Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-07-22
REBEL LPEAoE-MoNeERsA AT NIAGARA
FALLS.
The President's Ultimstum "To All
u Whom Il May Conctrn.u

the rebel agents show that Meesrs. Clay, Hol-
comb, and Sanders asked, on the 18th, OF Ho-
race Greeley the protection OF the President or
Secretary OF War, to visit Washington. Mr..
Greeley, In reply Of the 18th, understanding
that they were bearers OF q proposition from
looking TO peace, rendered q safe
conduct Of the President.
They replied they were not accredited with
such proposition, but were In confidential en-
ploy Of their government, and felt authorized
TO declare, II the circumstances disclosed in
this correspondence were communicated at
Richmond, they or other gentlemen would be
vested with full powers.
They asked q safe-conduct to Washington,
and thence to Richmond. Mr.. Greeley an
swered that that state Of facts being materially
different from that understood TO exist by the
President, Il was advisable for him to commu-
nicate by telegraph with him and obtain In
structions.
Amer some further correspondence in rela-
tion to Greeley's communication with Presi-
dent Lincoln, the following was received from
the latter;
EXECUTIVE MArsIoS,l
WAsuIroros, July is, 1854.
Any proposition which embraces the restora-
tion OF peace, the integrity Of the whole Union,
and the abandonment Of slavery, and which
comes by and with authority that can control
the armies now at war against the United
btAtt1s Nlh w EtCClNcu COubiutTGu Dy LuC
Executive Government of the United States,
and will be met by liberal terms on other sub
stantial and collateral points; and the bearer or
bearers thereof shall have safe-conduct both
ways. ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
To Hon. HORACE GREELEY.
Major Hay, on the Goth, in q note, asks Hol-
comb and others II they have any communica.
tion to send TO Washington by him. Holcomb
replies on the 2lst, regrettlng he has been de-
lsyed by any expectation Of an answer to his
communication delivered to the President of
the United States, adding that the communica-
ton was accepted as a response to the letter of
Clay and Holcomb to Mr.. Greeley, and to that
gentleman has an answer been transmitted.
The letter 10 Mr.. Greeley, AFTER alluding to
the tender OF safe-conduct to Washington on
the hypothesis that we were duly accredited
from Richmond as bearers of propositions look
ing 10 the establishment Of peace, says this as
sertion was accepted as evidence of an unex-
pected but most gratifying change In the policy
OF the President--a change which we felt au-
thorized TO hope might terminate in the con-
clusion oi peace mutually Just, honorable,
and advantageous to the North and the South.
EIacting no condition but that we should be
duly accredited from Richmond as bearers OF a
proposition looking to the establishment of
peace, thus protfering basis for conference
as comprehensive as we could desire, II seemed
to us that the President opened door that had
previously been closed against the Confederate
States for full interchange of sentiments, free
discussion Of conflicting opinions, and un-
trammelled effort to remove all causes of con-
troversy by liberal negotiations.
Weindeed could not claim the benefit of ga fe
conduct, which had been extended to us in a
character we had no right to assume, and had
never affected to possess, but the uniform dec
larations of our Executive and Congress, and
their thrice-repeated and as often repulsed at
tempts to open negotiations, furnish sufficient
pledge that this conciliatory manifestation on
the part of the President of the United States
would be met by them in q temper of equal
magnanimity. We had, therefore, no hesita-
tion in declaring that, II this correspondence
was communicated to the President of the Con-
federate States, he would promptly embrace
the opportunity presented for seeking peace
full solution Of this unhappy strife.
We feel confident that you must share our
profound regret that the spirit which dictated
the frat step towards peace had not continued
to animate the counsels of your President.
Had the representatives of the two Govern
ments met to consider this question, the most
momentous ever submitted to human states
manship, in a temper Of becoming moderation
and equity, followed, as their deliberations
would have been, by prayers and benedictions
OF every patriot and Christian on the habitablc
globe, who Is there go bold as TO pronounce
ness and public prosperity which is daily sad
dening the universal heart might not have
been terminated, or, II the desolatlon and car
mage Of war must still be endured through
weary years OF blood and suffering, that there
might not at least have been infused into liz
conduct something more of the spirit which
softens and partially redeems its brutality
Instead OF the safe conduct which we So
lIcited, and which your fret letter gave us ev'
cry reason to suppose would be extended fol
the purpose OF initiating negotiations in which
neither Government would compromise II;
rights or It's dignity, document Is presented
which provokes as much Indignation as sur
prise. 1t bears no feature of resemblance tC
that which was originally offered, and is un
like any paper which ever before emanatet
} from the constitutional Executive of FREE
people. Addressed to whom 1t may concern
1t precludes negotiations and prescrlbes In ad
vance the terms and conditions Of peace.
It returns TO the original policy Of no bar
gaining, no negotiations, no truces with rebels
except to bury their dead, until every man shal
: have laid down his arms, submitted TO the Gov
:, ernment, and sued for mercy. What may b
b the explanation OF this sudden and entir
\. change in the views of the Presidents Of thi
. rude withdrawal Of a courteous overture fo
negotiation at the moment 1t was likely TO b
accepted; OF this emphatic recall of words {
:. peace just uttered, and fresh blasts of war
q the bitter end, we leave for the speculation {
b those who have the means or inclination
penetrate the mysteries Of his Cabinet, or
e fathom the caprice of his imperial will.
?, II 10 enough for US TO say that we have no III
uhAtever for the paper which has been placed
our hands. Wecould not transmit ito the Pres
N dent Of the Confederate States without ofIerir
z him an indgnity, dishonoring ourselves, an
incurring the well-merited scorn of our coui
trymen. Whilst an ardent desire for peat
&c peryades the people of the Confederate State
n we rejoice to believe there are few, If an
among them who would purchase II at the c
~ pense of liberty, honor, and self.respect.
~ ~ II there be any military autocrat in the Nor
W who Is entitled to proiier the conditions of u
at manifesto, there is none In the South authC
lied to entertain them. Those who contr
our armies are servants Of the people, not thu
u ~ masters, and they have no more an inelinatl
u, than they have a right TO subvert social ins
tutions Of sovereign States, to overthrow tn
established constitutions, and 10 barter aw
y. their priceless heritage OF selfgoyernment.
10 A coRRHsPoNDBST gives an account of
co heroic fortitude of a young boy who "
W wounded in a recent charge in Grants arm
'n He was In hospital at Washington. Throu