Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-08-16
lFrom The Richmond Enquirsr.l

,(From The Richmond EnqursE.l
Negotiations for Peaee.
We are much gatiied ct the opportunity which
is presented Of commenting on the recsnt efforts Of
both governments for negotations Of peaes Il ap-
pears that on the 18th inst, Mr.. George N. SAun-
ders wrote to Horace Gfeely Of the New York Trt
6uPs, asking O safe conduct of Prof Holcombe,
Hon. O. G. Clay, Of Alsbama, and himself 10 Wash
ington. Almost simultaneously . acommissioRfrom
Mr.. Lincoln, consisting of Col jacques Of Illinois,
and Mr.. hlmocs, appeared IN the nag 81 truce
boat Of fiVaFiha, and were brought TO Richmond
The correspondence between the Confederate agents
and Mr.. Greedy has already been published, and We
add this morning the concluding letter by Professor
HolcOmbe, of which only summary was Published
yesterday. - -7r, c-- nae - ..--s -
1t is not necessary to comment on the fact that
while Mr. Lincoln was rejecting the oyertures Of
Msssrs Clay and Hocombe he was secretly send
ing embassy TO- Richmond, nor will the public
sentiment of the world fail to condemn the chicane
involved in his " To Whom il May, Concern" pro-
camation. Whatever may have been the purpOrtOf
the mission OF Col Jacques and Mr. Gilmore, (not
kirk to Richmond, it has, not transPred as yet,
and, though the presence of these gentlemen was
known TO US, we did not feel authorized to allude
to it. -----
AS for the Clifton House effort at negotiations,
ehdPeroRed by Mr. Saunders, we do not believe that
gentleman holds any authority from President Da-
Wis TO initiate peace negotiations, but that his con-
nection has been entirely voluntary, Intimate with
all classes of Yankee politicians, and well yersed 10
their character Mr. Saunders doubtless undertook to
start the begotlatioas, and with great deal oftact
pressed Horace Greely into the service Of peace.-
No practical Joke that Mr. Saunders has heretofore
played of surpasseS this in wit, ingenuity and im
pudence. His telegram when Douglas delegate
at Charleston to Mr.. Buchanan, urging him to with
draw, and making Old Buck pay the expenses ofthe
telegram was not superior to this impressng OF
Greedy into the service Of the Confederacy as the
init:ator OF peace. -E
But Mr.. Lincoln will have nothing to do with any
such proceedings. he will not recognize Mr.. Hol
combe or Mr.. Clay or even Mr.. Saunders, much
as 70 reply to their application, but addresses to
"Whomit May Concern" proclamation, that if they
come "by and with authority that can control the
armies now at war with the United States, and are
prepared to submit to the restoration of the integ
rity OF the whole Union and the abandonment of
slavery" then " any" such proposition which en-
braces the restoration of peace will be "received
and considered" )" and he goes on automatically to
say that he will meet such propositions with "lber
al terms other substantial and collateral points"
and give the bearers safe conduct both ways 1t
can hardly be possible that Mr.. Lincoln sent Colonel
Jlcqucs and Mr. Gilmore to Richmond to submit
any such proposition to the. "authoIity that can
control the armies now at war against the United
ates that those gentlemen with credentials so
directed would have. been permitted to leave the
flag of truce boat The Gazette report that these
gentlemen had two interviews with "Mr. Davis
in quotations marks, as to preclude the recogni
ton Of him as President Davis-and that " Mr. Da-
Wis woad consent to nothing short of the recogni-
ton of the Oonfederacy." From our own authori-
ties nothing has been permitted to be known as to
the o.ct of this "secret mission" but it will come
out in the Yankee papers, and turn out as we ex-
pect mere electioueering trick to break the force
Of that unfortunate rejection of Mr.. Hoeombe and
Clay.
But we rejoice to see steps being taken for peace,
no matter with how much insncerity on the part
of Mr. Lincoln The fact that he has yielded to the
peace sentiment far to send two gentlemen to
Richmond, shows that the influence Of peace is as
ser;ing its sway, and that the Dictator has been
compelled to yield somewhat to it
Let US have an armistice-let tho armies be with.
drawn from the States of the Confederacy, and ne
gotiations opened, and discussion Of the terms Of
peace undertaken and if the Union can be restored
if there is any possibility of compromise the recog-
milton of the Confederate States would not stand in
the way. Ifit can be shown more to our advantage
to return to the United States it is easy matter
for the States which compose the Confederacy TO
! undo their work.
Without an armistice without the armies Of the
United States being withdrawn from territory,
without the recognition of the Confederate States
there can be no conference, no discusssion and it
remains nothing but ruinous and destructive war.
There is not citizen in the Confederacy that does
not desire most earnestly peace but there is not
that does not prefer to any cessation of hostii
ties that does not recognize our nationality. For
that we have fought, and that we viii have. That
once yielded, willing to discuss any PROPOSE
ton for reunion, restoration, or reconstruction,
for alliances, for trade, for commerce but that not
| granted, the war must continue.
| "NEGoTIATIcNs. FOR PEAcE"-We call especial
attention to the article we publish in days paper
taken from the Richmond Enquirer under the
above caption.
We invite more particular attention the follow
ing paragraph:
| !" Let us have armistice-let the armies be
withdrawn from the States of the Confederacy, and
negotiations opened and discussion of the terms of
peace undertaken; and if the Union can be re-
stored, if there is aEy possibility of compromise
the recognition Of the Confederate States would not
stand in the way. II it can be shown more to
our advantage to return to the United States, it is
an easy matter for the States which compose the
| Confederacy to undo their work."
We fully endorse the above proposition. 1t is
based on the platform upon which Valandigham,
Long, Wood, and other leading peace men of the
| North stand We feel fully convinced, that if we
can have an armistice, whether the result Of
our recognition or not aud the people of the two
sections can reason together there will be no
| more war-but that we will have peace on the
basis Of our independents and nationality. Un>
less this is dons indefinite intermnable is only
| in store for u.s. Conservative.