Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-08-13
SOME WORDS ON PEACE AND WAR,
A statement by Mr.. Horace greeley.

ing statement regarding the recent peace ne
gotiations. Some of the facts presented are
not new to the public, but that they may
know the construction which Mr.. GREELEY
puts upon them we give his statements entire:
Last week was signalized by two efforts to
initiate negotiations with view to the paci-
hcation of our country. The more impor-
portant of these had Richmond for its arena.
Mr.. j. r. Gilmore-more widely known as
Edmund Kirke, author of g Among the
Pines paid an unofficial visit to Richmond,
accompanied by Rev. Col. james F. Jaques,
of the Seventy-third Illinois, and had a IA
miliar interview with jefferson Davis and
several of his Lieutenants. They went with
the full knowledge of the President intent
on devising or discovering some ground of
accommodation and adjustment between the
belligerents now devasting the Republic, and
appear to have been treated with signal
courtesy, and even generous hospitality, but
had no success. Mr.. Gilmore gives the net
product of the unofficial mission in this pi-
quaint passage.
Jefferson Davis said to me last Sunday,
and, with all his faults, | believe him a man
of truth: :" THIS lrar must go on TIL the tasto
this generation faLs IN his tracks, and his chill
dren seize his n,lsket and fight our battles, unless
you acknowledge oar right Of selfgovermaea.-
We are not fighting for Slavery Weare fight
ing for independence; and that or determination,
are aciH hdUe.'"
Mr. Davis, believe, has not yet acknowl-
edged the right of hrs black countrymen to
self-government" or independence" either
Nor does he acknowledge the right of North
Carolina to seeede from his confederacy, and
thus disconnect herself from a rebellion into
which she was precipitated by the grossest
frauds. The Unionists of the South were
conceded no right but apostacy, on peril of
determination by Davis and his uphOlders.-
Yet he, doubtless, is fighting for "independ-
ence"-fOr freedom to impose chains on half
the people of the Slave States, and to reign
as autocrat over the residue. "Independ-
ence" is to him power, state, luxury, import
ance; but to the undistinguished many, even
of whites, under his sway, it is quite other
than these. We may safely assume that he
will make no peace that restores the Union,
so long as there is a possible alternative
Yet the Gilmore-Jaqu mission is no failure,
! thougfrit resulted but in demonstrating this.
In the other effort for peace, was partci-
pant, as follows:
Some time since, it was announced by tel
egraph from Halifax that Messrs. c.. @. Clay,
of Alabama; jacob Thompson, of Mississippi,
(Ex-United States Senators j Prof j. P. HOl-
combe, of the Univei sity of Virginia, and
Geo. n. Sanders, of Kentucky, had reached
that city from Dixie, via Bermuda, on impor
tant business; and all of these, but Mr..
Thompson, (who is in Toronto,) were soon
quartered at the Clifton, on the Canada side
of Niagara Falls. heard sooE after of con-
fidential interviews between some or all of
these gentlemen and leading Democrats from
our own and the neighboring States, and
there were telegraphic whispers of overtures
for reconstruction" and conditions were
IL ,..al, %I,ar ed
Z would consent to reunion. Il cannot say
that any of the reports were authentic.) At
length, after several less direct limitations, |
received private letter from Mr.. Sanders,
stating that Messrs. Clay, HolcOmbe, himself,
and another, desired to visit Washington,
"upon complete and unqualified protection
being given by the President or the Secre-
tary of War"
As | saw no reason why the Opposition
should be the sole recipients of these gentle
mems overtures, if such there were, land it is
stated that Mr.. Clay aforesaid is preparing or
is to prepare an important letter to the Chi
cago Convention Twrote the President, urg-
ing him to invite the rebel gentlemen afore-
said to Washington, there to open their bud
get. l stated expressly that | knew not
what they would propose if so invited, but
could imagine no offer that might be made
by them which would not cOnduce, in one
way or another, to restoration of the integ-
rity and just authority of the Union.
The President ultimately acquiesced in this
! view so far as to consent that the rebel
agents should visit Washington, but directed
that | should proceed to Niagara and accom-
pany them thence to the capital. This SER
vice l most reluctantly undertook, feeling
deeply and observing that almost any one
else might better have been sent on this err
rand. But time seemed precious, and i'm
mediately started.
Arrived on this side of the Falls, l wrote
across to Messrs. Clay & Co., stating that, on
the understanding that they had the needful
| powers from the authorities at Richmond,
was authorized and ready to give them safe
conduct to Washington. They responded
| that, though in the confidential employment
| of their Government, and fully conversant
with its views and purposes, they had not the
| specific powers | required, but would get
them, if permitted and desired-in order to
save time-to proceed at once to Washing
ton, and be permitted thence to communicate
with Richmond for the purpose. Not feeling
at liberty to concede this, telegraphed to
| Washington for further instructions, and was
duly informed that Maj. Hay, the Presidents
| private Secretary, would soon be on his way
to me. He reached the Falls on the goth,
/ anu We SOOD GEOSStu OfcE W Tic O1lIlOlt,
where Maj. Hay, after mutual introductions,
| handed Prof. Holcombe the following paper,
in the handwriting of the President:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, WAsHINGToNl
July Is, 1864.
To acltOna It may concern:
Any proposition which embraces the resto-
ration of peace, the integrity of the whole
| Union, and the abandonment of Slavery, and
which comes by and with an authority that
can control the armies now at war against
| the United States, will be received and con-
sidered by the Executive Government of the
United States, and will be met by liberal
terms on substantial and collateral points !;
and the bearer thereof shall have safe con-
duct both ways ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
| left the Falls by the next train, leaving
| Major Hay to receive any response to the
Presidents proffer, should any be made but
there was none. Messrs. Clay and Holcombe
addressed to me letter of sharp criticism
on the Presidents proffer above quoted,
which l first read in the columns of the daily
journals of this city. And here the matter
closed, despite all rumors of further or other
negotiations. Messrs Clay, Holcombe and
Sanders remain at the Falls, or at the ada
cent watering-place of st. GATHERINGS, and
are still in the receipt of many visits from
Democratic politicians, who cross the border
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