Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-10

with any purpose Of diplomatic nature, and
that il referred exclusively TO a military question
We advanced arguments 70 prove the contrary
and exposed the absurdity Of the superstition that
a statesman. Of such superior abilities as Mr.
Stephens and one Of such high official grade in
the Confederacy, should have been dispatched
upon an errand less important than the discussion
of the radical points OF difference between the
sections We publish to day a recent correspon.
dence between Jefferson Davis and Gov. Vance
OF North Carolina, that proves that we were cor
rect in our estimate Of Mr. Stephens mission
and that further proves bow obstinate and syste-
matte have been this administration in closing all
the avenues through which the influence Of re-
Cancellation might enter When we reflect upon
the terrible sacrifice of life that has occurred
since that time aud Of the new obstacles 70 com
promise that have been engendered, it is impossi
Die for the patrio, and the humane man 20 re
press his indignation at the heartess treachery OF
those officials who. for their own purposes, could
thus codly shut the door i'm the face of a messen
ger of peace.
Mr. Davis says: I'VE have made three distinct
efforts to communicate with the authorities al
Washington. and have been invariably unsuc-
cessful In regard to Mr.. Stephens mission. he
SAYS: The third time, a few months ago, a
gentleman was sent whose position, character and
if the enemy we're not determined to receive nc
proposition whatever from the government.
Vice President Stephens made a patriotic tender
of bis services in the hope of being able to pro-
mote the cause of humanity, and although little
belief was entertained of his success cheerfully
yielded 10 his suggestion. that the experiment
should be tried. The enemy refused To let him
pass through their lines or to hold any confer
ence with them. He was. stopped before be
even reached Fortress Monroe on his way to
Washington"
We should not have referred so pointedly to
this correspondence had not the Black Republi-
can press, at the time of Mr.. STEPHENS rejection
sought to deceive the public and to exculpate Mr.
Lincoln by repeated assertions that the proposed
interview had nothing whatever to do with peace
negotiations.
But we wish the people to appreciate the ex-
tent to which the acts of deception have been
practlsed, to blind the public to the real state
of affairs. Ii would not have suited Mr.. Lin
coins purpose TO have had the war terminated al
that time, because. in the first place, the aboli-
ton plot had not ripened, and. 10 the seconC
place. his arrangements for retaining the Pres
deDcy we're not matured, He therefore, sent q
discourteous and foolish of rejection tc
Mr.. Stephens request for an interview, knowing
that such course would so efiectually DISCUS
the Southern people "a to render any further adj
vances on their part improbable. at the same
time he instructed his organs to mislead Oh,
Northern people by asserting that Mr.. Stephens
mission was of no political Importance, having
reference exclusively to an exchange OF prison
But, in the course of time, the truth start:
from its hiding place. and confrunts the falsfer
We were sure, then. that Mr. Stephens me up
on ar erraEd of mercy, of humanity aud patriot
ism to appeal TO the rulers of the North for ne
COLLATION.. with view to the peaceable settle
ment of differences
His mission was one of peace, and for tina
reason thwarted by Mr. Lincoln. In that, a:
in all other things, the Administration pursued a
policy tending to exasperate the Southern people
and to prolong the war. To have held confer
ence with Alexander II. Stephens. upon whatever
subject, would have disgraced no government
and wronged no cause; for whatever his politica
creed may be, he is a statesman, gentleman
and an honorable, conscientious and right-hearteC
man. That we all know, and as such, he is the
peer of the best in Washington. When he asked
admission at the threshold of our Council Cham
bers, we must have known tina: no dishonorabl,
motive brought him there; and when our Chic
Magistrate turned his back upon him, he like
wise turned away from hope that was offering
10 heal the wounds of our poor country Ii
debating the brief lines that denied the interview
he dictated the death warrants of hundreds o
thousands of our countrymen whom Mr.. Ste
phens would have spared, but whom Abraham
Lincoln doomed to the slaughter pens, that il
their blood might be written the realization O
his schemes = New York News.