The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-08-23
wALCOrT HAMLIN, Esq. Of N. H.,
win speak ~ follows; At
The Argus and the Richmond Sentinel.

Our neighbor afew days ago copied an elab-
crate leader from the Richmond Sentinel, and
presented 1t to his readers as proof that the
rebels are very DESTROYS Of peace. Now we
have no doubt the masses of rebeldom desire
peace, and would pursue q just and honorable
course to obtain the blessing, il they were not
kept under and bound down by the most cruel
and relentless military despotism that ever
cursed any country on the globe. II these
crushed masses could emerge from their pres
ent position and once get the coutrol of what
is called the confederacy, they would ask for
peace and admission into the Union, and ask
too In such manner and on such conditions
as to secure the immediate attention of our
Government, and the. boon they so much de-
sire.
But until the military power of JEFF Davis
Is broken, and his army routed and scattered,
the voice OF these masses cannot be heard
amid the roar Of rebel cannon, or If heard, 1t
will not be needed, but stifed and powerless.
Stop the thunder OF these rebel cannon, the
rafting Of rebel musketry, the shrieking ofreb-
ell shells, and the music OF the rebel esr-pierc-
ing ffe ond soul-stirring drum, and the cry of
peace would come up from the depths of mil
lions of hearts and reach the heavens. The
love for the old flag Of the Union would be re-
kindled into blaze, and war and rumors of war
would no longer be heard within our borders.
The policy of the rebel leaders would be repu-
dated, and they would be driven from the land
they have SO much oppressed. But it may be
asked, do not these rebel leaders want peace
We answer, they do, but on such conditions as
The loyal people and the friends OF the Union
Ill never grant. But whist OF the offers of
ice which this organ of JEFF. Davis has re-
Gently nader We give below an extract from
tn, Richmond Sentinel which embodies the
gisi Of their peace offers, and which the Argus
SO fondly hugs to Its bosom as evidence that
these leading traitors are anxious for peace.
Here II Isl
eve Of thu South consider ind.pen dence as the
grea, and nrst object ofhc ,aad that separation
~ essential to Independence yet we shall be willing
o,bss 70 what you have say and propose on the
you may offer us something that will
secufe our equal rights U.fhia the Un,oa. We don't
consideration"
Now let the reader remember that the ideas
Swallowed forth In the above extract ara d.
rectly Ia the teeth of what JEFF. Davis said to
Gilmore and utterly opposed to the whole scope
and tenor of rebel proceedings. But this il not
ALL This Richmond editor, this pretended
inouthpiece Of the arch traitor himself, is ex-
ceedingly cunning and shrewd, very cautious
and careful not to commit himself or any body
else to any definite policy, or to any distinct
and tangible offers Of peace. Let the reader
mark that we'll.
This rebel editor is most anxious to furnish
political capital for Vallandigham and his par
ty, and to give the coming Chicago Conven-
ton something TO harp upon, and, If possible.
to deceive the people and secure their votes
for the peace junto. Their object is as clear
and distinct as a sunbeam, and no intelligent
reader can fall to see 1t. The democratic mar.
ty is sadly in want of political capital for the
coming campaign, and this rebel editor has un-
dertaken to furnish 1t cheaper than 1t can be
obtained elsewhere.