Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-07-23
Peace.


he-reads that two distinguished citizens,
one an officer in the union army, have
had free access to the rebel Capital, have
been kindly received by the rebel chief,
have freely converscd with him on the
prospect Of peace, and have returned to
commuhloafe to the President Of the Unit
ei States the results of thoir interview;
that men of high standing in the Southern
Confederacy have sought our northern
frontier, and from the neutral ground OF
Lnndy's Lane in whose memories they
and we have equal pride, have asked an
interview with the high fanctionaries of
our government, looking toward the settle
ment of our great national question, by ne
coalition, For nearly three years and a
half the war has ragged with fury and de-
termination unexampled in history, the
eombetsnts graphing, receding, advancing
in grim silence; neither betraysng, by word
or deed tho least wish to discuss the
prospect or outcome of the contest except
by the the arbitrament Of battle.
That silence has been broken by two
movements almost simultaneous, yet with
out concert, both having sort of semi
official character, both proceeding from
the capital Of the beiligerents, both hay-
ing been treated with kindness and q
certain measure of respect
But the most significant feature of the
whole transaction is the fact that the par
ties who represent the rebel cause have
distinctly declared their willingness TO
hold free conference with a view to a
restoration Of the Union, it is true they
have offered conditions which,
if adhered to, would put
the day of peace very far Of-but fact Of
no .1ig Lt inporL GuaL, alter three years OF
resolutions apparently irreyOeable that per
pstual separation and independence were
the only possible grounds of OfnegOtiation-
they now propose tOabandOn the vital point
for which they have hitherto fought ard
suffered.
The object of these peace negotiations
may have been either political elap-trap
to influence the Chicago convention, or
they may have been the expression Of
general desire on the part of the rebels TO
give up their useless and wicked struggle.
Possibly both causes have been operating
Whatever the purpOse,we regret that tEey
we're not permitted fully to unfold their
ideas at Washington. Something would
have been learned ltheir reattemper,
and the question would have been squarely
presented 70 the nation-shall there be
peace on the terms of the rebels, or shall
unconditional submission be demanded of
them. a
If the democratic politicians expect
BY such jugglery as the rebel correspond
ence from Niagara Falls, TO compel the
people of the north into hollow truce,
they are greatly mistaken. II; however,
they viii plant themselves on the good old
Dv---4--.4i-. r,lA4e,-.., Of GFrs, SI1sanl,,
Free Labor and Free men, and demand
Of the rebels conformity to their doctrines
as the condition Of peace, they will find
the north ready to sustain them in their
work. Forthis, however, we cannot hope.
1t is the aim of the Democratic party to
secure peace at all hazards and at any
cost.
The Union and liberty are not to stand
in the way of this achievement,
Atlanta ours, and Richmond evacuated,
the rebels viii then not grow angry over
propositions Of peace such as Mr.. Lincoln
offers. They will probably be ready to
concede the territorial integrity of the
Union and freedom to all the Inhabitants
thereof