The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1864-10-04
Governor Browns Reply to General Gher-
mans Negotiation Propositions.

man Ne8otlatlOn 1EOpoaltlOnS.
Al much has been said about the informal nes-
sage sent by General sherman to Governor Brown,
VAc-Presidcnt Stephens and Senator johnson, In
viting them TO visit the General in Atlanta, for
conference in reference to the state Of the country
with a view to negotiations for peace and as the
public mind has been interested upon the subject,
We copy from the Confederate fGa J Uaioa an ac-
count Of the interview with Sher,nan's messenger,
derived from Governor Brown himself:
The Governor stated that Mr.. William King, who
represented himself as the bearer Of message from
General Sherman, called upon him, and stated in
substance that General Sherman had requested him
to say to the Governor that he wond be pleased to
receive visit from him and other distinguished
oeorgians with view to conference upon the
state of the country and the settlemeAt Of our dii
culties that he would give the Governor passport
through his lines, with an escort, ifdesred, to 60
and return at such time as might be agreeable to
him, that he General Sherman) recognized him
tGoyernor BTownl as the governor OF the whole
State and one hundred mites OF the terri
tory OF tho State is behind his lines he General
Sherman) would allow the Governor to go and visit
his people in the rear If he desired to look after their
condition, and return at his pleasure that he would
receive him and other distinguished Georgians at
his headquarters, and treat them with the respect
and consideration due their Positions during the con-
ference which he invited that he did not wish to be
compelled to oyerrun and desolate Of the ter
ntory Of the State, &c.
After hearing the statements Of MIR. King, the
Governor replied
Please make to General Sherman an acknowledge
ment OF my obligation for the personal courtesies
which you say he proposes to extend h me. But as
ne Is only general commanding an atmy III the
field, and the governor of State. nesAer the con-
stituon OF his country nor OF my own eonfofs upon
US any power TO negotiate treaty Of peace We
probably hold but few sentiments in commons but if
We shsuld agree in every particular, would have
power to bind no one by any compact We might
make. AS our interview could, therefore, result in
nothing practical, must decline the invitation
While the portion Of the State now in the rear of
General SheIman's army is held by him, and the
execution OF the laws of the State suspended by
armed force, l know of service which l could
render to the people Of that section by personal
visit. 1t could better their condition, or mitigate
their sutferings, l would, their account, cheer
fully go at the expense Of any inconvenience or
personal sacrifice which the trip might cost me.
To the remark that General Sherman does not
wish to be compelled to overrun and desOlate more
of the territory OF Georgia, 1 reply that compu-
sion rests upon him to attempt this unless it be the
cruel orders of his Government. Ii he makes the
effort he will find much greater difficulties in the
way OF his advance for the next hundred miles than
those encountered during his march from Dalton to
Atlanta. Georgia may possibly be overrlin, but can
never be subJuSated, and her people will never treat
with conqueror upon her soil. As IL sovereign
State she had the uadoubted right to dissolve her
connection with the Government OF the United
states, when the compact had been violated by the
other states OF the Coniederacy, and to form new
compact, which she has done. She is as sovereign
to-day she the day she seeded from the old
Union, and has the same poweA by convention OF
her people, which she then had, to resume all dele
gated powers AMI all the attributes OK sovereignty
and then to declare Wal, negotiate treaties OF peace
and do all other acts which sovereign State may
do While tins power rests i'll her people, who are
the original source Of all sovereignty, her Consttu
tIun, formed by them, has conferred no such power
upon her Governor.
