The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-07-25
MONDAY, JULY 25, 1864.
THE NIAGARA PEACE PROPORTIONS
AND THEIR ADVOCATES.

THB NIAGARA PEACE PROPOSITIONS
AND THEIR ADVOCATES.
Some Journals are furnishing historical cita.
tiOns for the purpose Of showing that, during
the Revolution, the English proved their de-
sire 0r an amicable settlement Of difficulties
by the appointment Of commissioners to treat
with US, even although they regarded US as a
most pestilent set of Rebels. Hence, It is
argued that this Government evidenced un-
precedented and unrelenting animosity to-
wards the South by continuing to prosecute
the war without hearkening TO peaceful
words, couched in the persuasive language Of
Nessrs, CLAY and HoLCoSBE, who are re-
pulsed through the promptlngs Of that I'M
mitIgated ferocity which has hitherto contu-
meliously rejected all efforts at pacidcation,
90 constantly profered by the tender-hearted
SOutherners.
Tho A0e says 1.-THE pretense on the part
OF Mr.. LINCOLN Is now tho same that it was
" when Vice-President STEPHENS solicited
" permission TO visit Washington, viz. THAT
"'he cannot treat with Rebels with arms in
80 their hands," The President says nothing
Of the sort. Messrs. CLAY and HoLcoMBE
acknowledge that Mr. HoLCoMBE, although
unAccredited TO the Government, received 10
the presence OF Mr.. GREELEY, and from the
hands OF Major HAY, paper written by the
President 1t ran as follows:-
"RKBcUTIvH MANSION, WASHINGTON, d. c..
" July Is, 1864.-To ,ohOBl IL may coHcerR.-Any
50 proposition which embraces the restoration OF
peace, the integrity Of the Union, and the
$ Abandonment OF slavery, and which comes by
nd vii anti ntrnIf fha nea
'' now at war against the United States, will be
received and considered by the Executive Gov
ernment Of the Uni ed States aud will be met by
-" liberal terms, on other substantial and collateral
points, and the bearers thereof shall have safe
" conduct both ways.
"ABRAHAH LINCOLN"
e this R1rejection of all overtures because
those making them represent Rebels with
aryhs In their hands? 1t was just because
|Messrs. CLAY and HoLcoMBE could afford no
testimony that they did represent Rebels with
arms In their hands, that their wish to repre-
sent them was declined.
No historical authority can be cited TO show
that II was ever for q moment contemplated
that any men except those formally en-
powered by England would be received by
the Rebel colonists; and these agents were
nary powers.
Ia It for nation to enter into communica-
ton with men who speak vaguely of what
might happen-that If certain circumstances
were known at Richmond, they or some Other
persons would probably be duly accredited
Is 1t for this nation to take the assertions o.
Irresponsible men as to the performance o
others who have proved their disregard o
former obligations? Reverse the case, anC
assume for moment equality between thii
Government and the powers at Richmond
Would JEFFERSON DAVIS listen to such
0vertures as those OF Messrs. CLAY and HoLr
OoMDB, If they had been proffered by unac
credited men lodging at hotel on the south
ern bank Of the Rio Grande2
This Government could not have done any
thing more derogatory. or more dangerous
than to accept a conference with men wht
could not even tender a guarantee which
pledged the good faith Of those whose view
they claimed to understand and express
warrant slender enough, but they had no
even that. The letters of MesSrs. CLAY ant
HOLcoMBE to Mr.. GREELEY, referring TO tn
President, said: ave have not been ac
credited to him from Richmond az tn,
& bearers Of propositions looking to the estab
tishment fpeace. We are, however, in th'
confidential employment Of our Govern
ment, and are entirely familiar with it,
wishes and opinions on that subject; anC
4" we feel authorized to declare that, if the cir
q cumstances disclosed in this correspond
g. ence were communicated to Richmond, W,
would be at once invested with the autho
rity TO which your letter refers; or other
gentlemen, clothed with Iull powers, woulC
be Immediately sent TO Washington" &c
Show me your credentials says the President
o. let Others show me theirs, and Rebe
though they be, listen. But Messrs. CLAY
sad HOLCOsBE had no credentials, and IN,
Presidents manifesto did not concern thom.
The fitness OF Messrs. CLAY aud Hon
smE TO act as negotators is fully shown Il
their final letter 10 Mr. GREELEY. We vii
q ote u few passages =" You were authorizes
,y the President of the United States :
ender US his saie-conduct, on the hypothcsl
hat We were duly accredited from Rich
3. nhond as hearers OF propositions looking t
lie establishment OF peace With thi
ION of the President, Messrs. CLAY an
HnLCOMFE profess themselves as having bee
eased, as the evidence OF an uneXpecte
.ut most gratifying change in the policy
he President" Yet the safe-conduct hayin
been rendered upon the terms wit
which they expressed themselves graf
fed, they are obliged 20 confess thl
they are not entitled TO II In vlrtu
ofbetng able to present credentials. Still the
feel confident that Mr.. GREELEY "must shaI
our profound regret that the spirit whic
dictated the first step towards peace ha
q not continued to animate the cOunsels
your President" They go on to say-"Thi
the representatives of the two Government
met TO consider this questionable mo
momentous ever submitted TO human state
manshipjp &c. We thought that they ha
confessed that-"We have not been accredite
to him nom Richmond as the bearers
propositions looking to the establishment
Hpeace," &c.
Towards the close Of their letter. Messr
CLAY and HoLooMBE go OF into the region
Of htfdIutin about "every patriot and Chri