Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-02-20

engaged in supprcssing armed insurrecton with the
purpose Of maintaining the constitutional national au-
thory aud preserving the ineg iiy Of the country, It
shs into diplomatic discussion with the insurgents
upon questions whether that authority shall not be
renowned, and whether the country shall not be deliver
ei dsunon to be quickly followed by ever in
ceasing anarchy. II were possible for the govern
Of the United states 20 compromise the national
authority far enter into such Debates u u not
easy perceive what good results could he obtained by
them. the commissioners must agree In recommend
ing either that the Union shall stand that it shall be
voluntarily dissolved, else they must leave the vital
question unsettled. abide at last the fortunes Of the
The government has not shut out knowledge ~
the present temper, any than the past purposes Of
the insurgents There is the least ground sup
pose that the controlling actors would be persuaded
THIS moment by any Arguments which national com
missioner could offer to furego the ambition that has
PEELED them to the disoyal position they occupying
Any commissioner who should be appointed by those ac
tors through their dictate influence, must enter
the conferences mbutd with the spirit aud pledges TO
the personal fortunes Of the nsurgent chiefs The ova
people in the insuuectonary states would be unheard
and any offer Of peace BY this government on the cnd
ton OF the maintenance Of the Union, necessarily
be rejected. On the other hand, have already in
aeu ms government mas not the least thought Of re-
nquishing the which has cendded 10 IL BY the
nation, under the most solemn Of all political sanction,
ana II had any such thought IL would have still A.
bundant reason to know that peace proposed, the
cost OF dissolution, would be Immediately, universally
and Indignantly rejected by the American people.
II Il great mistake that European statesmen make
II they suppose this people demofazed. Whatever,
in case Of an insurroction the people OF France or
Britain Swi zefland OF the Netherlands would do 70
save their national existence, matter how the strife
might be regarded by, affect foreign nations just
much, and certainly less, the people Of the United
states viii 90, II necessary To save for the common benz
eft the region which bounded by the Pacific and Atlantic
coasts AID by the shores Of the CULTS Of ST Lawrence
and Mexico together with the free and navga-
ton Of the Rio Grande, Missouri, Arkansas Mississippi,
Ohio, 81 Lawrence, Hudson Delawar-, Potomac and
other national HIGHWAYS. by which this land which Ia
them is At once land Of inheritance and land Of prom
Use. Is opened aud watered Even II the agents Of the
American people thus exercising their poser, should,
through fear OF faction, fall below this height Of national
virtue they would be speedily yet constutonaly, re-
placed by others Of serner character aud patriotism
must BE- allowed TO say also, that NJ Drouyn dLhuys
in his description NJ the parties In the present
hict We have here, in patriotic sense, no North, no
SOUTH no northern no southern states. We have
uucc.iouary party, who Is located upon chiefly ad.
acent to the shores OF the Gulf Of Mcxco and aehave
on the other hand loyal people, Who constitute not
only northern states, but eastern, middle, western aud
southern states.
have many occasions heretofore submitted 70 the
French go,omrnt the Presidents views Of the inter
ests and ideas which lie at the bottom Of the dctermi
nation OF the American Government and people 70 main
tain the Fedetal Union. The President has done the
same hngn HE messages and oln,r public documents.
refrain, therefore, from reviewing that argument il
connection with the existing question.
NJ Drnuyn dLhuys draws to his aid the conferences
which ouk place between the colonies and Great Britain
IA our Revuut onafy war. lie will allow me to answer
that action IN the Crisis OF nation must accord with its
necessities, and thei eiore seldom conform To prece-
dents. Great Bfiiain when entering the negotiation,
had manicsty come TO entertain doubts OF her ultimate
sdccess and is certain that the councils Of the colonies
could not have failed to take courage il to gain
other advantages when the parent compromised
tar to treat Of peace the Of concedng their
Independence. IL is true indeed that peace must come
sometime, and that conferences must attend II they
not allowed to pfeoede the pachcaion. here is how
ever tier form for such conferences than the one
which NJ Drouyn dLhuys suggests. The latter would
he palpAbly ia derogaOn Of the Constitution u the
United States and would carry weight, because des
ututo Of the sanction necessary to bind either the loyal
or disoyal portions Of the people On the other hand,
the Congress Of the United furnishes consttu-
tona forum for debates between the aleniated parties
senators and Representatives from the 10y people are
there ar ady fully empowered to confer, and seats
also and inviting the Senators and Representa-
tves OF the discontentcd party who be constitution
ally sent there from the states involved in the nsurrPc
ton oreover, the eonfsrences which thus be held
In Congress have this great advantage that
could be orgarized the plau OF NJ Druyon dLhuys,
viz. that Congress- II It thought wise, could call ma
ona convention to adopt its recommendations and give
them all the sOcmniiy and bndt force OF organic law
such conferences between the aenated parties be
said to have already begun Maryland Virginia, Ken
lucky, Tennessee and Missouri, states which claim
ed by the insurgents already represented Con
gress and submitting with perfect freedom and in
proper spirit their advice upon best alculafed
to bring about in the shortest time firm, lasting and
honorable peace.
Representatives. have been sent also from Louisiana
and others understood 10 be coming from Arkansas
There prepondetaiing argument in favor Of the
grcssional form Of conference over that which sug-
gcsied by NJ DrOuyn Lhuys that while accession
to the latter would bring the government into confer
cnce with the insurgents, in disregadng and setting
aside important Of the constitution Of the United
gessona conference the contrary provides and gives
new strength TO that sacred instrument which must con-
tinue through future the sheet anchor Of the
public.
You will be at liberty to read this dispatch to NJ
Dtuuyn dLhuys. and to give him a copy II he shall De
sire IT, the end that YOU may be informed Of the whole
case, and transmit copy Of Nj. Drown d'Lhuys' dis
patch. am sir, your obedient servant,
WILLIAM II. SEWARD.