The fact must not be overlooked however, that
while Georgia possesses the sovereign power 10 act
separately, her tllth which never has, and trust,
never Will be volated pledged by strong imploa-
ton to her Southern sisters that she will not exer-
else this power without consent on their part and
concert Of action with them. In league With her
Southern sister States, she entered into this contest
with full knowledge OF all the responsibilities which
attached 10 the act and come veal Woe, she will
never withdraw from it Ill dishonor However un-
equal may he the proportion Ut suffering sacrifice
~hch her people may have to endure, she llneveI
make separate terms with the enemy which may
free her territory fiom invasion and leave her
tcderates III the luich. Whatever may be the
opinion of her people as to the injustice done her
10y the Confederate Administration, she will triumph
with her Confederate sisters, she will sink with
I them IN one common ruin. The Intelligent people
OF Georgia already understand, and enemy will
sosn learn, that the independent expression OF
demnatlon Of the errors, to stronger term
OF the Administration is thing, and dsloyalty
to our sacred cause is another, and quite different
thing While the people of Georgia think fol
themselves and will not bindly applaud the mis-
management Of their rulers, they Will never violate
principle fol- expediency, nor accept dishonor foI
reward
The foundation of our government and the hber-
ties CT the people rest upon the sovereignty Of the
States their chief stone. Destroy the
sovereignty of the States, and the whole fabric fall
to the ground and Centralized power, witt; military
deSpoism, takes the place OF constitutional liberty
When THE passions vi the people North and South
have sufficiently subsiled, may make peace by
negotiation, but never by the sword.
Ii Mr. Lincoln would have peace and prosperity
re-esablished upon firm basis, let him stop the
war; and planting himself upon the principles Of tls
Declaration Of Independence Of 1916 let him re-
cognize the sovereignty OF the States and agree tc
leave each sovereign State to determine for herself
by convention OF her people, whose delegates shall
be fairly chosen by the legal voters OF the State
without military interference or intimidation, wha
shall be her future eonnecton-whether she will re
main in, If out, return to the old Union, ad
here to her present league.
There may be doubts whether Kentucky, Mis-
sori, and probably other States, desire to continue
their connection with the United States, to cas-
their lot with the Confederate States. The only jus
mode OF solving these doubts Is the one above nd
Gated. II these any other Of the Southern States
shoud in solemn convention, decide to go with tn,
United States, neither the Confederate Government
nor the other States can object. We cannot govern
Kentucky, for instance, against her WILL unless ",
can subJugate her. Tins We have no power to do
with the Northern States at her back; and if W,
had the power, We have no right TO eoeTce sover
choice. 1t this were done, must, III future, gov
ern her people by the bayonet which would conver
our repubhcansm into the worst species of mitar,
despotisn. So it must be with the North if Mr.
Lincoln should succeed in his policy of conquer
ing
If we were overrun, and for a time subdued, oul
territory is vast in extent, and population
large, that it would take regular army OF two hun
dred thousand men to govern and hold in subjec
tion. The support OF such an army would not only
continue the country III bankruptcy, but, in the
hands Of the Executive it would be used to sub
vert even the form OF the government and changt
1t from republic to monarchy. Thus to destroy
our liberties must cost the Northern people then
own and the republlcanism of America must az
future, be reproach and by-word among all ma
tons.
Ii President Lincoln and President Davis VIII
agree to stop the and transfer the settlement
the issues from the battlefield TO the ballot-box
leaving each sovereign State to determine for her
self what shall be her future connection, and whs
her future allies the present devastation, bioodshet
anu carnage Will cease, and peace and prosperity will
be restored to the whole country.
On the other hand, if this is not done, the will
last for years to come till both sides are exhausted
and overwhelmed with. debt and taxation, when i,
may degenerate INTO a guerrilla strife, the end OF
which may not be seen by the present generation,
and the hate engendered by which will last through
many future generations.
Neither General Sherman nor IL can control this
however much We may deplore it.
II those on both sides who have the constitutional
power oil negotiation, from obstnaey OF ambition
refuse to recognize the sovereignty of the States
and to leave the settlement Of the question to the
States when they cannot themselves agree, and in-
sist continual etusion OF blood to crafty theii
caprice all the States North and South, their soy
creign capacity, may then be lustitable Ill taking
the matter into their hands and settling it, at
sovereigns, in their own way.
W.. m