Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-07-30

,ha, thi, eoncilia,ory manifestation on the
part of the President Of the United States,
would be met by them 10 stcmper ol equal
magnapimity.
awe had, .beriore, no hesitation in de-
claring that II this correspondence was
communicated to the President Of chs Con
federetc States, he would promptly en-
brace the opportunity presented, for seek
ing a peaceful solution Of this unhappy
strife.
1--WE feel confident you mnst share our
profound regret that the spirit which die
tated the FIRST step toward peace hdd not
continued to animate the cosnscls Of your
President. Had the representatives OF
two Governments met to consider this
question the most momentous ever sub
mitted to hunan States manship, in tenn
per of becoming moderation and equality,
followed as their deliberations would have
been by the prayers and benedictton of
every patriot and Christian on the habita.
Bile globe, Who is there so bold as to
pronounce that this irightful waste Of in
dividual happiness and public prosperity
which is daily saddeniDg the universal
heart, might not have been terminated, or
if the desolation or damage Of war must
still be endured through weary years of
blood and suffering that there might not
at least have been infused into its conduct
something more of the spirit which softens
and partially redeems its brutality
'Instcad Of the safe conduct which We
solicited and which your FIRST letter gave
US every re1son to suppose would be ex-
tended for the purpose of initiating nego.
titatioh n which neither Government would
compromise its rights oa its dignity, doc
ument is presented which provokes as much
indignation as surprise. It bears no fea-
turo of resemblance to that which was
originally offered, and as unlike any paper
which ever before cmanated from q oonsti-
tutional Executive of free people, ad-
dressed TO whom it may concern.' 1t
preeludes negotiations aud Frescribes in
advance the terms and conditions Of peace
|. returns to the original policy of no bar.
gaining, no negotiations, no ,ruces with
rebels, except to bury their dead, until
every man shall ave 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 views
of the President, Of this rude Withdrawal
of courteous overture for negotiation, al
q moment when it was likely to be accept.
ed, oil this emphatic recall Of words o.
peace just uttered and fresh threats Of wal
10 the bitter end, we leave TO further spec
ulaton Of those who have the means OF
inclination to penetrate the mysteries O.
bis Cabinet or fathom the caprice Of hi.
imperial will. 1t is enough for us to say
that We have no use, whatever, for th,
paper which has been placed in our hands
We coald not transmit it to the Presiden
Of the Confederate States without offeriD.
him an indignity, dishonoring ourselves
and mourning the well.merited scorn o
our countrymen.
Whilst an ardent desire for peace per
vades the people OF the Confederate States
We rejoice to believe that there are few, j
any, among them who would purchase i
at the expense OF liberty, honor and self
respect. If it can be scored only by theil
submission to terms of conquest, the gene
ration yet unborn must and will witness
its restoration. If there be any military
autocrat 10 the North who is entitled tC
pgoffer the conditions of this manifest to
there is mono in the South authorized tc
entertain them Those who control oul
armies are servants of the people, not Their
masters, and they have no more inclnato,
than they have the right to subvert tn,
social institutions of sovereign States, tc
overthrow their established Constitution
and to barter away their priceless heritage
OF sclfs sovernment.'
The battle Of the Chickahominy was al
cxnetiment mnde for n specifc purDoses-