New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-02-02
rs PEACE Az uANDe

The Baltimore american ia not given TO ROOr-
backs; yet We cln rcposc with confidence in
thc following:
BALTniORE Monday. Feb. /.
The Avsri;Ir has tho assurance from gentleman
Just from Richmond who has gone to Washington to
communicate with the Government. that the Rebel
authorities are taking steps to propose the Federal
Government 10 lay down their arms provided Gle
Presidents AmVct y Proclamation be extended TO their
leaders.
Tile american. of course, has not invented
this story; but 4" the Rebel authorities" ore
very unlikely to make any such overture
through O channel SO leaky az to reveal it at
Baltimore on is way to Washington. We
infer, therefore, that 1.-the Gentleman from
Richmond" has magniGcd his Office, or else has
been misappehended.
We also have been favored with letter from
Washington, of which the following is copy:
t. tAe Editor Of The n. y. Tribune
WAsHIsGroS d. c, January Of, 1864.
Dear Siv hnstln to say to you thu know Of my own
edge before leaving Richmond that the Rebel Cabinet
hayo taken steps propose to tie fcdcGo'rnme to lay
down their arms provided the President amnesty Is extended
10 their leaders Let Ills be known IA heSonth aud tie Us
bolton is at end. Nou may make ag Of this you
think proper bu, please do pnbah M at present
for ob,iou. Am writing out statement today for
the Government. Yoms truly.
In accordance with the request of our CORE
spondent We omit his name. II may be his or
anyLody's else for aught We know, for it is quite
unknown to Us. The public will accept his
letter for what they think it is worth-as we do.
10 ,-bt IL NOT ffft,n IaM
has sent any envoy to Washington on such a
mission as is here outlined, we do most undoubt-
ingly believe that the great body OF the South
ern people are intensely weary ID the war, and
and sulIerngs. We believe they are to-day
more than willing to return to the Union on
reasonable terms. and that nothing but system
of Misrepresentation and rigorous military ter
ror,m prevents a general ayowal Of this dispo-
siion.
Impressed with this conviction, we venture to
express a hope that our Government viii neglect
no opportunity TO explain and mako known to
the Southern people its anxious desire TO close
this bloody, dcsolating contest at the earliest
moment consistent with our National integrity
and our enduring tranquility. We must insist
ON the overthrow of Slavery, not 50 much be-
cause that crime against Humanity was the sole
impclling cause OF the present Rebellion, as be-
cause it is morally certain il res-tablished, to
plunge Us into new and ncycr-cuding troubles
Danish Slavery from her soil, and even South
Carolina would return toloyAlty tomorrow, and
a regiment would suffice to keep the peace and
secure obedience to tho lave there indefinitely;
restore her u, Slave State, and she viii be- q
nest Of conspiracy and scdiion in the future as
she was in the past. There is 10 rational hope
of true enduring Union hencelortl that Is not
based on the extinction Of Slavery.
That secured, We trust our Government will
eyinco an eageness to slanch the wounds OF
the Republic at the earliest moment. and on
terms which the civilized world will recognize
as clement, and even magnanimous. Let Us
not merely accept but seek the earliest Peace
consistent with National integrity and Universal
Freedom.