Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-11-02

That policy which 1 had advised was not,
in my opinion, carried out. The party
with which we ought to have had most
intimate relations, and which was especial
| ly strong in the Northwest, was broken mp
by the Charleston Convention. l thought
it wrong; believed that the question OF
slavery in the territories was, as L have
said before, but barren issue. l stano
to night with perhaps, but few SYM
patllisers around me, but appeal from the
verdict of the present to that of the great
future, which has in its womb that which
is known only to God. One, two, or three
years hence, look back to the present hour,
and ask whether I have given bad advice
in the letter which has been condemned.
After the war broke out, still survey
ed the scene. 1t yet appeared that we
must look to division of the North. I
saw great nation in the North West, set
| tied principally by Southern men with
great river running through its immense
territory, and forming as it were a. bond
of common interest between that section
and the South. l was further aware that
the party which acted with us had its chief
seat of power in the North West. I look
ed about, therefore, for mode to accom-
pIish the great end in view. The first OPP
portunity [ saw was after the first battle
of Manassas, when, comforting with the
President of the Confederate States pro-
posed to him policy which looked to that
end. In other words, suggested that he
should propose a treaty Of peace to Mr..
Lincoln, the conditions of which should be
reciprocal free trade with the North West,
and free navigation Of the Mississippi
River secured by treaty compact. My
idea was that we should suggest to the
Northwest in the most imposing form
such terms as would reconcile the protec-
ton of their most material interest with
dissolution of the Union. That idea was
not adopted.
After the defeat OF Gen. Mcclellan in
front of Richmond, l wrote to Mr.. Benia-
min, the Secretary of State, again urging
the same policy, but still it was not adopt
ed. l thought such to be our true policy,
because it was requiring our soldiers in the
field to carry an unnecessary burden, when
a proper performance of duty by the Gov
ernment would have diminished the enc
mics with whom they had to contend.
Soon afterwards this great peace party
of the Northwest showed evidences of its
immense power. l hoped then, that some
response would be made to that party but,
fellow-citizens, what was the result p
Nothing. The Richmond press, in a large
degree, and especially all organ which had
the reputation Of being an official organ,
denounced that peace party. Referring
to its leaders, Vallandi CHAM and others, it
said, ''we respect those Abolitionists who
are led away by their tanaticism; for in
stance, such men as Wendell Phillips,
Lincoln, an others but we have contempt
and scorn for you who pretend to repre-
sent the peace men of the North. You
may crawl upon your bellies, but we will
spit upon you!" Why thus repel those
who are seeking peace?
AS an evidence of that policy of the
Richmond press and other newspapers in
the South, the Hon. Mr. Soule, Of Lou
isiana, told me that he was in the city of
New York, when an election took place,
and that placarded upon the political ban
ners and in other places were the remarks
OF the Richmond press, concerning these
peace Democrats of the North, accom-
panied with the observation, "see what
your Southern friends say of YOU" Mr.
Soule assured me that those articles from
the Richmond Enquirer, which was then
known as the official organ of our govern
ment, had produced the most injurious
effects. l will state further, that General
Adkins, of Texas, a member of Congress
told me that he was with Mr.. Valandig
ham nearly a week, and that the latte,
said to him if it had not been for the
course Of your Southern press in reference
to the peace party, Mr.. Lincoln never
could have undertaken the campaign
against Vicksburg. Your press has cost
you the death Of many of your mobiles
men," protested against that policy, ani
asked, in Gods name, why is this done
} Have we no pity for our noble soldiers
who are dying daily? Shall we try *
consolidate the North against us7 Shal
we break down the peace party, and hur
/ scorn and insult in the faces Of those WHIT
are our friends?
Well, fellow citizens, time rolled on, ane
l at the last session of Congress, severa
Senators and members thought we ough
l to try the use Of diplomacy and, to some
} extent, do what we could to divide tn,
t North, and to weaken the power of Mr.
r Lincoln. We met together, considered tn
! question and agreed upon thisprogramme
7 viz: that we would introduce resolution
: into Congress, that in the event we shout,
defeat the enemy at the two points wher
he had concentrated, the President shout
e be requested to tender to Mr.. Lincol
d propositions for the meetings of commits
E sioners to negotiate upon the subject q
r. peace. We did not expect that Mr.. Liz
l coin would agree to this proposition, be
It cause we know he is pledged never t
n cease war while he can raise man or
70 dollar; but we wanted to build up part
e behind him. Even those resolutions
e moderate as thew were failed To meet tb