The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-01-12

Tuesday, January I2, 1854.
PEACE PRoPosITIoNs.--Twow weeks ago we eu O.
gested that it would be we'll for Congress to appoint
Commissioners to propose terms of peace on the
basis OF separation and the independence of the
Confederate States. Although it is well understood
by every man who is familiar with the condition of
affairs and the history of the present struggle that
our authorities are ready and anxious to make peace
on such terms at any time the Lincoln Government
may show disposition to accept them, suggest
ed that the Commissioners ought to be appointed.
and ought to seek audience with the rulers at
Washington, so 10 force Lincoln to receive or
reject them, and also to satisfy some of our own
people who have been deceived on the subject by
office hunters and led to believe that our authori
ties had not done all they could to procure an
honorable peace" So far as we have been in
formed, our article meets with general approval
The Fayetteville Observer copies and endorses it
except in one point, that suggesting the appoint
ment of the Commissioners by Congress. The OBJ
says:
The point upon which, we dissent from the De-
m"crats proposition is that instead of any member
from North or South Carolina Georgia moving in
the matter, we think it would be proper that the
President should dc So and that he should appoint
the Commissioners. with the Concurrence of the Sc
nate, instead of Congress appointing them
On reflection are satisfied that we were wrong
i'll this respect, and that the Observer is rght-the
commissioners should be appointed by the Presi-
dent with the CONCURRENCE of the Senate they being
the only treaty making powers recognized by the
Constitution. .
Peace can be secured only by the action of our
National authorities. Movements for that purpose
by State Legislature State Convention would
involve US in deeper trouble and might lead to
civil war among ourselves. For instance, State
Convention could not peace for the people of
North Carolinaaal"ner-it would be dSgraceful and
traitorous TO attempt such thing, and the man
who would propose wicked scheme of that kind
ought to be looked upon and treated dangerous
enemy to peace here at home. God grant that our
people may be saved from intestine feuds and
The war with the yankees is distressing enough
without turmoil and strife among ourselves.
We are just about anxious for honorable
peace any man in this world, but we are willing
to leave the matter in the hands of National
authorities, where the Constitution has placed it.
President Davis and his Cabinet anxious for
peace Their liyes-their all, as we'll as
that of every other true southern man-are at
stake. If our cause fails all together are doomed
to an gnomnous fate. This being so, ough: not
to work together encourage the faint hearted, dis
courage and frown upon the schemes of bad men
to divide and give cordial support to our au-
thoritcs and the measures adopted to save our
country from being overrun by brutal and nerci
less enemy! He who concocts schemes to
crafty personal ambition, spite, or malice, and
with those schemes strs up strife and quarrels
among southern people, is dangerous and wicked
man and an enemy TO peace.
The President and the Confederate Senate are
the proper to originate peace measures and
although the President has heretofore made efforts
to bring the enemy to terms and although those
advances have been rejected and spurned by the
Lincoln Government, we hope he will make another
effort by appointing commissioners and proclaimiug
the fact to the world.