The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-06-22
jefferson Davis Peace EnVsys.

Lincoln, and was curtly and arroganlly de-
MED admission within our lines, upon
poin, of etiquette, We expressed sorrow
and surprise that the Administration should
have thus dismissed an opportunity to open
path of negotiation that might hav ve led TO
an honorable peace The Administration
Jon rnals, at the time, insisted that Mr..
Stephens mission was sntirely disconqec,-
e6 with any purpose of diplomatic nature,
and that il referred exclusively to a military
question. We advanced arguments to
prove the contrary, and exposed the absur-
dry OF the surposition that a statesman,
of such superior abilities "a Mr. Stephens.
and one of such high official grade in the
Confederacy, should have been dispatched
upon an errand less important than the dis
cnssion Of the radical points OF difference
between the sections. We publish to-day
a recent correspondence between Jefferson
Davis and Governor Vance, of North Caro-
lima, that proves that we were correct
in our estimate of Mr. Slephens's mis-
sion and that further proves how obstinate
and systematic have been this Adminisrra
ticn in closing all the avenues tbroogh
enter When we reflect npon the terrible
sacrifice of life that has occurred since that
time, and of the new obstacles TO compro-
mise that have been engshdered, It is i'm
possible for the patriot and the humane
man TO repress his indignation al the heart
less treachery of those officials who, for
their own purposes, could thus coldly shut
the door in the face of a messenger OF
snesce
3 Mr. rsDavis Says: eve have made three
distinct efforts to communicate with the
authorities al Washington. and have been
invariably unsuccessful In regard to Mr..
Stephens's mission. he says "The third
time, q few months ago, gentleman was
sent whose position, character and r@puia-
ton were such as TO insure bis position, if
the enemy were undetermined TO receive
no proposition whatever from the Govern
ment Vice President Stephens made
patriotic lender OF his eervices in the hope
of being able to promote the cause OF hu
fnanity and although little belief was en-
terained of his uccess, ! cheeriuily yield
should be tried. The enemy refused TO let
him pass through their lines or TO hold any
confe renee with ;hem. He was stopped be
fore ne even reached Fortress Monroe on
his way TO Washington"
We should not have referred so Poiniedy
10 This correspondence, had not the Black
Republican press, at the time OF Mr..
S'ephens's rejection, sought To deceive the
public and 10 exculpate Mr.. Lincoln by re-
pealed assertions that the proposed inter-
view had nothing Whatever to do with peace
negotiations. But We wish the people to
appreciate the extent 10 which the atts of
deception. have been pfaciised, 10 blind the
public "a 10 The real state OF affairs. II
would no; have soiied Mr.. LincoIn's pur-
pose 10 have had the war terminated at that
time, because, in the FIRST place, the Abo.
llion plot had not ripened, and, in the Sec
ond place, his arrangements for retaining
the Presidency were not ma'uted. He,
therefore, ent discouueous and foolish
answer Of rejection TO Mr.. Siephens's re.
qaest for an interview, knowing that such
a course would so effectualy disgsst the
Soulhern people as to render any failure ad
vauces on their part improbable. At The
same time. he instructed his organs to
misIead the Northern people by ssserting
that Mr. Stsphens's mission was OF no po.
lilical Importance, having reference ex-
clusively to an exchange of prisoners. But,
in the course of time. The truth starts from
it's hiding place, and confronts the lalsifisr.
We were sure. then, that MIR Stephens
came upon an eusnd OF mercy, of humanity
and patriotism 10 appeal 10 The rulers Of The
North !or negotiation with a view TO the
peaceable settle nent Of differences. His
mission was one OF peace and for that req
son was thwarted by Mr.. Lincoln. In that,
as in all other things, the Administrator
pursued policy tending TO exasperaie the
Southern people and to prolong the war.
| To have held conference with Alexander
| H. Stephens, upon whatever subject would
have disgraced no Government and wrong
ed no cause for whatever his politicaI
| creed may be, he is a statesman, a gentle
( man, and an honorable, conscientious and
righl.hearted man. That we all know, and
as such, he is the peer oI the best in Wash.
1 ington. MVhen he asked admission at the
threshold OF our Council Chambers, we
nusi have known iEial no disfionofat.e mo.
tive brought him theSe and when oul
Chief Magistrate turned his hack upon him
he likewise turned away from hope tha
was offe ring 10 heal the wounds OF our pom
country. Ia debating The brief ines tha
/ denied the interview, he dictated the death
war; ants OF hundreds of thousands of ou
countr yfne1 whom Mr.. Stephens wonlc
have spared, but whom Abraham Lincoln
doomed TO the slaughter pens, that in ihei
blood might be written the realization ot