, 1863-02-13
OUR SPRINGFIELD LETTER,
From Our Own Correspondent

(Fsom Our Own Correspondent
SPRINGFIELD, Feb. II, 1867.
DEMOCRATS HOLDING PEACE MEETINGS.
The Democrats throughout the State are
Cutting up meetings to sustain the action Of
the Democrats in the Legislature OIL t1G61' n
jcct Of an ar1nistice and peace. a.o5 Z
and other Northwestern S:ate::::.''.' 9'99 999 \
cracy have taken the same staud, SO ah.75 "a %
public may make up their minds that tnt!se*
will be the two principal planks in the Dem
.ocrasic platform in the future.
Let us see then where VIC stand and what
will he the result, should these two measures
receive the sanction Of the popular voice, or
even should they he supposed, from the ac-
ton Of Democratic meetings and Democratic
legislatures to represent the popular scnti-
mcnt.
I take it for granted that all candid men will
admit
First. That an armis.ice means the acknowl-
cdge1nelt Of the Southern Confedcracy.
Second. That peace is only possible either
by the euhjugation Of tho rebels, or the ac-
acknowledgement Of their Confcacracy.
I yesterday conveysed with an intelligent
business. He is Democrat. This gentle.
lnan has lately travelled through several of
the rebel States on business, buying and sell
ing to and from citizens, and Others as the
army advanced. He informs me that thc
rebels have but one platform and one plank.
That platform and plank are simply the ac-
acknowledgement Of the Southern Confcdcracy.
and separation. He could not find man
that entertained any other sentiment, and he Is
consequently fully impressed with the opinion
that no conference will be had with the North
unless the Confcderacy is first acknowledged
He acts with the Democratic party, las always
acted with 1t, and endorses the resolutions for
peace and III armistiee. Protesting these sen
timents, in conversation with another lead
ing Democrat, very prominent politician,
lu admitted to me that the chances were nine
to one that the South wonld accept any terms
short Of recognition. He also laid all the
dissatisfaction in the country to the want Of
success in the tield-not to any proclamation
If any Kind that had been Issued.
The above sentiments may be taken MS the
views Of the leading Democrats in the North
west.
So that the people may as we'll make up
their minds to meet tho Democrats upon the
issue Of dissolution Of the Union or sub
must confess that nc are fighting at
an immense disadvantage, unless we have
more success or series Of successes in the
field,
I Another leading Democrat thinks that an
ar1nistice and convention, failing to bring hack
the Sonth, the North would then be united as
one man to put down the rebellion. But do
not sec how we can have convention without
an arnistice, and how we can have either as
long as tile South persists in refusing to treat
without recognition. You may take the horse
to the water, but yon cannot make him drink.
The Democratic party arc running 4 trcmcn-
duous risk in tue matter. They have undertake
en- the task Of stopping the war and acqni-
escing in the dissolution Of the Union. It is
bold step, step which no other than that
Earty, composed as It is Of professional poll
ticfans as leaders, and the extreme masses rs
followers, would dare to take.
see nothing for 1t now, but that this card
will he played out, no matter what the Rcpub-
lean opposition.
On the head Of the leaders ofthe Democracy
then be the ctributlon. Let every Rcpubli.
can put himself on the record agafust it by
fighting it to the bitter end.
LOCAL BILLS IN TIE SENATE.
The following local bills, in addition to
| those already noticed, have been introduced
| in the Senate:
By Mr.. Green, Bill for IN net to incorporate the
Ohio and Mlsaissippi River Packet Conpany.
By MI. Ward, Bill for an act to incorporate the
| Chicago and Cincinnati Railroad Company.
Nr. Ward moved its reference to a select commit.
tee consisting Of 1lcssrs. Ogden, Underwood and
Lansing, which motion wasf lost. Nays II, Yeas :.
committee on Banks and Corporations, which was
agreed to.
p N5: ward, Bill for an act to incorporate the
| Etnn Fire aud Marine Insurance Company Re-
| ferredt to committee on Banks and Corporations.
| By Mr.. Mason, Bill for an act repeating an act
creating war fund md to provide for audit:n: ac'
county nEGcr the call for volunteers. Referred to
leo bill for an act to authorizethc city Of Gales
bnrE to borrow money for the pnTpose ef bnildln;
Ey Az. Lindsay, bin for IN act to incorporate
e. %nla tie ooMine hannz SIs
Bill for an att to incorporate the Garden Cty Gas
| Light ami Coke Company. Referred to committee
b. Mt Mack, oill ior IN act amending sections
69aud IS Of an act for the assessment of property
and collection Of taxes in counties adopting the
township organization law. Referred to the con,-
By III: Bushnell ! biii for an act to prevent mea,-
o. the Gene5 Aase6y s. 15s Jndes Ct tss -
Court from accept;u. free passes on railroads. Re
| fe1.cd to committee On Judiciary.
Also: bin for an sct to incorpo5ate The Peru NJ
mite Oh Banks and Corporations.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
! In the House, the Senate bill, leasing the
| State Pcnitcntiary to Capt. Pitnan Of Quincy,
| was passed lie is, By the terms Of tho bill,
endowed with entire and absolute control Of
the institutionand inmates, for six years, after
| june next. In return, the State receives no
| profits thcrcfroua, but conftrs all the cmo1u-
Incnts upon the lessee. 1t is one ofthe most
outrageous impositions that could possibly be
perretrated-that the State Of Illinois should
l.ase this institution, probably the finest in
the wcrld-for nothing. But this is not tho
worst. The conyicts arc let ont, body and
soul, to man whose only interest in them is
! to get all the work out Of them that he posi-
big can. It is 4 disgrace and shame, that the
State should thus not only make merchandise
Of crime, but actually offer premium upon
cruelty to human beings made in the image
Of God.
But there il still another feature in this mat
ter, which exhibits the utter corruption OF
the Democracy, and shows that they care
more for tho paTty than the State. This pcni-
tertiary has always been asort Of nest egg for
the party. It Aas always been under their
control, aud from appearances always will be.
During the debate on the bill to lease, Mr..
Throop Of Chicago, read 3 bill Of Capt. c. r
Bradley, Of Chicago, offering to pay 81, ,00o
and TO give bonds for the same, for the six
ycara, for the rsc of tho couyicts. OF course
The Democrats refused 10 entertain this bid.
Tho Democracy must ONE Pitnan \ big thing,
or he is only sleeping party in the new Nrnl,
/ which is compoecd Of some old marty hacks