lest deceive them by false eetations.-
Our own honor is concerned. Being deter
mined on separation, it Is duplicity to encour-
age in them any hopes to the contrary-a du-
plicity which will reccil on ourselves. Our
sympathy with them, creates the impression
that We acknowledge their friendly designs,
and implies pledge of cooperation in their
policy. Should they obtain control of the gov
eminent, we think the time will come when
regard for their own con sstency. win repel
them from our recognition in full, and bring
about pr olonged condition of opposition and
hostilites. if not the full fury of raging war.
They might justly complain of Southern craft
and vascillation. We would occupy the posi-
ton before the world of rejecting peaceful over
lures, and refusing terms having the semblance
offairness, and which we had led the enemy to
believe would be acceptable.
The first step of the new administration
would be, of course, the appointment of COM
missioners to treat Of peace on thu basis of a
reconstruction, In this we could not concur,
since that would be to yield in the outset all
claim to independence. 1. is doubtful whether
the temper of the party in power, would endure
that disappointment. 1t would have come in
flushed with the pleasing hope ola restoration
Of the Union. 1t is not in human nature to
abandon at once the sole grand object of its
creation and its triumph. For i. may be no.
ticed that the abuses of the constitution und er
Lincoln, are used as electioneering arguments
mainly, and the grand object pro posed to the
masses, is the rich prize of recovered South.
Recognition would certainly not follow at once.
Should they yield that preliminary point an
appoint commissioners for terms of peace,
without insisting upon any basis they could not
accredit them to the confederate States of
America, since they could not politically know
of any such existence. We, upon our part.
could receive and treat with them, in no other
capacity. Our statesmen could not yield that
point of honor, without confessing the claim
that We were still revolted portion Of the
United States. Should that point also be