New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-02-13
vwE RUmanED FRENCH PROPPEH

We do not kncw-and we trust no one
knows out of @ narrow official circle-tbat the
Emperor Napoleon has r1ade any proposition
to our Government locking to an early termi-
nation of our Civil War; and we are quito
sure that, if any hns been made, it has not been
hastily nor harshly rejected. If Napoleon has
simply proposed chat Commissioners from our
Government shall meet agents Of the COnieder-
ates at some mutually acceptable point, there
to confer, ascertain each others views, and sac
if our differences cannot be settled without further
bloodshed-no arni5tice or interruption of bost!I-
tes meantime being required-we do not say that
our Government can accept the iDterpostion
but we do insist that it need not ana should
lot rudely rcpel it. On the contrary, if re-
iected at all, we trus. it will be in terms Of
courteous Difference to the powerful monarch
with whom it originates and TO the great ma
ton whose Intervention in our earliest, most
eventful struggle as a people was neither dis
tasteful nor injurious to our fathers. There
may be excellent reasons for not entering at
this time upon negotiations with the Rebels;
there can be none for wounding the suscepti
blties or alternating the sympathes Of the
French nation. For if the proher should result
merely in an official and undeniable establish
ment of the fact that the Rebel despotism will
treat for peace on no basis but that Of Disu-
MON, it would have immensely strengthened the
National cause.
If any overture looking TO Peace has been
made to our Government by Napoleon, we
trust the opportunity viii be improved on our
part to dsabuse the Southern people of some
of the calumnies by which they have been sys.
maddencd by their demagOgues aud
Journals. Most of them beiieve--because
they have had it dinned into their ears inces-
sanity, and have not been permitted to hear
our refutations--that the North waltonly
made war upon them with intent TO subjugate,
punder and enslaye them--that we are lighting
now to rob them Of al they hold dear, if not !
for their absolute determination. Let our Gov
eminent terscly say, in reply to any proiIer Of
mediation that may be made, " We are fight /
ng only TO vindicate the authority OF the Con-
,tltuti0n OF our fathers-t0 preserve our exis-
ence a. NatiOn--tO MAINTAIN that form Of
Government which their fathers united with /
ours iu framing and in ratifying as best
adapted TO our needs-we arc fighting for
nothing that viii not be equally beneficial to
them with ourselves-we are fighting to pre-
serve heritage of freedom, glory, security
and prosperity, such as no Thirty Millions on
earth ever enjoyed before, and which we cannot
consent TO surrender while we have life. We
nave ho Ill viii toward tho deludcd masses
VINO nave been duped or driven into this re.
OeiIloh; but prefer them oblivion for tie past
ana an equal and perfect enjoyment in The fu-
ture OF all tho blessings for which We arc
struggling" Let such be in spirit the response I
OF cur Government to any proiIer of good {
Offices which may be or may have been re-.
ceived from France--so clear TINT i. caonot ,
10 misunderstood, and so brief that the di. {