Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-11-17
A New Peace RumOr-seereG of sheF-
mans Expedition.

A New Peace RumOr-seeref of SheF-
mans Expedition.
The New York Express, a paper not of
the sensational order, gives currency to
strange peace rumor in connection with
Sherman's expedition, and as explaining
its object The substance of it is, that
some time since leading men of Georgia
held a council st Macon, and dispatched
messenger to Washington, authorized to
assure the President that Georgia would
withdraw from the Confederacy if Sher-
man would march through the State and
take possession of Charleston and Savsu-
nah This the President promised should
be attempted after the election; and if IS
believed that this is the real secret of the
expedition which Sherman is now carrying
into execution.
There are some facts which add plsusi-
bihty TO this story. If true it explains
the singular conduct of the Alabama Legis-
lature il refusing to adopt any means for
the defence of the State against any invs-
sion. The tone Of Governor Browns last
message TO the Legislature of Georgia was
also singularly bold in its announcement
Of the indisputsble right Of State 10
withdraw from the COnfederacy whenever
It is to It's interest so to do. The Governor
added to the discomfort felt througboutthe
State against the Richmond authorities, BY
making out case of inexcusable, if not
wanton negligence on their part to provide
for the defence of the State kgainst inva-
sion. The systematic plunder of the peO-
ple for the benefit of the rebel armies in the
East, was also enlarged upon. Had Gov.
Brown intended to prejudice the PEG
4 :. -, E-g1
authorities, and prepare the way for seces-
sion of the State and its return to the
/ Union, ne could not have adopted means
more certain to secure such result than
ne employs IL the message, of which We
have hitherto published a full abstract
Without other than q military purpose,
the movement OF Sherman is cne of the
boldest undertakings recorded in the an
nails of war. When wss it ever before
known that an army of $4,000 or so 600
zen cut loose from its base and prepared
for march of three hundred miles
through an eleny's country? If the State
were fully determined TO resist his march
if the militia were everywhere summon
ed to harass, though not able to check
his progress-it would be march
rs full OF perils as Ponce De Icons, from
the seaboard to the Mississippi But If Sc
cretly encouraged in the enterprise by the
local authorities, with cities and villages
surrendering at his summons, and the pop
ulsce passive and comparatively nOu-re-
sistant, and the purpose being to interrupt
the lines Of communication by which the
rebel authorities at Richmond might throw
an armed force into the State, overaTe the
people, and hold the local authorities in
/ subiection, before the new revolution hsd
time to gather consistency and momentum
it is essy to understand why such an enter.
prise should be accepted without hesitation
as promising even greater political than
military results.
However, as we say of other extraordi
nary statements, the story needs eonfrnna
tion. Charleston and Savannah are nO
captured, and We very much question
whether Augusta has been reached by tht
first column of troops sent forward by
Sherman last week, which was to take {
crcuitous route via Macon and Milledge
vile, for Augusta, and forming junction
with column advancing some day
later, on the same point by ths NOR,
direct route of Decatur, CoviBgt0I
Madison and Greensboro. If there be, a
the EEpTeSs asserts, any political signih
csnce attached to the expedition, there ar,
too many contingencies dependent npoT
the successful execu ion of its military
features to raise any very sanguine hope
of q speedy end of the rebellion through
this bsck-door arrangement. 1t viii dc
however, 90 speculate about, while tn
|, people are waiting for definite news from
Sherman and his victorious army Ga
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