The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-08-03

NUMBER Al.

Of a safe oonapct, vhioh had been extend
ed to us IN character we had no right TO
assume and had never affected to possess,
bat che uniform declarations Of our Exec
utive and Congress, and the thrice repeat.
ed and ss often reprlsed attempts to open
negodatiOns. furnish sufficient pledge
that this eonciiatory manifestation on the
part of the President Of the United States,
vorld be met By them ia temper ofequsl
nsgnanimity.
''We had, ,herfore, no hesitation in de-
eIsring. thar If this corresp ondence was
communicated 70 the Presid ent Of che Con-
federste States, he would promptly en-
brsoe the opportunity presented. for seek
ing pesoeful solution of this unhappy
strife.
We fesl confident you mnst share our
profound regret that the spirit which die
tated the srst step toward peace had not
oontinued 20 animate the cosnsels of your
President. Had tbs representatives of
two Governments met 70 consider -sbis
question, tbs most momentous ever sub.
raitted TO hdnsu Sfsse- roanship, in tenn
per Of becoming moderation and equality,
followed as their deliberations would have
been By the prayers and beuedic.ion of
every patriot and Christian on the habita-
bic globe Who is there so bold as to
pronounce that this frightfnl waste Of in-
diEidusl happiness and public prosperity
which is daily ssddening the universal
heart, might not have been terminated, OF
if the desolstiou or damage OF war must
sull be endured lhrough weary years of
blood ana suffering that there might not
at least have been infused into its conduct
something more oftbe spirit which sOf.eDs
and partially redeems its brutality
/. 'Instead of the safe conduct which we
solicited and which your first letter gavs
Us every reason to suppose would be ex-
tended for .he purpose of initiating negc-
titstion in which neither Governments would
compromise its rights oa its dignity, doc
ument is presented which provokes as much
indignation a' surprise. 1t bears no fea-
ture of resemblance to that which was
originally offered, and as unlike any psper
which ever before enanated from oonsii-
tu,ioual Executive Of free people, ad-
dressed 80 whom it may concern II
precludes negotiations and Prescribes in
advance the terms and conditions fpeace.
Il returns TO the original policy of no bar
gaining, DO negotiations, no truces With
rebels, except TO bury their dead, until
every man shall lave laid down his arms,
submitted to the Government and sued for
mercy. What may be the explanation OF
this sudden and entire change in the viewr
Of the President, Of this rude vishdrswal
of oourteons overture for negotiation, az
q momen. when it was likely to be accept
ed, of this emphatic recall of words OF
peace just uttered and fresh threats of war
/ 10 the bitter end, we leave to further spec
rl.tion of those who have the means or
inclination to penetrase the mysteries Of
bis Cabinet or fathom the caprice of his
imperial viii. Itis enough for Us to say
that we have 10 use, whatever, for the
/ paper which has been placed in our hands.
We eould rot transmit it TO the President
Of tbe Confederate States without Offering
him nn indigpty. dishonoring ourselves
and inourriog TIE veIl-meritst scorn Of
our countrynren,
/ whilst an ardent desire fot peace per-
/ vades me people Oftbe Confederate States.
ve rejoice to believe that there are few, il
any, among them who would purchase it
at The expense Of liberty, honor and self
respect. IF itosn be seo1rsd only by their
submission to terms of conquest, the gene
ration yet unborn must and will witness
! iss restoration. If there be any military
autoerat in the North who is entitled to
profTer the conditions of this manifest to,
there is none iu the South authorized 70
entertain them Those who control our
armies are servant. of the people, not their.
masters, and they have no more inclination
than they have the right to subvert the
social INSTITUTIONS of sovereign States, TO
! overthrow their established Constitutions
/ and TO barter away their priceless heritage
/ Of selfgoyernment."
Th- large cotton factory a, Roswell, Ga,