The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-07-29
The Negotiations for Peace.

The Negotiations for Peace.
The correspondence in our telegraphic
columns will attract the attention of every
reader. 1t appears that Mr.. HORACE
GREELEY, with the knowledge and consent
of Mr.. LINCOLN, rendered certain distin-
guished citizens of the South safe conduct
to Washington, for the purpose Of con-
ference with our authorities, under mis-
taken supposition that they were duly
accredited from Richmond as the bearers
of propositions looking to the establish
ment of peace. These gentlemen prompt
" disavow any authority to speak for the
Confederate government, but continue to
express desire to visit Washington. Mr..
GREELEY communicates this state of facts
to Mr.. LINCOLN and solicits further instruc-
tons. Major hay, Private Secretary OF
the President, then appears on the scene
with the answer of Old ABE, in the shape
of an uhimatuns, in advance OF any nego-
tiatione. addressed "to whom it may con-
cern." This is the most remarkable docu-
ment ever issued by Mr. LINCOLN. He
says. in effect, that no proposition that
does net embrace the abandonment of sla-
very will be received or considered by the
Executive of the United States. The reb-
els may agree to lay down their arms-to
acknowledge their allegiance to the Con-
stitution-ir short, to become good, loyal
citizens, but be will not cease the war IN
til slavery is abolished. No other con-
et-uction can fairly be put on his language.
The war must 60 on-not for putting down
the rebellion and the restoration Of the
Union, but for the enforcement of his
Proclamation of Emancipation.
We have no heart to comment on a
document like this. 1t seems directly
calculated to inefnitely prolong the war.
That our readers may see what q change
has come over Mr.. LINCOLN in two years,
we print below the letter which he adj
dressed to Mr.. GREELEY, when the latter
accused him of violating bis official oath
because he did not then enforce the coll
fscation bill according to GREELEY's no
tons. The letter is as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, I
WASHINGTON, August %, 1892
To Hon. Horace Greeley:
DEAR SIR have just received yours of the
10th inst, addressed to myself through the
New York Tribune. If there he in it any state
ments or assumptions of facts which I may
know to be erroneous, do not now and here
controvert them. If there be any differences
which l may believe to be falsely drawn, do
not now and here argue against them. If
There be perceptible IN it an impatient and die.
tatorial tone, waive it in Difference to an old
friend whose heart l have always supposed to
be right.
As to the policy seem to be pursuing, as
you say, have not mean: to leave any one of
you in doubt. l would save the Union; l
would rave it in the shortest way under the
Constitution. The sooner the national author
ity can be restored the nearer the Union will
be the Union as it was. If there be those who
would not save the Union unless they could at
the same time save slavery, do not agree
with them. If there Be those uho ,oould not sare
Tie Union unlsss they could at the same time de-
stroy Slavery, 40 not ogree nth them.
My paramount object is to save the
Union, and not either to save or destroy
slavery. If could save the Union without
freeing any slaves, would do it; and if l
could save it by freeing all the slaves, I would
do it; and if could safe 1t By freeing some and
leaving others alone, would also do that. What
I do about slavery and the colored race, do
because believe it helps to save the Union /;
and what forbear, forbear because do not
believe it would help to save the Union.
shall do less whenever shall believe what
am doing hurts the enemy and shall do more
whenever believe doing more will help the
cause shall try to correct errors when shown
to be errors and shall adopt new views so
fact as they shall appear to be true views.
I have here stated my purpose. according to
my view of official duty, and intend no modi-
hca.ion of my oft expressed personal wish
that all men, everywhere, could be free.
Yours, ....'... A.. LINCOLN.
! Then, two years ago, Mr.. LINooIN's
paramount object was to maintain the
Constitution and preserve the Union,
"with or without slavery What his
J a.. ., ,o,r 20 NOV ho 1oornod from hie