The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1864-10-26


Of convention of the States. They propose
to suspend hOstilities TO see what oan be
done, IL anything, by negotiation OF some
sort This Is one step IN the right direction
To such convention of the States should
have no objection, as peaceful conference
and interchange of views between equal and
sovereign powers, just as the convention Of
1881 was called and assembled
The properly constituted authorities at
Washington and Richmond, the duly au-
thorlZed representatives of tho two confed-
eraeies Of States now at war with each other
might give their assent to such proposition.
Good might result from it. 1t would be an
appeal on both sides from the sword to rea-
son and Justice. All wars which do not ro-
suit in the extinction or determination of
one side or the other, must be ended sooner
or later by some sort of negotiation.
From the discussion or interchange of
view in such Convention. the history as
well as the true nature of our Institutions
and the relation of the States toward each
other aud toward the Federal head, would
doubtless be much better understood gener-
ally, than they now are but | should favor
such a proposition only as peaceful con-
ference, as the Convention of 1887 was.
should be opposed TO leaving the questions
at issue to the absolute decision Of such a
body ...
Delegates might be clothed with powers
to consult and agree, if they could, upon
sOIne plan of adjustment, to'be submitted
Tor subsequent ratification by the sovereign
States whom it affected, before it should 10
or binding, and then binding oLiy
on such al should tatty it. 1t becomes the
people Of the South, as well rs the people
Of the North, to be quite ~ vstchful aid
jealous Of their rights as their common an
cestors were.
The maintenance Of liberty in all ages,
times and countries, when aud where it has
existed, has required not only constant Vigi-
lance and je;lousy, but it has citen requir-
ed the greatest priyaticns and suEerings
and sacrifices that people or States are ever
subjected to. Through such an ordeal We
are now passing. Through like an even
severef ordeal our ancestors passed in their
for the principles which it has de-
v0lyed upon Us thus to demand and main
tain. 49,
But great as our suferings AID sacrifices
have been and are, towhich you allude they
are not yet far short Of the like sutferings
and sacrifices which our fathers bore with
patience, courage, and iortitude in the cri-
sis that tried men souls, in their day.
These are the virtues that sustained them
in the hour of need Their eillustrous and
glorious example bids us not to under est-
mate the priceless inheritance they achieved
for lis at such a cost 0f treasure and blood
Great az are the odds we are struggling
against, they are not greater than those a
gainst which they successfully struggled. In
point of revcrSeS our condition is not to be
compared to theirs. Should Mobile, Sayan-
ali, Charleston, Augusta, Macon, Montgo-
merry, and even Petersburg and Mchmoud
fall, our condition would not then be worse
or less hopeful than theirs was in the dark.
est hour that rested on their fortunes.
With wisdom on the part Of those who
contto our destiny in the Cabinet and i'll
the field in outstanding and properly WELD
ing cur resources at their command, and in
securing the heaits and affections OF the peo-
pie IN the great cause OF right and Ioerty
for which we are struggling, We could sut
fer all these losses and caiamities, and great
er even, and still triumph i'll the end.
At present, however, | do not see, as |
stated IN the outset, that you ol |, or any
member OF persons IN our position, can do
anything toward inaugurating nay new move
ment looking to a peaceful solution Of the
present strife. The war on our part il fair
ly and entirely defensive III It's character.
How long it will continue to be thus wick
edly and mercilessly waged against us de-
pends upon the people Of the North,
Georgia, our own State, to whom We owe
allegiance, has with great Inanilnity pro
claimed the principles upon Which J. Just and
permanent peace ought to be sought and
The Congress Of the Confederate
States has followed with an indorsement OF
these principles, All, you and |, and 9th
ers in our position, therefore, cou do on that
line at this time is to sustain thq movement
already inaugm atcd, aud to the utmost OF
our ability, hold up these principles, as the
sureSt hope Of restoring eoundness to the
public mind of the North, as the brazen
serpe MT was held up for the heahug of lsra-
ell in the wilderness
! he chief aid and the encouragement we
can give the peace party at the North, is to
keep before them these great fundamental
principles and truths, which alone will lead
them and us to permanent peace, with ros-
Sc sion and Ell joyment of constitution onal lib
orty. With these princil les once reeognlz
I'd the future would take care of itself and
there would be no more war SO long as they
she uld be adhered to-
All questions Of boundaries, confedera
hes and union or unions would naturally
aud ca iaAy a just themselves, according to
he interests OF parties and the cxieel Q es tf
The times. Herein lies the true law or the
balance of power and the harmony Of the
Stnfns + NplIrS rnguppftlIliv ~
ALEXANDER H STEPHENS.
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