Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-07-22
rhe Peace correspondence.


or two with rumors OF Peace. Vague
and indefinite as was the only intelligence
given to the public on the subject, il was
still sufficient TO inspire something like
hope in the hearts Of all good men aud
women, that this most desolating and
ruinous war was approaching an end. A
corresponding gloom was felt by the
ghouls who have so long fattcned on
blood and now when the telegraph an
nounces that grim ABRAHAM has ab
rup0y repulsed every advance of the Con
ioderatc peace. seekers, tho ghonls throw
up their CORY hands, and shout with de-
moniac gec, aud prepare again for their
accustomed repast Of blood
We will give, in brief, all that is GER
tainly known of the matter in question
1t is enough to show the people, that when
pence was possible, the authorities at
Washington deliberately chose bloody
aud cruel war instead first by refusing to
recognize by name the gentlemen who
came with overtures from the Confederate
Government, and second, by prescribing
conditions in advance whichit was known
would never be accepted by those in re-
bellion until the work Of subjugation and
determination is complete.
The first note Of the correspondence is
! from GEoRaE n. SANDERS to HoRAcE
GREELEY, and is simply the expression of
desire on the part Of the former, and
three other gentlemen, to visit Washing
ton, provided they can be furnished with
safe conduct
Mr.. GREELEY, who, whatever may be
the tone of the paper which he ostensibly
edits, (the actual control Of which long
since passed out OF his hands, heartily
detests this war, and devouty desires
peace, replied that he understood Mr. SAN
DERs and his associates to be accredited
from Redmond as bearers of propositions
looking to the establishment of peace,
and upon that understanding he was au-
thorized by the President to tender them
safe conduct
To this Hon. c, Q. CLAY, and Prof j.
p HoLcoMBE, the gentlemen associated
with Mr.. SANDERS made response, that
they were not formally accredited from
Richmond, but that they were Gin the
confidential employment of their govern
ment. and entirely familiar with its wishes
and opinions on this subject, and felt
authorized to declare that if the circum-
stances disclosed in this correspondence
were communicated to Richmond, they
would at once be invested with the au-
thority to which your letter refers, or other
gentlemen clothed with full rower should
Immediately be sent to Washington, with
view TO fastening consummation so
much desired and terminating at the
earliest possible moment the calamties of
war;"
The reply of Mr.. GREELEY was, that as
the facts were not exactly as he had at
first understood them, he would telegraph
to the President for fresh instructions.
This he did The answer from LINCOLN
was delayed. No doubt there was
gathering of ghouls about him. They
were in panic, There was danger that
the war might be stopped, and they no
longer allowed to gorge themselves with
blood. When at last the answer came to
GREELEY's dispatch, it evinced total
change in what had seemed to be the dis
position of LINCOLN. 1t Extensively omit
ted the names of Messrs. CLAY, HoL-
CONNIE, and SANDERS, and was addressed
ITO whom it may concern" We give
it in full;
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, July 49,
To phom d may concern ANY proposition
which embraccs the restoration of peace, the
integrity Of the whole Union, and the aban.
uohnehl OF sAVerY, hnu "hlch comes by ana
with authority that can control the arms
now at war against the United States, will be
received and considered by the Executive
Government Of the United States and will
be met by liberal terms on substantiE! and
collateral points; and the bearers thereof
shall have safe conduct both ways.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
And thus ended all present hope of a
= termination of the war. Let the reader
consider the facts, aud he cannot mistake
in fixing responsibilities. mi