Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-11-16

without her consent Dy suO)uSalioi, aho
we have no power to subjugate any one
of those States, with the whole power OF
the United State at her back, prepared to |
defend her against our attacks.
: We should stand ready therefore at all
times to settle the difficulty by a reference
of the question of future alliance, to the
States, whose positions may be doubtful
for determination by them in their sover-
eign capacity.
Our Congress in ifs manifesto, has vir-
tually endorsed the great principles OF the
Georgia Resolutions, and the President
has said in his messages, that he desires
peace upon the principles to defend which
we entered into the struggle. am not
aware, however, of any direct tender of
Adjustment, upon these principles having
been recently made by the treaty making
power of our government, to the same
power in the Federal government. l re-
greet that the wish of Georgia, as expressed
through her Legislature, has not been re-
spected in this particular Such direct
tender made through commissioners. by
President Davis to President Lincoln,
would place the question fairly and pro-
perly before the States, and people of the
North, for discussion and action. Had it
been done months since, it could not have
failed to have had powerful influence
upon the Presidential election in the North
which may have much to do with the
future course and conduct of tho war.
1t may be said, however, that the pro-
position to settle our difficulties upon these
terms, made by President Davis to Presi.
dent Lincoln would be letting down Of
the dignity Of our government, and might
he construed as all evidence Of conscious
weakness on our part. | confess my ina
bilty TO see how the direct tender of set
Element upon these great and correct
principles by the treaty making power in
our government, to the like power in the
United States government, could COM
promise the dignity OF our government,
any more than all indirect tender of the
same proposition, through the irregular
channel Q. an Executive message, or a
Congressional manifesto
There is certainly more true dignity in
a direct, open, manly tender trough the
constituted channel. But nice questions
OF official etiquette and false notions OF
personal dignity, should be laid aside, when
they intervene to prevent action upon
which the blood of thousands, and the
happiness Of millions may depend.
The democratic party Of the North
which is the only party there claiming tc
maintain State rights principles, and which
has great strength and power, whatever
may be its fortunes in the coming election
has declared in favor of suspension o
hostiities, and a convention Of all the
| States, as the best means of adjustment
| And [ see no good reason why the treaty
making power in our government shon!t
not tender this proposition to the govern
ment of the United States. There cal
certainly be nothing like humiliation o
dearedation III a proposition to leave thu
settlement ola question which the genera
governments, which are The creatures O
the States, can not agree upon, to thei
creaturcs-the sovereign States them
selves.
However much the idea may be rid
cr!ed to prejudice the popular mind by til
enemies OF State sovereignty, the Convei
tiCn, if called, would no doub. be one {
TIP most able and dignitied assemhlase
t!i:t ever met upon the continent. In s
trying an emergency, involving issues {
SUCH Immense magnitude, the States woul
doubtless select their wisest, ablest an
best men to represent them, men who's
passions have been snbdned by age an
reelection, and who are alike dis,inguishe
for love OF justice, balance. of mind an
, dignity Of character Such a convention
composed of the greatest and best men
t the country, OF mature age and large e.
perIence, with the scenes of blood. ca
. mage and deso!ations through which W
| have passed, fresh in their recollectio
r and the preseut and prospective conditie
/ OF the country well known TO them, cou
5 hardly be expected to decide in favor of
3 continuation Of the war, with all its bligl
. ing effects upon both the North and Il
4 South, or adjourn without submitting
4 plan OF settlement honorable and Just
e the people Of both Confederaces, and
= all the States.
0 All Questions of boundary and in,ar
/ navi gation, and all treaties OF smity, cor
!. MERGE and alliance, and all the ..greemen
Il necessary to preserve in future the ia
d balance OF power upon the contincr
y could be properly shaped in sucE g. co
e vention and proposed to the treaty makit
S powers as the result Of its deliberations.
S Or it might be agreed in advance by Il
5, treaty making powers that the conventit
: settle the whole question, and that its a
e ton be final and conclusive when subm
ted to the people of the several States, a,
It ratified by them respectively.
}, In that event it must of course be n
h derstood that each State would enter Fl
n convention as a separate, independe
l. sovereign-the equal Of every other Sta
o and that the action of the BODY, "a
# case OF the convention which formed ii
b Constitution of the United States and
s the Confederate States, would only