Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-02

Inc peace conference at Nlagart rams 80
far as the rebels are concerned, is possibly an in'
dication that they have a disposition to avoid the
last ditch if possible, by making some terms, and
is, so FAR an exhibition of weariness if not weak
ness aud exhaustion, in the traitors confederocy
Whether Messrs Clay, Hocombe Sanders and
others, claiming to act in behalf of the rebel
authorities, had any commission, except to ascer-
tam how heir propositions would be received at
Washington CT not, the very fact thai they APP
preached our Government on such an errand,
coupled with the terms Of settlement they binted
At, which looked to reconstructed and restored
Uni n of some sort, and not rec ignition Of the
independence of the bogus Confsderacy, is proof
that such a Conclusion Of the war, however di-
tasteful to the traitors, is yet one 10 which they
are beginning to look as an event not quite so re-
pugnant to their feelings and opinions as the
longer continuance OF the war OF course the
ambassadors OF the rebellion, who opened their
peace correspondence with Nh Greeley at the
Fails, were conveniently vague and re.lcent in
exhibiting their authority and as the attempted
negotiation was interrupted by President Lincon's
statement OF the only basis upon which such ne
gotatlons could proceed it will no doubt be CON
venlenI for the rebel government to entirely ig-
more and lisown its messengers. 1t is undoubt-
edly true, however, that the machinery Get 10
operation at Niagara was devised at Richmond,
and Mr.. Clay was vel advised, if not specifically
instructed, respecting the wishes OF jeff. Davis.
Just what the rebels hoped to accomplish by
this flank movement, under flag OF truce, from
Canada, is not SO evident they could not, and
probably did not expect hat Their propositions
would be entertained though they might reason.
ably have anticipated that our government would
give them respectful herring, and indicate TO
them, courteously, yet firmly, what course We
should pursue to bring the desolations Of war to
an end. 10 any event, h,Reyer, The rebels had
little to lose ih attempting such conference. 1t
would serve their cause abroad Il they exhibited
desire for peace SO strong as to incline
them to return to the old Union, 1t would tend
slil more to :" fire the Southern heart" and ex-
asperate the rebels to continued resistance, to
know that proposition 10 restore the Union
modified only by the Calhoun doctrine OF State
Rights, was spurned, alm,st conlemptuously, by
the United States. And il might aiSO-and it wa
here, We think, Mesprs. Clay, Sanders & Co
looked chiefly for good results from their mission
furnish rallying ground and platform for the
Democracy of the North in the GIl campaign
And perhaps this political aspect of these peac,
propositions is worthy moments considera ton
The Democratic party,-or at least that por
ton Of it which has been actively at work poti
cally to get control Of the Governments had
for year or more hard road to travel Viii,
con!ending, with some degree of sincerity posi-
bly,, for restoration of he Union, under tn,
Constitution, they have continually asserted Ihei
disbelief in war alone as the agency to brinl
about this result. In their platforms and speeche
they have expressed themselves as DESTROYS o
holding out olive branches and other peace offer
ings to traitors in arms, AID have declared theil
confident faith in concession and compromise al
the only road TO peace md union. There has
however, all this time been difficulty in the
prospective working of their plan, il adopted, il
the fact that the rebels have constantly in every
publication official or unofficial, declared theil
mistaken purpose to fight their rebellion through
to the bitter end, and accept no conclusion of th'
strife except victory and Independence, or defe "a
and humiliation scouting at all times the prof,
fered commseration and good offices Of copper
heads in their efforts for peace while pauing then
On the 81 ouldtrs aud calling them good fellows a
their allies in their warfare upon the Fedora
Union. The result has been that the Democratic
party has become IN fact, however dlifereM
may have been in opinion and desire, the dis
! union party, working for a peace which could oil
Q be reached through recognition of the ndeper
. dence of the Southern Confederacy and tn
heart Of the nation, ever true to the old Fla
against all assaiants, has therefore repudiate
-. and overwhelmed the party at the ballo,-box a
+ an ally of rebels in the field and for the la,
eight months, what was formerly the great Dem
ocratic party Of the country, and which once sine
the REBELLION carried the popular elections in a
/ most every northern State, has fallen into such
me m and poor estate that il has seemed almoi
poweress for mischief This is no exaggerate
statement Of the judgment Ct condemnatio
y which the people have entered up against Th
i once powerful organization, and il is not surpri
4 ing that in its extremity, the rebels should dtvi,
d cheme which they hoped mishtgve platforl
i and renewed life and vigor to theparty and thu
increase their own chances Of Ultimate success
And it is in this view that this Niagara Peac
J. Conference has its chief significance. 1t is Ii
first indication, which has seemed to have an
authority, of disposition on the part of the rel
:. els 10 listen to any proposition for restorato
Of the Union, and as SUCH it will be quoted b
3 the Democratic press, from one end Of the Unio
J to The other as conclusive reply to the Lithert
h unsnswerble declaration, that the rebels woul
IT make no compromise by which the war may eut
;, and the integrity of the Union be preserved. Til
: Peace Democrats will renew with more than the
o former emphasis the camor for settlement an
y pacdcatou Of the strife ow rendng and tearir
, the Nation. The Dem crats OF a more pruden
sometimes more warlike, character, who have ia
e yored the sword il it could be accompanied wi.
. the olive branch, will fud in the Niagara CORE
pondence new arguments for their hvorite de-
true Of so fighting ones enemies 10 dAy ina, the,