Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-08-31
NAHAsr, Aug. 20, 1854.

OGIltCNAths uhNO " hShuOWlGuEG LUG
receipt of your letter of the goth, addressed
to me 10 New York.
1t your letter were in effect, on. appeal
only to my own sentiments in favor or q
reunion OF parties, should not hesitate 10
renounce any personal views, but would be
entirely ready to defer TO the public opin-
ion which yOur names represent,
But the conditions are no longer the
same as when l expressed my readiness to
retire in the event OF a contingency which
might have occurred at Baltimore. Having
now definitely accepted the Cleveland nom.
ination, l have not the right to act inde-
pendently of the truly patriotic and earnest
party who conferred that honor upon me.
In any event, it would be necessary FIRST to
consult with them. 1t might, besides, have
only the effect still further to unsettle the
public mind, and defeat the object you
have in view. if we should disorganIze be-
fore first proceeding TO organize something
better.
To this end suggest that a direct effort
be made to obtain an immediate under
standing between the supporters of the Bal
timore and Cleveland nominations, in or
der that the friends of both may oOalese and
unite upon sn early day for holding such
a convention as you propose. am salts
fed that do not assume too much in say
ing that my friends will unite heartily in
such q movement.
A really popular Convention, upon a
broad aud liberal basis, SO that it could be
regarded as convocation in mass Of the
people, and not the word of politicians,
would command public confidence. Such
a Convention, acting in the large and lib
eral spirit in which it was called, without
considerations of persons or political
cliques, and without reference TO bygone
situations, rising TO the level of the occs-
sion and taking the conditions of the coun'
try asI they present themselves to-day,
could safely be trusted TO propose such a
policy and name such man as should,
and undoubtedly would, receive the cor
dial and united support of the patriotic
masses of the people. To the great body
of these, so far as my information allows
me to form any opinion, think that the
following propositions would be accept.
/. Respect. for the practical liberty and
the constitutional rights and dignity of the
2. The maintenance of the dignity ofthe
Uuited States in their relations to foreign
powers.
3. The re-establishment of the Union;
by peace IL it is possiblei by war if the em-
ployment of peaceful measures cannot be
made to succeed.
Much has been said Of late about peace,
and you will therefore excuse me if say
here what understand by it. For me,
peace signifies the integral re establish
meuI of the Union, without slavery; be-
cause slavery ia the source of all our poltt
ical dissensions, and because the institu-
tion itself is condemned by the enlightened
aud liberal spirit OF the age. These are to
me essential conditions OF peace. If 1t Is
practicable to attain this result. Il would
not be paying too dearly for it-taking also
into consideration the material strength
Which the south has been permitted 10 &C
ouire by the conduct of the wGr-to make
concessions upon some points ofsecondary
importance, such as that of paying sn in
demnity for their slaves to those who have
remained in a sort of neutral condition
during the unhappy war which has con-
vulssd the country. To terminate this We
are now expendipg life and money; I
would certainly oe u gain to reduce II sim
ply TO 3 question OF money.
II in spite of all these efforts to spare the
South humiliation or losses OF capita
likely to be too severely felt, the politiea
chiefs who direct the South persist in war
then the policy Of the Convention should
be to pronounce in that case for war Witt
| all the energy and force Of the nation. Foi
peace, npon any terms and merely becaus,
it is peace-A peace recognizing north