Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-07-27

be met Oy tnem In temper OF equal mag
nanimiiy. We had. therefore, no hesits-
tion in declaring that if this correspond.
cree was communicated 10 the President
of the Confederate States, he would
promptly embrace the opportunity pre-.
iented for seeking peaceful solution of
this unhappy strife. We feel confident
that you must share our profound regret
that the spiri, which dictated the fist
step toward peace had not continued
to animate the councils Of your Presi-
dent., Had the representatives of the
two Governments met 10 consider this
question, the most momen,ous ever sub
miited to human statesmanship, in a
temper OF becoming moderation and equi-
~, follo wed as their deliberations would
have been by the prayers and benedic-
tions Of every patriot and Christian on
the habitable globe, who is there so bold
as to pronounce that the frightful waste
Of individual happiness and public pros
perity which is daily sa6denng the uni
versal heart. might not have been termin-
ated, or if tho desolation and carnage Of
war must still be endured through weary
years of blood and suffering, that there
might not, at least, have been infused into
i.s conduct somsthing more of the spirit
which softcns and partially ledeems its
brutalilics.
Instead OF the safe conduct which we
solicited, and which your letter gave ds
every reason to suppose would be extended
for the purpose Of initiatin. negotiation
in which neither gov, rnmentW ould COM
promise its rights or its dignity, docu-
ment has been presented which provokes
rs much Indignation as surprise. 1t leirs
no feature of resemblance 10 that which
was originally offered, and is unlike any
paper which over beitr re emanted from tt Q
constitutional executive of free people
Addressed Ito whom 1t may concern" it
rrecludes negotiation, and prescribes in ad-
vance the terms an conditions of peace. 1t
returns 10 the original policy of mo bar
gaining no negotiations, no trnces with re-
bells except to bury their dead until every
man hall have laid down his arms, sub
mitted 10 the government and.sued for
mercy" What may be the explanation
of this sudden and entire change in the
views of the President, Of this rude with
6rawal Of courteous overture for negotia-
tions at the moment it was likely to be nc
cepte l. of this emphatic recall Of words
of peace Just uttered. and fresh blasts of
war to the bitter end, we leave for the
spe culation Of those who have the means
or inclination TO penetrate the mysteries
of his cabinet or iathom the caprice OF his
/ imperial will. 1t is enough for US TO say
I that we have no use whatever for the pa
/ per which has been placed In our hands.
/ We could not transmit it to the President
of the Confederats States without offerin {
him an indignity dishonoring ourselves,
ard incnrring the well-merited scorn OF
our countrymen' While an ardent desire
for peace pervades the people Of the Con
! federate States, we rejoice TO believe tba,
there are few il any among them who
would purchase it at the expense OF liber
ty, honor and sslf-respect. II i. can be Sc
cured only by their submission TO terms
OF conquest. the generation is yet nnborr
which will witness its restitution.
there be any outoerat in tho North who
is entitled TO proiier the conditions o
this manifesto, there is ncne in the South
+ authorized 10 enteTIsln them. Thoso whS
control our ai mics are the servants Of th,
pc oIlc, not their masters, and they hav,
no more INCLINATION than they have righ
to subvcrt the social institutions Of th,
sovereign states, to bartor away thei
priceless heritage Of self-govern ment.-
This correspondence will not, lorsyer
we trust. prove wholly barren Of good re
suits lfihere is any citizen Of tho Con
iederate States who has clung toa hope tia
peace was possible with this administraiios
Of the federal government, it will s,ril
from his eyes the last film OF such delusion
Or. if there be any whose hearts hay,
grown faint under The suffering and az
ony Of this, it will inspire them with fresi
energy TO endure and brave whatever ma,
yet be requisite 10 preserve TO themslve
and their children all that gives dignity
and value to life, or hope and consolation
10 death. And if there be any patriots o.
Christians in your land who shrink appall
ed from the illimitable vista of privat,
misery and public calamity which stretch
es before them, We pray that in their bos
oms resolution may be quickened to re
call the abused authority and vindicat,
the outraged civilization Of their country
For the solicitude you have manifested tC
inaugurate movement which contem
plates results tbe'most noble and humane
We return our sincere thanks and are
most respectfully and truly.
Your obedient servants.
! {. &. CLAY, Jr.,
JAMES p. HoLcoNB.
! Other ACCOUNTS furnish what purports
to be the terms upon which the Richmond
Government is willing to make peace, as
follows:
The restoration of the Union in stat,
quo upon this basis:
First. All negroes which have beer
actually freed by the war TO be secured in
such freedom.
! Second All negroes at present held as
slaves to remain SO.
Third. The war debt of both parties tc
be paid by the United States.
Fourth. The old doctrine of State rights
to be recognized in reconstruc,ing the
Union.
When this proposition was laid before
Mr.. Lincoln. he Immediately telegraphed
a. II Al II. L