Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-10-19
THE CHIC sGO CONVENTION TAKING
AsTkP IN THE RIGHT DIREC rION''
so SAYS REBEL VICE PRESIDENT
STEpHENS.

II would appear from rebel Vice President
stephens letter that the Chicago Convention
was called for the express purpose Of aiding
the rebels IN procuring II humliating settle
mcnt with the Government of the United
States:
The prominent aud leading idea Of that Con- |
Iention soems u have been desire 10 reach
peaceful adjustment OF our present difficulties
aud strife through tue medium OF convention
- 49,. iu,y rroi'osc to sGSperd hoStiLi-
g.. ~ so what eau Do done, If anything, by
negotiations of some sort. This Is ono step i,t
Hte ri.jht dir.ctiVn. To tucL a convention Of
the States haye no objection, as peaceful con-
ference aud Interchange OF views between EQUAL
and csreig" pvtetrs, just as tho convention OF
lis' was called and assembled.
The properly constituted authorities al Wash
iDgton aud Richmond, the duly authorized
representatives of THE TWO CosFEDERACIEs or
STAFEs now at war with each other, might
give their ascent to such proposition. Good
might result from IL. IL would be an appeal
on both sides from the sword 10 reason aud
Justice. All wars which do not result III thu
eEti,ciioR ur crteTIaltatiOH OF one side or the
other, must be ended, sOUILCr o. Inter, by some
sort of negotiations.
From the discussion or Interchange of views
in such convention, the history as well as tho
true nature of our Institutions, and the rela.
ton Of tho States toward each other and tow ard
tue Federal head, would doubtless Uc much
bCLter understood generally than they now are;
but should favor such proposition only as
peaceful conference, rs the convention Of
lIsi was. ! should be opposed to leaving the
'tuestlons at issue 10 the absolute decision Of
huch body.
Tie following paragraph eXhiblts tho devil
which undcrlIcs the Convention of States -
Each State must be admitted to the Convention
hnt th, nT hn ION.
vcntion is TO be binding only on sneh as sho"!d
50 "dLJg H." Mr.. Stephens says!
delegates might be cloth d with powers v
consult and agree, II they could, upon SOM
plan OF adjustment, to be submitted for sub
stquent ratification by the sovereign State
whom II sliucted, before II should be obligator,
or binding, and then 6LtliHy only on Such a
s'oald So!rd,Lty II. 1t becomes the people U
tue South, as well Is the people OF the North
" be quite as watch ful and jealous Of thei
rights as their common ancestors wcre."
The result Of such a proposition Is not onl!
admitting the southern States arc right in scv
orally assuming 10 DC sovereign, but II goc
still further, and guarantees tho right of sover
oignty to every other State in the Union. Ii
other words, II is the total destruction OF til
uatlon. We like the way in which Mr.. Creole
disposcs of Nj. Stephens, in the conclusion {
an editorial. lie says; There is no ulL
IuatO,- absolute sovereignty of the states,' an
more than OF the counties. Mr.. Stephen
would seem never 10 have read the Fcder
Constitution or Washington's Farewell A,
dress, for he writes as II those important docl
nonts had no existence. We arc gricvc
deeply grievcd, that one who used al least
pretend TO DO a WhIg, and as such to have c.
ulted over wcbstcr's crushing reply and reIo
der to Hayne, should now talk like born nu
liiler; but, rather than follow him in IL
deplorable regeneration, the loyal States wi
fight 10 the bitter cnd."