Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-11-03
THE GEORGIA PEACE PROPOSALS.

fellow citizen VIM w. BOICE.
THE GEORGIA PEACE PROPOSALS.
correspondent Of the New York Evening Post at At
anita gives what appears to be correct version OF the
story that Gen. SHERMAN had invited Gov. Brown, Of
Georgia, to peace conference. He says
nYou have no doubt seen the report Of such invita-
ton having been extended which has thus much OF truth
That while prominent citizen of Georgia was dining with
Gen Sherman day, the gentleman remarked wish,
General that Gov Brown could see and talk with you
Let him come replied the Generals have no election
to bis coming within my lines He shall pass safely in and
OUT there valuable records here which ne would nc
doubt like to get and preserve Let him would
like to see him. presume the invitation was duly de-
vered to the Governor Iquesticn however II he is pre-
| pared just at this moment to accept it"
Governor Brown has himself explained what occurred
10 connection with this proposal His statements appear
in late number of the Confederate Union" published
| at Milledgevlle. That journal says:
Gas much has been said about the informal message
sent by Gen. Sherman to Governor Brown,
Stephens and Senator Johnson inviting them to visit the
General in Atlanta for conference in reference to the
state the country, with avew to negotiations for peace,
and as the public mind has been much excited upon the
subject some saying that is the duty Of these gentlemen
accept the Generals invitation and make an effort to
settle difficulties by negotiations others contendng
that the duty of the Governor to have seized the
Generals and have ordered him hung traitor
we have for the qualification of our own and the curiosity
readers called upon the Governor and inquired after
| the facts
Mr. VIM King who represented himself as the bearer OF
message from Gen. Sherman, called upon him and stated
in substance that Gen. Sherman had requested him to
to the Governor that be would be pleased to receive
visit from him and other distinguished Georgians, with
view to conference upon the state of the country and the
settlement of dcuties that he would give the Gov
passport through his lines with an escort II he
desired 90 and return at such time might be agree
able to him that he Gen Sherman recognised him Gov
BROWN the Governor Of the whole State and as over
hundred miles of the territory of the State now be-
hind his lines he Gen Sherman) would allow the Governor
to 60 and visit his people in the he desired to look
after their condition. aud return at his peasqre-that he
would receive him and other distinguished Georgians at
his and treat them with the respcct and
sderaton due their positions during tie conference which
he nvitedthat he did not wish to be compelled to over
and desolate Of the territory of the State Co.
After hearing the statements of Mr. King the Governor
replied
please make to Gen. Sherman my acknowledgment Of
obligations for the personal courteses which you say
he proposes to extend to But he is only general
commanding army in the field, and the Governor OF
State, neither the Constitution of his country Of
We probably hold but few sentiments in common
but we should agree in every particular we would have
power to bind no one by any compact we might make
interview could therefore, result in nothing prac
cal must decline the invitation. While the portion of
the State in the Of Gen. Shermans army is held
by him. and the execution of the laws Of the State
render to the people of that section BY personal visit II
could better their condition mitigate their suferings
would their account cheerfuy go at the expense Of
any Inconvenience or personal sacrifice which the trip
might cost me.
ITO the remark that Gen. Sherman does not wish to be
compelled to overrun and desoate of the territory OF
Georgia reply that compuon rests upon him attempt
this unless be the cruel orders of his Government If he
makes the effort he will find much greater difficulties in
the way Of his advance for the next hundred miles than
those encountered during bis from Dalton to Atlanta
lonr he hu hq h.
ugated and her people will never treat with conqueror
upon her SOIL As sovereign State she had the undoubted
right to dissolve her connection with the Government OF
the United States when the compact had been violated by
the other States of the Conederacy and to form
compact which she has done. She as sovereign to-day
she was the day she seeded from the old Union and
has the same power by Convention Of her people, which
she then had to all delegated powers and all the al
tributes of sovereignty and then to declare war; negotiate
treaties of peace and do all other acts which sovereign
State may do. While this power rests in her people, who
the original source Of all sovereignty her constitution,
formed by Them has conferred such power upon her
Governor.
Georgia the sovereign power to act separately
her faith, which has, and trust never will be- VIC
lated s pledged BY strong implication to her Southern
sisters that she will NOT exercise this power without con-
sent on their part aud concert Of action with them In
league with her Southern sister States she entered into
this contest with full knowledge of all the responsibilities
which attached to the act and come veal woe, she
will never withdraw from it in dishonor. However I'M
equal may be the proportion of suffering sacrifice which
her people may have tn endure she will make sepa
rate terms with the enemy which may free her territory
from invasion and leave her coDederaes in the lurch
Whatever may be the opinion of her people to the in
Justice done her by the Confederate Administration she
will triumph with her Confederate sisters or she will sink
with them in common ruin The intelligent people of
Georgia already understand and enemy will learn
that the Independent expression Of condemnation of the
Administration is thing, and dsoyay to our sacred
cause il another and qne different thing While the
people of Georgia think for themselves and will not bndy
applaud the announcement Of their rulers, they will
violate principle for eIpedency accept dshonor
for reward.
1.-THE foundation Of Government and the liberties Of
the people upon the sovereignty Of the States their
chief stone Destroy the sovereignty OF the States
and the whole fabric falls to the ground and centralized
power with military desposm takes the place of oonstitu
tonal liberty. When the passions Of the people North
and South have sufficiently subsded we may make peace
by negotiation, but by the sword II Mr. Lincoln
would have peace and prosperity re established upon
firm basis, let him stop the war, and planting himself
upon the principles of the Declaration Of Independence Of
l76 let him recognise the sovereignty OF the States and
agree to leave sovereign State to determine for her
sel by convention of her people, whose delegates shall
be fairly chosen by the legal voters Of the State without
military interference intimidation, what shall be her
future ionwhelher she will remain in or, out
to the old Union adhere to her present league
There may be doubts whether Kentucky, Missouri and
probably other States desire to continue their connection
with the United States to cast their lot with the Con-
doubts the one above indicated If these any other
Of the Southern States should, in solemn convention de-
eide to 60 with the United States neither the Confederate
Government the other States object We cannot
govern Kentucky, for instance against her will unless
subjUgate her. This have power to do with the