Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-10-12

by force, is preposterous. This war springs
from an attempt to do this preposterous
thing. Superior power may compel a
Union of some sort, but it would not be
the Union of the old Constitution or OF our
newt would be that sort Of union that
resnlts from despotism. The suhjugatlon
of the people of the South by the people
of the North, would necessarily involve
the destruction of the Constitution and the
overthrow of their liberties as well as ours
The men or the party at the North to
whom YOU refer, who favor peace, must be
brought to a full realization of this truth IN
all its bearings, before their efforts will re-
suit in much practical good: for any peace
growing out of Union OF States establish
ed by force, will be as ruinous to them as
US. The action of the Chicago Conven-
ton, SO far as its platform OF principles
goes, presents as l have said on another
occasion, e a ray of light which under Prov
idence may prove the dawn of day to this
long and cherries night. The first ray Of
light have seen from the North since the
war began. This cheers the heart and to-
wards it could almost have exclaimed
lld, uOly llSuty OlSpCIhS VI uCd' Ou nAo SVAbS
Or of the eternal co-eternaf beam,
May express thee unbamed ?+since God is light.
Indeed could quite so have exclaimed
but for the sad reflection that whether it
shall bring healing in its beams or be lost
in dark and ominous eclipse ere it's good
work be done, depends so much upon the
action of others who may not regard it
and view it as do. So at best it is but a
ray-small and tremulous ray-enough
only to gladden. the heart and quicken
hope.
The prominent and leading idea Of that
Convention seems to have been desire
to reach a peaceful adjustment Of our
present difficulties and strife through the
medium Of a convocation OF the States
They propose to suspend hostilitics to see
what can be done, if anything, by nego-
tiation OF some sort. This is one step in
tho right direction. To such Convention
of the States I should have no objection
az peaceful conference and interchange
OF views between equal and sovereign
Powers ust as the Convention Of 1877
was called and assembled. The properly
constituted authorities at Washington and
Richmond, the duly authorized Represen-
tatiyes OF the two Confcderac;es Of States,
| now at war with each other, might give
their assent to such proposition. Good
might result from it. 1t would be an ap-
peal on both sides from the sword to rea-
son and justice. All wars which Go not
result in the extinction or determination
of one side or the other must be ended
sooner or later by some sort of negotia-
ton. From the discussion and interchange
of views in such Convention, the history
as well the true nature of our institutions
and tho relation of the States towards each
other and towards the Federative Head
wolld doubtless be much better under
stood generally than they are now. But I
should favor sach proposition only as a
peaceful conference as the Convention OF
1877 was. l should he opposed to leaving
the question at issue to the absolute decis-
ion OF such body. Delegates might be
clothed with powers to consult and agree
if they could upon some plan of adjust.
ment to be submitted for subsequent rati
fication by the sovereign States whom il
affected, before it should be obligatory OF
binding and then binding only on such as
should so ratify. 1t becomes the people
Of the South as we'll as the people of the
North to lie quite as watchful and jealou'
OF their rights as their common ancestor
were. The maintenance of Liberty in al
ages, times and countries, when and where
it has existed, has required not only con
slant vigilance and jealousy but has Otter
required the greatest privations and suffer
ings and sacrifices that people or State
are ever subjected to. Through such al
ordeal we are now passing. Through
Ike and even severer ordeal our ancestor
passed in their struggle for the principle
which it has devolvel upon us thus to de
fend and maintain. But great as our sui
ferings and sacrifices have been and are t.
which you allude, they are as yet far shos
of the like sufferings and sacrifices whicI
our fathers bore with patience, courag
and lortitude in the crisis that I" tried mem
souls +" in their day. These are the virtue
that sustained them in their hour of need
Their illustrious and glorious example bid
us not to underestimate the priceless in
heritance they achieved for lis at such
cost OF treasure and blood. Great as ar
the odds we are struggling against, the
are not greater than those against whic
they successfully struggled.
In point of reverses, our condition
. not to be compared with theirs. Shout
Mobile, Savannah, Charleston, Augusts
Macon, Montgomery, and even Petersbur
. and Richmond fall, our condition woul
not then be worse or less hopeful tina
, theirs was in the darkest hour that reste
!, on their fortunes. With wisdom on til
i. part of those who control our destiny
the cabinet and in the field, in husban,
f ing and properly, welding our resource
, at their command, and in securing til
: hearts and the affections of the people
:, the great cause Of Right and Liberty IL