Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-07-23


beets 20 feature Of resemblance 10 that which
was originally offered, and unlike any paper
which ever before emsnaied from the eonsti
tutioual Executive Of a free people. Address.
ed 10 whom Il mHy concern, il preclude. ne
goiatioh aud prescribes in advance terms and
conditions OF peace it returns to the origi.
nal policy q 10 bargaining, no negotiations.
no truce with rebels until every man shall
have laid down his arms, submitted 10 the
Government aud sued for mercy.
What may be the explanation Of This sud.
den and entire change in the views of the
Presidept, OF this rade Withdrawal of a eau.
tious overture for negotiation at the moment
It was likely TO be accepted. Of this emphatic
recall OF words Of peace just uttered and
fresh blasts OF war to the bitter end we leave
for the speculative who have means or ineli.
nation ~ penetrate the mysieries oi this cob
met or talhom the caprice of his imperial will
II Is enough for us 10 say that we have no
use whatever for the paper which has been
placed in our hands. We conld not transmit
it to the President of the Confederate States
without offering him an indignity. dishonoripg
ourselves and incurring the well merited
scorn Of our countrymen.
Whilst an ardent desire for peace pervsdes
the people of the Confederate States. we re-.
joice 10 believe that there are few if ary
amopg them, who would purchase it at the OK.
pense OF liberty, honor and selfrespect II
It can be secured only by their submission 10
terms Of conquest, the generation is vet nm
born which will witness its restoration. If
there be apy military autocrat in the North
who is entitled 10 proiier the conditions of
this manifesto, there is none in the South au
thorized to entertain them. Those who con.
troll our armies are servants Of the peope
not their masters, and they have no more in
cination than they have right TO subvert 80.
cial institutions Of sovereign States 10 over
throw their established constitution and TO
barter away their heritage Of selfgovernment
! This correspondence will not however, we
/ trust, prove wholly barren Of good results -
/ II there be any citizen Of the Confederate
States who has clung to the hope that peace
was possible with this administration Of The
/ Federal Government, it will strip from his
/ eyes the last film of any such delusion; or II
! there be any whose hearts have grown faint
under the suffering and agony Of this bloody
| struggle, it will inspire them with fresh ener-
/ gy to endure and brave whatever may yet be
requisite to preserve to themselves and their
children oil thai gives dignity and value to life,
/ or hope and consolation TO death, and if there
/ Uo my P'"'o'e VI O"i's''Ahs III your lahu VINO
shrink appalled, from the ilimitable virtue oil
private misery and public calamity, which
stretches before them, we pray that in their
bosoms resolution may be quickened to re-
claim the absurd authority, aud vindcate the
outraged civilization OF their country For the
socilude you have manifested to inaugurate
o movement which contempates results the
most noble and humane, we return our sin.
cere thanks, and are most respectfully and
truly, your obedient servants,
[Signedl C. c. CLAY, JR,
JAMES II. HOLCOMB.