Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1864-07-26

was Horace Greeley, one Of the founders Of
the Republican party aud it's acknowledged
oracle. -.-.-.--.--.-.---.--.-
# appears from the correspondence
which has been published that two distin-
guished citizens of the Southern Confeder-
acy, Hoo. Clement G. Clay, Of Alabama,
and j. B ualeomb, of Virginia, met Hor-
ace Greeley at the Clifton House, Niagara
Falls, and that certain propositions for
peace were transmitted between the two
nations. The rebel commissioners or
agents we're not officially endowed with
power to negotiate terms Of peace, but
their relations with the Confederate au-
thorities were Of such character as to
leave little doubt but that their proposition
would be endorsed by their government
while Greeley acted as the duly appointed
agent OF President Lincoln.
TIE rebel commissioners proposed the
following propositions az the terms upon
which the Confederate States wouli con-
| sent to a restoration of peace aud the Un-
ion:
lst. All negroes which have been &C.
tuslly freed by the war, to be secured in
such freedom.
I'd. All negroes at present held as slaves
! to remain 81.
Sd. The War debts Of both parties to be
paid 10y the United States.
4th. The ODD doctrine of State rights to
be recognized in reconstructing the Un'
/ ion"
Mr. Greeley teleGrsphs these terms tc
Mr.. Lincoln. who refuses to accept them
but replies, saying what he will accept. to
wit:
'aEbe full and complete restoration of the
Union in ell territorial Integrity ths
abandonment of slavery by the seeded
States, under conditions which should
while respecting the property rights o.
all loyal men, afford ample security g.
gainst another war Id the interest Of slav
cry"
| Upon the reception Of Mr.. Lincoln
note, the negotiations were brought to {
close, and Messrs. Clay and Hslcomb re
turned South, not however, until they hsC
replied in o Dots to the Presidents extra
ordinary proposition deprecating the I'm
fortunate termination of the interview snc
remsrking that they could not transmit
the proposition of Mr.. Lincoln to tbei
President without offending him and msr
ting the scorn OF their ccuntrymen. The,
said 90 ardent desire for peace prevail
among the people Of the Confederate State
but that they would not purchase it o
the expense of liberty, honor and self res
poet.
Thus, for the present, has Terminates
the effort to restore the Union as it was
aud TO stop the terrible and devastating
conflict that is rapidly reducing our cuun
try to wilderness. ana destroying tn
lives of our people by thousands and ten
of thousands.
We do not say that we would approve O
the terms Of peace advanced by the South
ern commissioners, but we con not discoy
er anything very unjust or uursasonabl
IN them.
But relative to the terms set forth b
President Lincoln, there can be but on
opinion. He proposes propositions direc
ly foreign to our constitution, subvergi1s {
State rights and the priceless heritage {
self government. He openly avows wbs
the Democrats and genuine Union men c
De country have always charged, that th
war, as waged at present. is war purel
and simply to abolish slavery. and not
war for the RESERVATION Of the Union.
Hence, upon the Administration and til
Abolition party rests the terrible responsi
bility of this war Who can doubt if VI
had had Democratic President but thu
peace long ago would have dawned upo
our afflicted land and that the Union woul
have been restored in oil its wonted great
ness.