Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1864-10-07

lron AL attempt TO do this prepOSterOuS
thing. Superior power may compel
Union OF some sort, but it would not BIO
the Union of the old Constitution or of our
newt would be that sort of union that
results from despotism. The subiugation
OF the people Of the South by the people
OF the North, would necessarily involve
the destruction Of the Constitution and the
overthrow OF their liberties as we'll as ours.
The men or the party at the North to
whom you refer, who favor peace, must be
brought to full realization of this truth in
all Its bearings, before their efforts will re-
suit IN much practical good: for any peace
growing out of u Union of States establish
ed by force, will be as ruinous to them as
us. The action of the Chicago Conven-
ton, so far as its platform of principles
goes, presents as | have said on another
occasion, a ray oflight which under Prov
:dence may prove the dawn of day to this
long and cherries night. The first ray of
light | have seen from the North since the
war began. This cheers the heart and to-
wards it [ could almost have exclaimed
Hail, holy light, offspring of Heaven first born,
Or OF the eternal co-eternal beam,
May express thee unbalanced since God is light
mdee' could quite so haze exclaimed
but for le sad reelection that whether it
shall brig healing in its beams or be lost
in dark aid oninous eclipse ere its good
work he -ne, depends so much upon the
action of others who may not regard it
and view it as | do. SO at best it is but
ray-small and tremulous ray-cnough
only to gladden. the heart and quicken
hope.
The prominent and leading idea of that
Convention seems to have been a desire
to reach a peaceful adjustment of our
present difficulties and strife through the
medium Of a conVocatioh Of the States
They propose to suspend hostilities to SEQ
what can be done, if anything, by Ecgc-
tiation of some sort. This is one step in
the right direction. To such Convention
of the States I should have no objection
as peaceful conference and Interchange
OF views between equal and sovereign
Powers uSt as the Convention of 1877
was called and assembled. The properly
constituted authorities at Washington and
Richmond, the Only authorized Rcpresen-
tatiVes of the two Confederacies of States,
now at war with each other, might give
their assent to such proposition. Good
might result from it, 1t would be an APP
peal on both sides from the sword to rea-
son and justice. All wars which do not
result in the extinction or determination
of one side or the other must be ended
sooner or later by some sort of negotia-
ton. From the discussion and interchange
OF views in such a Convention, the history
as well the true nature of our institutions
f4-f ~ rn1 ~ tba ToS IL,
other and towards the FedcrativC Head
wodld doubtless be much better under
stood generally than they are now. But |
should favor such proposition only as a
peaceful conference as the Convention Of
1877 was. should be opposed to leaving
the question at isoTo TO the absolute dcGis-
ion Of snch body. Delegates might be
clothed with powers to consult and agree
if they could upon some plan of adjust
ment to be submitted for subsequent rati
tication by the sovereign States whom it
affected, before it should be obligatory or
binding, and then binding only on such as
should 80 ratify. 1t becomes the people
of the South us well as the people of the
North to be quite as watchtui and Jealous
OF their rights rs their common ancestors
were. The maintenance Of Liberty in all
ayes, times and countries, when and where
it has existed, has required not only con-
slant vigilance ard jealousy but has often
required the greatest privations and suffer
ingS and sacrifices that people or States
are ever subjected TO. Through such an
ordeal we arc now passing. Through a
like and even seVerer ordeal our ancestors
passed in their struggle for the principles
which it has devolved upon us thus to de-
fend and maintain. But great as our suf-
ferings and sacrifices have been and are TO
which you allude, they are as yet far short
of the like sutferingS and sacrifices which
our fathers bore with patience, courage
and forttude in the crisis that tried mems
souls in their day. These are the virtues
that sustained them in their hour Of need.
Their illustrious and glorious example bids
Us not to underestimate the priceless in
cost of treasure and blood. Great as are
the odds we are struggling against, they
are not greater than those against which
they successfully struggled.
In point of reverses, our condition is
not to be compared with theirs. Should
Mobile, Savannah, Charleston, Augusta,
Macon, Montgomery, and even Petersburg
and Richmond fall, our condition would
not then be worse or less hopeful than
theirs was in the darkest hour that rested
on their fortunes With wisdom on the
part of those who control our destiny in
the cabinet and in the field, in husband
ing and properly welding our resources
at their command, and in securing the
hearts and the affections of the people in
the great cause of Right and Liberty tor
which We are struggling, we could suffer
all these losses and calamities, and greater
even, and still triumph in the end. AT
present, however, | do rot see as | stated
in the outset, that you, or l, or any number
ofpersons in our position can do anything
IL rds In nc1ro inc any .,,nuarn emf