The New York herald., 1864-08-16

AN ARMsTICE-Our suggestion that PfeSiuons
Lincoln should now Offer the rebels an armis-
tice and call Q convention Of States, with a
view to reunion and as Q war measure, has
completely dumbfounded the republican pross,
confused the copperhead press sod delighted
the people. Raymond and Greeley have
ceased their little squabble about the Niagara
Falls farce. The Post has nothing to say. The
World raves against Lincoln, and declares that
he is not to be trusted with an armstice or
convention. The Neaos says that we have no
right to offer an armstice, because the rebels
are beating us so badly and conquering all Of
our territory. The people. on the other hand,
decidedly approve Of our suggestion, and they
like 1t all the better because it is statesman
like idea, and does not please the partsans on
either side.
The fact is that we have now given this ad-
ministration hint which, rightly used, will
saye the country and certainly secure Mr. Lin
coins reelection. This scheme is no Canada
bubble-no child's play between poor Greeley
and silly Sanders. It is perfectly feasible;
nothing will be lost by trying it; something
will be gained even if it fails, and the Union
will be restored if it succeeds. A plan with
such striking advantages cannot fail to be
popular; and this is popular. Old Abe may
rely upon it that the people appreciate it,
even if he does not. He may also bear in
mind the fact that it is not copperhead mea-
sure. The copperhead papers will have
nothing to do with it. We commend it to bis
attention as a practical method of winding up
this rebellion at once, and snatching
from the democratic party the honor Of
concluding q glorious peace. We can tell Mr.
Lincoln that there is trouble ahead, both for
him and for the country. il our plan be not
adopted. We ask Secretary Seward to call
the Presidents attention to its merits. He has
tried "my plan" and Greeley's plan, and neither
has ended the war. Now let him try our plan,
and we guarantee to finish the job in short
order.
The World tries hard to make it appear that
the President is dsunionist at heart. Many
people believe the same thing. We do not be-
lieve it, because we think that Mr.. Lincoln has
too much regard for his own life to adopt any
such dogma as this: "A Northern republic
without slavery is better than Union with
slavery" But at the same time, If the Pres:-
dent persists in refusing to listen to statesman
like ideas, which will accomplish the restoia-
ton of the Union if accepted by him, we shall
not long be able to defend him against the
clamor now arising from every quarter. The
diatribes Of the copperhead Ne,os amount to
nothing. That paper is rolling and tumbling
about in its last agonies, crying out constantly
for peace, but as constantly opposing any other
peace than that which recognizes the independ-
ence Of the Southern confederacy. But GER
tainly there are thousands Of loyal men who
see in the letter "to whom it may concern" q
resolve on the part Of the President to dissolve
the Union rather than give up his abolition
hobby. Mr.. Lincoln knows that such resolve
can end only in Northern revolution. and con-
sequently he cannot reasonably entertain it.
Here we show him . simple way to convince
the people that he has no such intention, and
that he desires Union peace as sincerely as
any other loyal man. Will he try it or will he
not?