The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-03-13
From the Boston Daily Advertiser.
Decline OF the "peace" Movement.

Decline OF the "peace" Movement.
The failure of the peace conference move.
ment in the Illinois and Kentucky Legisla-
turc, was occasioned no doubt in part by the
contempt with which the secession leaders
receive the overtures of their old friends and
allies. The st. Louis Democrat states the
case upon this point very well, as follows:
"Tho fact is that Northern sympathizers
with treason have begun to find that cry,
peace. peace!' as much as they may, there
is no peace. The consequence is that many
of them, like John Van Buren,. will cease
the cry and take up the tune that the war
must 60 on. Nearly all Of them have once
already sung hosannas to the war, and the
change from the advocacy Of peace to war
will be no more difficult than was the one
from war to peace" .-..t
The loyal border State men who have had
to bear the brunt Of the war, were actuated
as it appeared, by no such mild notions Of
the rights and dignity of the government as
are held by those who claim to be their espe-
cial friends. For instance the Louisville
Journal OF the 18th says:
"The adoption of the policy of Mr.. VAL
landigham at the outset of the struggle would
have been fatal to our national honor, q con-
fession that the theory Of our government
had been lamentablc failure. and an admis.
sion that the people were unable or unfit to
govern themselves under republican institu-
tons. How much more degrading and sub
versive OF the great principles which underle
our Constitution would craven peace be now.
when we have 80 lavishly expended blood
and treasure to maintain the integrity of the
Union and to show to the world that our
popular institutions are selfsustaining, and
that the great problem Of our government
has not reduced its demonstrations to an alb.
surdity." . ar l
Even the St. Louis Republican. Journal
whose sympathies have sometimes been re-
garded with no little doubt, takes grounds
which would not have been countenanced at
all by the "New Hartford Convention. -
That paper says in its issue of the 18th:
"The Democratic and conservative party
of the North must not place itself in posi-
ton to DO reconed in any sense the champion
or apologist of disunion, for, il it should do
SO, it is plain that peace will be only the
further removed by the encouragement, the
South will have to hold out for its original
demand, viz. {: the unconditional'a cknowl-
edgement on our part Of divided nation.
However the case may have once stood.
or may hereafter stand. It is quite apparent
that love Of Union-the whole Union, the
great Republic of our fathers-and opposi.
ton to the further prosecution of the war,
are now Incompatible in the loyal States,
viewing the present incorporating and in
solent attitude of the leaders of the rebellion.
When the issue is 30 Enthusiastically made up,
and no disposition is shown to receive any
peaceablc overtures whatever, We see no 70
course but to fight"
The same paper also fatty contradicts the
assertions made by Mr.. d. A. Mahony, the
Iowa editor now in New York, rs to the
of peace sentiments in the North
west, and after denying that radical policy
has made the rebels any more hostile to the
Union than they were before, comes to the
following wise conclusion:
at is no argument against the war that
some persons support it because they believe
il will result IN the abolition OF Slavery
side issues there may be in the
minds Of different persons, tho contest Is
still one for Union, and prominently so.
We can only have Union now by vigorously
the war; for to cease hostilitles
IN the face Of the incorporating demands
,f the rebels, is simply to consent to the dis.
Of the country"
The reaction from the army was also very
effective in demonstrating to tho ultra oppo-
'itions that they were going too far Thus
The Chicago Evening Journal of the 18th
Explains the reasons Of the failure of tho
paci6cation' resolution in the Illinois Leg
stature as follows:
"There is set Of resolutions in print. en-
iorsed by several thousand Illinois soldiers
now in Mississippi, and virtuous principle
Of loyalty and patriotism still extant in the
West, which not only Offset the Legislative
paci6cation' resolutions, but actually pre-
rented the final action Of the Senate to give
them force. In short, the Senate did not
lare to vote upon them"
In confirmation Of this the Evening Jour
nal prints part Of private letter from tho
army at Corinth, from which we take the
extract:
"The troops from other States take almost
Is much interest In this affair as do those
rom illinois, though they have taken no
part in the proceedings. They say, signi6-
,antly, 'why don't you march right to your
Capitol and hang every traitor7' Our troops
reply, "wait, obey the laws until We arrive
1t honorable peace. Those traitors at Spring |
ield cannot, dare not pull down our State
Wait until they have had
time to realize the utter disgrace which they
will bring upon themselves. They dare not
>ommit thu treasono