Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-07-26


which bad been extended to as ia a character
We had no right to assume, and had never Affect
ed to po.ses7; but the uniform declaration Qf
our Exeounse and Congress- and then thrice re-
peated, and as often repuscl attemptsto open
negotiations, furnish q sufficient pledge 10. us
that this conciaiory manifestation on the part
Of the Preeiden, Of the United States would be
met by tAem in temper Of equal magnanmity.
We had, therefore, no hesitation in declaring
that if this correspondence was communicated
10 the President OF tho Confederate States, he
would promptly embrace the opportunity pre-
sented for seeking peaceful solution Of this
unhappy strife. We feel confident that you must
share our profound regret that the spirit which
dictated the first step toward peace had not con
tuned to animate the councils Of your President.
Had the representatives of the two Governments
met te consider this question, the most moinen-
tous ever submitted TO human craftsmanship, in
temper Of becoming moderation and equity,
followed, ns their deliberations would have been
by the prayers and bonedictions Of every patriot
and Christian on the habitable globe, who is
there so bold as 10 pronounce that the frightful
waste of individual happiness and public pros
pefity which is daily saddenng the universal
heart, might not have been terminated, or Ii the
desolation and carnage Of war must still be
endured through weary years Of blood and
suffering, that there might not at least have
been infused into its conduct something more Of
the spirit which aoitens and partially redeems
| its brutalites.
Instead of tie safe conduct which VIC solicited,
and which your first letter gave us every reason
to suppose would be extended for the purpose
Of initiating negotiations in which neither
Government would compromise its rights or its
dignity, document has been presented which
proyokes as much Indignation as surprise. Ii
bears no feature of resemblance to that which
was originally offered, and is unlike any paper
/ I,-Itt k.f.r Fn.lf In
tonal Executive Of free people. Addressed
" to whom it may concern," it preoludes nego-
tRtion aud prescribes in advance the terms and
conditions Of peace Ii returns to the original
policy of " no bargaining, no negotiations, no
truces with Rebels except to bury their dead,
uutil every man shall have laid down his arms,
submitted to the Government, md sued for
mercy
Whatever may be the explanation of this sud
den and entire change in the views of the Presi
dent, of this rude withdrawal of a courteous
overture for negotiation AZ the moment il was
likely to bo accepted, Of this emphatic recall OF
words Of peace just uttered, aud fresh blasts of
war TO the bitter end, we leave for the specula-
! tiOn Of those who have the moans or inclination
to penetrate the mysteries Of his Cabinet, or
iathom the caprice Of his imperial will 1t is
enough for us to say that we have no use what
ever for tho paper which has been placed in our
| bands.
We could otiransmit ii to the President Of the
Confederate States without Offering him an indig-
nifty, dishonoring ourselves, and incurring the
1 weli-meritel scorn of our countrymen. While
an ardent desire Tor peace pervadcs the people
Of the Confederate States, we rejoice 10 believe
that there are few, if any, among them who
| would purchase il at the expense Of liberty,
honor aud respect. If it can be secured only by
their submission to terms Of conquest, the gen
/ Grafton is yet unborn which will witness Its res
| titution.
II there DO auy military autoorat in the North
WHO is entitled to proiter the conditions OF this
manifesto, there ie none in the South authorized
to entertain them. Those who foniroi our ar-
mics are the servants of the peore-nor their
masters; mud they have no more inclination,
than they have the right, to subyert the social
Institutions of the sovereign States, to overthrow
their established constitutions, and to barter
away their priceless heritage Of self government.
This correspondence viii not, however, we trust
prove wholly barren Of good result.
Ii there is any citizen OF the Confederate States
who has clung to a hope that peace was possible
with this Adm inistraton Of the Federal Govern
nent, it will strip from his eyes the las. film OF
such deusion or il there be any whose hearts
have grown faint under the suffering mud agony
of this bloody struggle, 1t will inspire them with
fresh energy TO endure and brave Whatever may
yet be requisite to preserve 10 themselves nnt
| their children all that gives dignity nnd value L
life or hope aud consolation to death. And
n there lie any patriots or christians in your lent
l who shrink appalled, from the illimitahe yr
tue of private misery aud public calamit
, which stretches before them, we pray that i
their bosoms resolution may be Quiokencd t
recall the abused authority and vindicate til
outraged civilization of their country. For III
solicitudo you have manifested to inaugurate
. movement which contcmplates results the mo.
noble and humane, we return our sincere thank,
and are most respectfully aud truly, your obc
dient servants, c. c. CLAY, Jr.
, JAMES 2. lloLcoMDE.
CLIFTON Housg, NIAGARA FALLS, I
Wednesday, July 20, 1864. I
Co.. Nj. C. JEwgTT, Cstaraei House, Nidgdr
In FdHs.
r. SIM We arc in receipt of your note admoI
% ishing us Of the departure OF the Hon. HoraC
Greeley from the Falls that he regrets the aa
N termination Of the initiatory steps taken f
"a peace in consequence of the change made
3 the President in his instructions to convey Con
mission to Washington for negotiations uu
conditonally, and thai Mr.. Greeley will be plei
sed to receive any answer we may have to max
through you.
We avail ourselves Of this offer to inclose
letter to Mr.. Greeley, which you will oblige
by delivering. We cannot take leave of yo
without expressing our thanks for your courtes
and kind Offices as the Intermediary throug
: whom our correspondence with Mr.. Greeley III
x been conducted, and assuring you that we ar
ol very respectfully, your obedent servants.
a. a O. Q. CLAY, Jr
- JAMES Z. HOLcoMpH