Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-08-04
tFrom the NJ Y. rnaepsuavu.i
SOME WORDS ON WAR AND
PEACE. \
BY HORACE GREELEY

the acifcation of our country. The more
important Of these had Richmond for its
arena. Mr.. j. Il. Gilmore-more widely
known as Edmund Kirko," author of
Among the Pines"-paid an unofficial visit
to Richmond, accompanied by Rev. Col.
James Il. Jaaues. ot tho 73d Illinois, and
had familiar interview with Jefferson
Davis and several of his Lieutenants. They |
went with the full knowledge OF the Presi-
dent, intent on devising or discovering some
ground Of accommodation and adjustment
between tho belligerents now devasting the
Republic, and appear to have been treated
with signal courtesy, and even generous
hospitality, but had no success. Mr.. Gil.
more gives the net product of the unofficial
mission in this piquant massage:
Jefferson Davis said to me last Sunday,
land, with all his faults, believe him to be
a man of truth): This ,oor must 90 on till
the tqa Of this generation falls in his tracks,
and his children seize his masiet and foht
our battle, unless you acknowledge our right
to selfgorernmeni. We are not fqhting for
Slarery. Weare. fighting for Independence
and that, or determination, zoe wiU haze. >"
Mr.. Davis, believe, has not yet ac-
knowledged the right Of his black country
men to 'se!fgovernment" or ''indepen-
dence' either. Nor does he acknowledge
the right Of North Carolina to secedc from
his confederacy, and thus disconnect herself
from a rebellion into which she was pre-
cipitated by the grossest frauds The I'm
ionists of the South were conceded no right
but apostacy on peril of extermination by
Davis and his upholders. Yet he, doubtless,
is fighting for independence" free.
dom to impose chains on half the people Of
the Slave States and to reign as autocrat
over the residue. "Ihdependence" is to
him power, State, luxury, Importance: but
to tho undistinguished many, even of
! Whites, under his sway, it is quite other
than these. We may safely assume that he
will make M peace that restores the Union,
! 50 long as there is a possible alternative
Yet the Giltnote-J Jaques mission J., no failure
though it resulted but in demonstrating this.
In the other effort for Peace, was par
! tioipant, as follows: h''A
Some time since, il was announced by
telegraph from Halifax that Mcssrs q. G.
Mississippi, (ex-U s. Senators), Prof j.
ginia, and Geo. N. Sanders. of Kentucky,
had reached that city from Dixie, ri;a Ber,
muda. on important business and all of
these but Mr.. Thompson (who is in Toron,
to) were soon quartered at the Clifton, on
the Canada side of Niagara Falls. l heard
soon after Of confidential interviews betwesu
some or all of these gentlemen and Leading
Democrats from our own and the noighboT.
ing States oEd there were telegraphis
whispers Of overtures for reconstruction, u
and cofiitions were set forth as sthosef on
which tho Conftderates would conseht te
reunion. | cannot say that any of these
reports were authentic) At length, after
several less direct intimations, received Q
private letter from Mr. Sanders, stating tha
Mcssrs. Clay, Holcombe. himself and an
other, desired to visit Washington, "uper
complete and unqualified projection being
given by the President OF the Secretary o
War"
As saw no reason why the Opposition
should be the sole recipients of these gentle
mems overtures, if such there we're, tan,
it is stated that Mr.. Clay aforesaid is pre-
pairing or to prepare an important letter t.
the Chicago Convention / wrote the Pres
ident, urging him to invite the Rebel gen
tlemcn aforesaid to Washington, there t.
open their budget. stated expressly tha
| knew not what they would propose if s.
, invited, but could Imagine no offer tina
might be made by them which would no
COUuuCt, III OHc way UT uHDtHcT, 10 u fcStOrd
tion Of the integrity and just authority O
: the Union. ..' g''...
The President ultimately acquiesccd il
7 this view so far as TO consent that the Rebe
agents should visit Washington, but direct
: ed that 1 should proceed to Niagara and nc
company them thence to the Capital Thi
. service ] most reluctantly undertook, fee
; ing deeply and observing that almost an
one else might better have been sent on thl
errand But time seemed precious, and
Immediately started.
Arrived on this side of the Falls, wrot
4 across to Nlessrs. Clay Il Co., stating thai
on the understanding that they had til
need!ul powers from the authorities at Ricl
! mond, | was authorized and ready to civ
u them Safe Conduct to Washington. The
!, responded that, though in the confidentii
employment of their government, and full
=. convcrsant with its views and purposes, the
:, hid not the specific powers required, hu
u woui; rot them, il permitted, aud desire
, i'm order to save time-to proceed ut ono
u to Washington ard be permitted thence I
$ communicate with Ric hmond for the pI
: pose. Not feeling at liberty to c)ncede thi:
l telegraphed to Washington for further ii
structions, and was duly informed that Ma
Hay, the Presidents Private Secretar,
!. would soon be on his way to me. He ereact
T cd the Falls on the 10Th, and we soon eros
! ed over to the Clifton, where Major Hay
!. after mutual introduc,ions, handed Prot
> Holcomte the following paper, in the hanc
y writing Of the President: ..Ht
.. Executive MANSION. |
). WASH NGroN, July 18th, 1864.
n To phom ,t may concern!
|, Any proposition which embraces the n
4 storation of peace, the integrity of tn
. whole Union, and the abandonment of sla,
. cry, and which comes by and with an au
thority that can control the armies now a
: war against the United States, will be re
ceived and considered by the Executiv
Government of the United States, and wi
be met by liberal terms on substantial an
= collateral points; and the bearer thereo
= shall have safe conduct both ways.
J ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
= I left the Falls by the next train, leavin
4 Major Hay to receive any response to tn
a Presidents proffer, should any be made
. but there was none. Messis. Clay an
? Holcombe addressed to me letter Of shar