New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-02-19
REBEL POLITICAL TACTICS.
7. BUTLER KINGS LETTER A FORGERY.
WHAT WAS TO BE GAINED BY 1T.
COPPERHEAD COMPLETELY.
Correspondence Of The N. Y. Tribune.

................ WASHINGTON, Feb. 49, 1864.
My attention was yesterday called 10 better
published in The NEG York Daily NeUs Of the 2ist Of
December purporting have been written by T. Butler
King Of Georgia to Robert II. Whitfield Of Virginia
The letter Is dated at Stamford Ca June e. 1903 and
pnrports to present the views Of Mr. King in regard to
the war; and the terms upon which he would favor peace
The Ntvs. in introducing the letter. saysritis up
doubtedly genuine" that "Mr. King is o practical
man. and tekes practical view Of things in view Of tee
necessities Of the South"
Now desire to inform your readers. and the wboe
peope of the North that the letter in question never
was written by Mr. King; that he does not entertain
the views or sentiments therein ascrbed to hiru;
that the letter is a genuine Rebel humbag, and
genuine Peace party trick to deceive tho onwny.
and prepare the public mind for issues To Do nieds
in the next Presidential contest and to win corgres
sonal converts to Fernando Woods pet scheme icr
sending Commissioners South TO propose 10 the Rebel
authorities terms Of peace.
Here let me proceed with much bfevity as possible
TO state the facts and circumstances that warrant my
making this broad assertion. ,-1
The readers of my previous letters viii remember that
Rebel conscript, who, after being severely
wounded was detailed Clerk in the Rebel War De
partment in which capacity served until the 18Th OF
November last. .-..,-.......-
During last Autumn many Of the Rebel leaders BE-
came satisfied from their epondence with prominent
Peace men in New.York, Ohio and other States, ard
from the reports Of returned emsaiss to the North.
that II the Peace leaders enabled TO show the
Northern people strong probability, OF plausible
reasons for the belief that the Seeded States would.
upon fair terms return ~ the UDion the Peace membes
Of the next presen Federal Congress, could, with some
prospect of success offer resolutions send Commission
30 1fre fhe
oluons were rejected argue the people in the next
Presidential that TIC war Is not being prose
cuted for the restoration Of the Unon but is an Abo.
ton crusade for the extirpaon Of Sayerythat with
this object it must be war of years. and failure at
astand that the Union can aud will be restored with
out further OF blood and treasure II de Peacs
candidate Ia elevated TO the Presidential chair.
In this connection will make short extract ron
the written report Of Col Msrgrsve, the cool cunning.
calculating villain quoted by in my last letter. Who
as leading Rebel emisSar hos spent much Ime il tie
North ............s -..-.......s
In speaking CT the Peace party, he sd:
Nearly all the leaders with whom couverssd agree
that while majority Of the Northern people would
favor carrying the for twenty yesrs rather than
submit to division Of the Cnion yet they wonld pre-
fer to restore tho Onion by peaceful measures. r.
said one of the most prominent leaders we could Only
snsfy people that the Sonh would upon reasonable
terms. return to the Union, party would soon b. in
the ascendant and quickly put sn end TO the war; But
all the papers and public of the South IN their
writings and speeches, insist recognition OF the
Coniederscy IS the only terms Of peace that win he
listened to- These articles and speeches quoted BY
the War party show thai the only hope for tue unisn
is through prosecution Of the war. How are We 70
convince the people thatthe Union be restored BY
oil fha ea In he
are continually declaring reconstruction impossible.
This and subsequent reports together with letters OF
srInnr s-.- Gopperhesds in the North Induced
certain Rebel politicians to consutc Themselves Com.
mttee to devise scheme 10 assist tie Peace party ITO
put down the War party and AbOlitionists."
The sefconstitutcd Committee consisting OF Gilmer
d. r. Wexford. jun, 6. W. Lnner Of Richmond, and
Henry T. Marsh of Savsnnah met several times for
ference and deberaon in one OF the II the War
Department before settling upon any plan procedure
On two of these occasions was present with two
three others connected with the Department and heard
the views aud policy Of the respective members. As
of these views may be interesting. and viii ba
requisite proper appreciation Of tie chioanery that
the honorable men, the chvary Of tie South, con
DO led by traitorous expedienry to d,scrrd 10.
shall give brief ep.tomo OF them before exposing ts
miserable plans agreed upon. Of which The letter signed
Dulcr Ming puplisleu Dy Ihe -'eHs, Hrins psOAt-
part. ........ Is
Mr. Gilner celebrated. or rather a noto-iour law
yer in Richmond OF whom / shall lave occasion "
speak hereafter said I'VE have nothing to do with
ethcs--the science of morals mist give way TO tho
science Of war and politics--wc are fghtns
for prircplowe must beat tie enemy and no matter
how do It, the end viii justify The means Our #.
iorts civilians and politicians to overcome the Yau.
kees deserve to be called strategy much as the
VI generals in tie field And if we acs
boldly and snrewdy can trick the eHemy aud in.
jare him than 100 900 men with Geu Lee at hcir
lead could do" ..............
But to give the language OF these respectively
would occupy TOO much space in your columns. All
agreed that II the continued upon the scale a..
before, 1t Was only question o. time when they
give way to superior strength and Numbers ii they
could put the rcins Of the Yankee Government in the
hands Of tho Peace party they would be- able 20 dictate
ler own terms OF peace, anu they had been assured
over and over agdn, hy Trustworthy friends In the
North, that that party could triumph II assisted by tho
politicians Of the South-f The Northern peope could
% shown that prominent Southern statesmen wers
n favor OF reunion Now ii would be easy T. send
heir friends In the North letters aud papers overthe
arres Of distinguished men, expressing desire to re-
too the Union and 1t would BE- last as easy after al
owing the letters, &c. to have desired effect for
he supposed authors to deny and il necessary, dis.
rove their authenticity They masthelp their Northern
riends either to the Abotonists oat Of Office or
ct the smart Yankees to fighting among themselves
Ike Kilkenny cats
Such were the ideas expres ed b. The misar,he ro,
have named. For TIE purpose Of promotin, their M
liz atfa r,<to I.