New-York daily tribune., 1863-07-18
sTEPHENs,s MISSION.

y j. q
Mr.. jeff. Davis has published in the Rich
moud papers bis letter Of instructions under
hich bis lieutenant, A. VI. Stephens, under
took his abortive embassy TO Washington a
fortnight ago. This letter sets at rest all ques.
ton as to the object OF that mission. 1t was
not in auy respect Peace demonstration, and
Peace was not even remotely contemplated by
it. DAVIS dispatched stephens TO Washington
in war vessel to agree, in the interest OF
humanity, on the terms whereon the war shall
hencelorth be conducted. This object is good
one. aud the overture comes from the right
quarter. But we fail to perceive any reason
for letting Mr.. Stephens and his war steamer
survey Hampton Roads, the Chesapeake,
and the Potomac, and cast anchor off the City
of Washington.
The Erpress tries TO misunderstood our OBJ
lection to this proceeding, saying the Torpedo
is a vessel of little force. But her force ia
not in point. We object to her espionage OF
all our vessels and works upon or along the
waters she traverses. Suppose we should be
moving fifty thousand men by vessels up or
down the Potomac, shall We consent to i'm
prove the Rebel facilities for observing the
movement and seeing It's force aud object
JEFF. insists on maintaining a status of equal
It's with President Lincoln in whatever nego-
tlaiion. may ensue, Of which We can conceive
the necessity on bis part. He. on the other
hand, can realize that our Government must
naturally wish 20 render their dealings with
him in the diplomatic way a. infrequent and
informal as possible. And, while be urges that
our arrangements for the exchange OF prison
ers have fallen INTO disorder, he fails to show
that any prospect Of remedy would result from
mere change of the scene Of negotiations
| from the James River to the Potomac. II be
has any conciliatory proposition to make, Col.
Ludlow is ready to receive it and TO return
promptly the answer Of our Government.
What more can be desired
JEFF. says that Kentucky " is stll claimed a.
one Of the United States. bu, IS also claimed
By us as one Of the Confederate States"
Indeed Wben did she give you any foun-
dation for such claim We have recorded
and published repeated votes Of her Peopl-,
and Of her Legislature, reiteraiing by over
whemlns major,ies, her adhesion TO the Union
when, where, how, did she ever adhere to
your Confederacy Mind, We are asking
when, where, and how, Kentucky, on your
o,cn principles, seceeded from the Union and
joined the Confederacy We know no fact
that gives q shadow Of counteBaDce TO your
impudent claim. And you do not venture to
assert any. The case goes against you by de-
fault.
You say that Capts. Corbin and McGraw
were tried, convicted and shot by Gen. Burn
side " for the sole cause that they were en-
gagged in recruiting service in State which is
still claimed as one OF the United States
Guess not. We believe you will discover if
you inquire, that they were so treated because
captured vile recruiting uihin The lines Of the
Union armies. Now if you allow us to re-
cruit for our armies within the territory held
by yours, you make prima taeie case against
us; if not not. AT all events, your letter to
Stephens makes none.
JEFF. thinks it is "unheard Of conduct" on
our part to send Secesh women beyond our
lines after all experience has proved that the
virus of treason that overmasters them is ac-
tive and incorrgi5le. But he expelled all open
adherents to our Government from his domn-
ions full two years ago, so that this ICON
duet" if "unbeafd Of" is certainly not with.
out precedent
The vital fact is, that JEFF. insists that he
has a morai right to punish a Georgian, for in
stance, for treason TO tie Contederaey, nhh ne
hare NO right to punish Georgian for treason
TO The United States. This assumption our Gov
ernment never can cOncede without putting
itself out of court, and it has not the least in
tention of doing anything Of the sort. A. II.
Stephens is a very shrewd fellow, and would
make capital ambassador, but neither he
nor his Torpedo can persuade the Government
of the United States to commit suicide.
RETBIBUTION.