The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-10-17

which we have not yet been enabled to
publish, but which has been some days
before the public is in striking contrast
with the letters Of Messrs. Stevens and
Brown. of Georgia, and Mr.. Boyce, of
South Carolina. Mr. Johnson is as anX-
ious for peace as either of these gentle
men; but, under the circumstances, he
can see no way to obtain it. As we are
the party acting on the defensive, while
the Yankees arc still, as they have been
from the beginning, the aggressors, ne
does not think it altogether becoming IN
us to make the first proposal. Should
We, however, put our dignity in our
pocket, ana go forward as suppliant,
there is no appearance of probability
that what we should be met in the spirit
OF peace On the contrary, reasoning
from everything that has occurred in this
connection, there is much greater pro-
liability nay, there is an absolute GER
tainty-that our motives will be entirely
miSconstrued, and that our approaches
will be attributed to fear The PROPOSE
ton for q convention meets with Senator
.Johnson's decided disapproval. He can
see no difference between it and an abso
lutte surrender Of all we have been fight
ing for.
We cannot too highly applaud the
manly tone and strong common sense
views of Senator Johnson; and they are
presented to the public at the precise
point of time at which they are most
needed. Recent developments in that
quarter have produced painful impress
sions in Virginia. The letters of Messrs.
Stephens and Boyce, and the whole con
duct of Governor Brown, have not been
calculated to re-assure us. Above every
thing else, there has been extreme con
ccrn-to use no stronger term-to find
that there should be men of influence in
the two States that first went ont of the
Union, and carried the others along with
them, to settle matters with the enemy,
and leave other States, who left the Union
later, the bag to hold; for that is the
amount of it ALL Certain States are to
make their peace chat is what it means)
and to return to making cotton once
more. The Yankees, having them off
their hands, are then to take their salts
faction out of Virginia and that it will
be a bitter one everybody can very well
understand. These gentlemen may dis
guse their intentions as they may; but
if their object be not reconstruction,
their course leads inevitably to it, and |
Senator Johnson's letter is the more ac- |
ceptable from its proving that the coun-
sells Of these men are not shared by all in
that section OF the country.
1t seems to us that MeSSrs Brown, |
Stephens and Boyce propose a very
clumsy machine for eftecting their ob.
ject. Nothing can be easier than to re-
turn to the bosom of the Union. Lin
coin himself tells us how it can be done.
Lay down your arms in the first place
Acknowledge that there is no such rights
as State rights, and that the Federal
Government is sovereign and supreme.
Confess that the attempt to establish
separate independence is wicked and
damnahle rebellion. Acknowledge that
you, as one OF it's abettors, are liable to
all the penalties affixed to the crime of
high treason. Admit that a Presiden.
IT the United States has a right to set
Ill the negroes of the South free by his
proclamation. Although the Constitu-
ion of the United States prohibits
congress from passing bills of attainder
IT corruption of blood, admit, neyerthe-
ess, that all the laws of forfeiture passed
~ the Yankee Congress, and which Ope-
ate quite as eilectually as an attainder, ,
re constitutional, and that all the pro-
'erty of the Confederaey is properly
oniiscated thereby. Applaud the zeal
# the Yankee soldiery in obeying their
'rders to rob, burn and murder. In a a
word, submit quietly to Abraham Lin
DIN, and let him do with you what he
links best. He will not, perhaps, use
Gu eery badly. He will, of course, in
list upon hanging all the leaders; but, as
lie is known to be of merciful DISPOSE a
ion perhaps he may be satisfied with :
ouple of hundred. OF course you can
'ot be allowed to retain any property
hat would conflict with the laws of Con-
ress. Then the country is to be sold t.
nut and settled up by Yankees and ne I
roes. But that Of course you made
our mind up to when you asked to be
AIKEN back. You took into considera- re
ion, too, no doubt, that the noble pa 5
riots who have fallen in this war are to
&c siigmatized as traitors and their
raves and memories forever dishonored
hat is small matter. You cannot
ertainly expect to stay here-at least moi
I "a