Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-10-20
From the Confederate Union.

saoe sent by Gen. Sherman to Gov Brown Vice Pres
ident Stephens aud enator Johnson inviting them to
visit the General in Atlanta, Tor contee nee IN refer
ence to the state oil the country with view to nego-
tistions for peace, and as the public mild hes been
much excited upon the subject some saying that it Is
the duty of these gentlemen to accept the Generals IN.
vitation and make effort to settle our dcuitles o
neaotiaon others contendng that 1t was the duty OF
the Goyernor to have seized the Generals messenger
and ordered him hung as traitor we have tor the graf
i6cAtion of own and the curiosity OF our read
called upon the Governor, and enqueo alter tne
| facts
The Governor ir reply to our enquiries, stated that
Mr. VIM King, who represented himself as the bearer
of message from Gen. Sherman, called upon him. ano
stated in substance that Gen. Sherman had requested
him to say to the Governor that he would De pleased
to receive q visit from him and other distinguished
Georgians. with view to conference upon the state
of the country and the settlement OF cur dhcuitles
that he would give the Governor a passport through
bis lines with escort if desired to 60 and return at
such time as might be agreeable him, that he (Gen
Sherman) recognized him (Governor Brown as dover'
nor of the whole State, and az over an hundred miles
of the territory of the ate s now behind his Ines be
(Gen. would allow the Governor to go and visit his
people in the rear if he desired to lock after their
dition and return at his pleasure that be would re-
ceiye him and the other distinguished Georgaos at bis
heaGu and them with the respect and con-
sderaton due their positions during the conference
which be nvited-that be did not wish to be compelled
to and desoate more of the territory oil the
| State, &C.
After hearing the statements of Mr.. King, the Gov
| ernor replied:
Please nuke to Gen. Sherman an acknowledgement
of my obligation for the personal coureses which you
say be proposes to extend to me- But as he IS only
General commanding an army in the field, and tie
Governor of State, neither the Constitution of his
country o. my own, confers upon any power TO
negotiate treaty of peace. We probably hold but few
sentiments in common, but if should agree in every
particular; would have power to bind one by any
compact we might make. AS our interview could
n
invitation. While the portion of the State low in the
Of Gen. Shermans army is held by him, and the
execution OF the laws OF the State suspended by armed
force know of no service which could r5nder to the
people of that section by personal visit. If could
better their condition mitigate their suf7rings
would their account, cheerfuy 60 at the expense of
any Inconvenience or personal sacrifice which the trip
might cost me.
TO the remark that General Sherman does not wish
to be compelled to overrun and desoate of the
territory OF Georgia. reply that c'mpnlsion rests
upon HIM to attempt this unless it be the cruel orders
OF bis government II be makes the effort, be will find
much greater difficulties 10 the way OF his advance for
the hundred miles than those encountered during
bis march from Dalton to Atlanta. Georgia may pos
sibly be overrun, bu: never be subjugated, and
her people will never treat with oonqueror upon her
SOIL AS sovereign State, she had the undoubted right
to dissolve her connection with the government OF the
United States when the compact had been violated by
the other States of the Confederacy and to form
compact, which she has done. She is sovereign to-
day she the day she coded from the old UnIon,
and has the same power by Convention OF her peo-
pla which che then had all delegated powers,
and all the attributes of sovereignty, and then to de-
clace war; negotiate treaties of peace, and do all other
acts which sovereign State may do w bile this
power rests in her people, who the original source of
all sovereignty, her Constitution formed by them, has
conferred no such power upon her Governor
The fact must not be overlooked, however, that
while Georgia possesses the gn power to act
separa ey her faith, which has, and trust
will be violated, is pledged by strong implication to
her Sou bern sisters, that she will not exercise this
power without consent their part and concert of
action with them. In league with her Southern aister
States, she entered into this contest with full know
ledge of all the responsibilities which attached to the
act and come veal woe, she will withdraw
from it in dishonor However quail may be the pro-
portion Cf suffering sacrifice which her people may
have TO endure she will make separate terms with
the enemy which may free her territory I'm invasion
and leave her Contederaes In the luGch. w batever
may be the opinion Of Ter people to the injustice
done her by the Confederate administration she will
triumph with her Confederate sisters, she will sink
with them in common ruin. The intelligent peo-
pie OF Georgia, already understand, and our enemy
will learn, that the independent expression of
demnation of the errors to stronger term, of the
administration, is thing, and dsloyaty to our
cred cause is another, and quite different thing
While tie people of Georgia think for Themselves and
will not bliudly applaud the Encouragement of our ru
lers, they will never violate principle fr expedency
nor expect dshonCr for reward.
The foundations OF our government a1d the liberties
OF the people, rest upon the sovereignty OF the otates
their chef stone. Destroy the sovereignty
of the States and the whole fabric falls to the ground
and centralized power With military despotism, takes
the place of constitutional liberty.
When the passions of the people North ard South
have sufficiently sided we may make peace by ne
gotatiop, but never by the sword.
If Mr.. Lincoln would have peace and prosperity re-
established upon firm basis, let him sop the war; and
planting himself upon the principles the Declaration
of Independence of l776, let him recognize the SOW
ereiguty of the States and agree to leave each
ereign State to determine for herself, By Convention
Of her pe whose delegates shall be fairly chosen by
the legal voters of the State, without military interter.
intimidation what shall be her future connecs
tion-whether she will remain 10, if out, return to
the old Union, or adhere to the present league.
There may be doubts whether Kentucky Missouri,
and probably other States desire continue their con
necton with the United States to cast their lot
with the Confederate States The org just mode of
solving these doubts, s the above Indicated. II
these or any other Of the Southern States should ia
solemn Convention, decide to 60 with the United
States, neither the Confederate government nor the
other States can object We cannot govern Kentucky
for instance against her will, unless We can subjugate
her. This, Wa have power to do with the Northern
States at her back and if we had the power have
right to sovereign State into connection
which s not of her choice. II this were DONE we
must, in future, govern her people by the bayonet,
which would convert repubcanism into the worst
species of mil ary spotism So it must be with the
North il Nj. Lincoln should succeed bis policy of
conquering Us.
If We were overrun and for time subdued our ter
rtory is vast n extent, and population large
that would take regular army of two hundred thou
sand to govern and hold in subjugation. The
support of such army would not only continue the
country in bankruptcy, but in the hands of the Execu
tive it would soon be used to subvert even the form of