The New York herald., 1864-10-17


Peacs-His Instructaons 10 hts Northorn
Cos fsaeratcs.
We submit to the special attention of our
readers this morning the letter, in full, Of the
rebel Vice President, Alexander II. Stephens, o.
September %, to certain lrieads ia Gseigia, on
the peace question. 1t will not need second
perusal, we think, to satisfy any politician of
ordinary intelligence that this silly pronncia-
miento of Southern secession distractions is in
tended for the encouragement and guidance Of
the Northern copperhead peace faction in this
Presidential canvass. That it will be accepted
by this revolutionary faction as model of
Cancellation and wisdom we cannot doubt, for
it has the true ring of the peace speeches of
Mr.. George H. Pendleton, and of the moral
philosophy, as peace maker, of the Hon. Ben.
Wood.
What says Mr.. Stephens After referring to
this peace-at-any-price faction Of the North
as an organization resulting from certain peace
ideas promulgated by the Georgia Legislature,
Mr.. Stephens says that for the perfect solution
of all our existing troubles, North and South,
nothing more is required ethan the simple re-
cognition of the fundamental principle of truth
upon which all American constitutional liberty
is founded that is, the sovereignty-the ultimate,
absolute sovereignty-of the States. This doc
trine our Legislature (Georgia) announced to
the people Of the North and the world. 1t is
the only keynote to peace-permanent, lasting
peace" &c. This is nothing more, however,
than the hideous monster which gave birth to
this rebellion. 1t was kicked out of the coun-
try with the writing of the first sentence Of our
federal constitution, which reads:-"We, the
people Of the United States''-not we, the sew
eral States, each acting as sovereignty-but
I'VE, the people of the United States"-that is
of all the States, acting in one body, as the
representatives Of great nation, and not of
miserable league of States, held together by
q rope of sand, Gin order to form more per-
feet Union," &c. that is, more perfect Union
than the old confederation, which was in the
nature of league, ''do ordain and establish
this constitution" Our general government
was thus recognized as that of nation, and
to its national unity, powers and authority,
every State concerned was made subordinate,
under ''the supreme law of the land"
So much for this atrocious Southern heresy
Of absolute State sovereignty" Now let us
see what the rebel Vice President proposes to
do with it as the initial starting point for peace.
He says "the action Of the Chicago Conven-
ton. so far as Its platform Of principles goes,
presents, as have said on another occasion,
ray of light which, under Providence, may
kho lnv~ oc Ioxx
cheerless night" How? Through the medium
Of convention Of all the Statesev Mr..
Stephens favors this proposition; but upon
what basis? The basis which only an idiot or
a Jacobin would offer to his confederates. He
suggests convention OF all the States to con-
suit together, and that if they come to any
agreement it shall be binding only upon those
States that may choose, each in its sovereign
capacity, to ratify it. What would be the
working Of this machine? Let us see. The
war is stopped. All the States are turned
loose. This convention of all the States turned
loose assemblies. 1t adopts treaty Of peace
and reunion by unanimous vote. The treaty
several States, each recognized as sovereign
nation; but the States concerned in this rebel
lion have been taught what to do. They
reject the treaty, and fall back
upon their Montgomery Southern confederacy
and the Union is gone to pieces. This is the
entertainment to which Mr.. Stephens tells us
"a ray OF light has been thrown from the
Chicago Convention.
Such are the Juggling tricks which the rebel
Vice President proposes on behalf peace. He
says "that tie 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 and lasting peace,
and tell it not in Gath with possession and
enjoyment of constitutional liberty" Can it
be possible that Stephens and his Southern
rebel confederate rulers are still the oracles of
a party in the North on constitutional princi-
pies? Have they still in this section party of
services! If so, was there ever such brazen-
faced insolence on the ons side, or such scan
dalous degradation on the other? At all events,
we guess that the Northern peace party will
derive very little aid and comfort from this
peace platform of their Southern State rights
leader, Mr.. Stephens
His war notions too, are as preposterous as
his peace theories. He compares this war Of
the rebellious States with that of our great
Revolutionary struggle Of &c, when they are
as wide apart As tie poles aad no more re-
semble each other than light resembles dark
ness. Nor will they compare with each other
in regard to the opposing forces, until JEFF.
Davis shall be assisted by the fleets and armies
of France. We have reason to believe, how
ever, that this peace manifesto from Mr..
Stephens, like the late letter Of Governor
Brown, OF Georgia, to General Sherman, was
written more in fear Of JEFF. Davis and the
overshadowng presence of his army, under