The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-08-03
NO PEACE.

When, last Thursday night, the tele-
graph brought word that Commissioners
from the States in rebellion were in con-
ference with the representatives Of the
President at Niagara Falls, taking pre-
liminary steps towards restoration Of
The old Union on u permanent basis and
the Inauguration of peace between the sec
tons, we felt relief and exultation Of
feeling such as we have not experienced
since the war begun. During the few
hours that interviewed between that news
and tho Fridays mail that was to confirm
or dlsspate this belief, we were building
airy pictures of the prosperity and muLu-
al good will that was to take place of the
terrorism and uncertainty which had per-
vaded all classes since the winter Of 1860
and 1861. We were among those few
who placed confidence in the effort for
peace, if made by both parties, and as
our President had taken the pains to
send a representative to Niagara Falls, in
the person of Mr. Greedy, we felt assured
that he, awakened at last to the awful
sacrifice which further prolongalion of
the war would cause, was willing to meet
the South on the middle ground of con
ference with view to settle the differ
euce with other argument than the sword;
aud we saw, too, that the President could
do this without loss of dignity; for dur
ing tho three long years that the war has
ragged, the South has proved itself our
equal in the art of war and in the sacri-
fees it has made for what it deems its sa-
cred cause. But We were disappointed.
Our castles were only airy castles which
the cold, insulting letter of Mr.. Lincoln,
addressed TO whom it may concern"
and determining before the conference,
that the abolition Of slavery was to be
the only condition of peace dissipated
like the mist before the sun. We can
not look upon this act of Mr.. Lincoln, as
the chosen head of the people, in reject
ING as he did these overtures for confer
once, us anything less than criminal-as
an act that will condemn him in the eyes
OF every one who loves his country and
the happiness of his race.
The friends Of the war may have tho't
in its beginning that the. Union was
not worth n rush without bloodshed,"
but they have had it to their hearts con-
tent, and now they cry almost with one
voice for the war TO stop. There arc
mono but the shoddy contractors and those
extreme radicals who will be satisfied with
anything short OF The entire Liberation Of
of the negro and his elevation, socially
and politically, to level with them
selves; who want the war to go on, while
from the thousands Of desolated homes,
North and South, go up prayers for
peace.
The hearts of millions were gladdened
last Thursday night with the hope that
the war, with all its horrors, was about
to be brought to IN honorable end; but
over that hope came the ghost of Abe
Lincon's last letter, and like grim visag-
ed death he revels in the miseries of the
people. The war will 90 on, more men
must be sacrificed, but thank God, the
people, in next November, will write ov-
er this administration, found wanting,"
and will consign it to lower depth of
infamy than ever tyrant sank before
Jackson Patriot, July 81.