The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1864-07-28
THE PEACE COMMISSION.

No doubt tho principle object Of the
self.appointcd rebel Commissioners
who lately opened correspondence
with Horace Greedy at Niagara Falls,
WAS to manufacture political capital
for the Coppcrhcads. The rebels havc
repeatedly said that their hopc was
In division in the North and che defeat
of Mr. Lincoln, and they look to tho
Copperheads to bring about these re-
suits. Therefore they wish to help
thom. 1t will be telling thing, they
imagine, to go before the people and
say that we might havc had peace,
that this dreadful war might have
ceased, that the rebels offered us terms,
and the tyrant at tho head Of the gov
crnment refused 10 receive tho Com
missioners or to entertain their propo-
sails. ,'H
Now, we have had, during the pro.
gress of the war, several similar at
tcmpts, on tho part of self-appointed
and unauthorized agents, to have the
Government commit itsolf to some
other peace policy than that declared
in all tho proclamations cmanating
from. tho President, viz unconditional
submission to tho authority Of the gov
ornment of tho United States. But in
no instance has there appeared a duly
accredited commissioner from the rcb
oil government with peace proposi-
tions. No government could Or should
receive any other. Mr.. Lincoln need
not havo taken any notice Of these
private commissioners, but with hi
usual kindness and desire to be under
stood by all, ho issued the following;
ExEc'T MANSION, Washington, !
July 1s, 1864. !
To uhom Il may concern:
Any proposition which embraces thu
restoration Of peace, tho integrity o
tho whole Union, and tho abandon
mcnt Of slavery, and which comes b.
and with an authority that can contro
armies now at war with tho Unite'
States, will bc received and consider
cd bv tho Executive Government q
the United States, and will be met b,
liberal terms on substantial and col
lateral points, and the bearer or boar
crs thereof shall have safe conduC
both ways
4 [Signed A. LINCOLN.
Nothing could be moro just and ger
erous. The President took no motto
Of tho individuals who were applying
for safe conduct to Washington, bu
informed all who might be conccrne'
that propositions coming from an ou
thority which could control armiC
now at war with the Govcrnmen
would be met by liberal terms. A
this the commissioners turned ava
hoping, if there were any christians
, patriots left in the North, that 81
| their bosoms q resolution may |
quickencd to reclaim tho abused n
t thority and vindicato tho outrage
0 civilization Of their country" Tn
is, that they would desert tho cause
the Government and vote with Il
/. Copperhoads.
!. These gentlemen can 60 back wi
|. q hea in their ears. They will inju
the prospects of the Copperheads |
@ coming so near the border to ASST
o thcm, The people know very w
6, on what terms the reDels can la
le peace Whenever they wantit, and th'
- will offer them no other. Duly Q
ir credited commissioners from the rel
n, Government will be received, III,
u ferson Davis expects TO hear any OF
r. or terms and offers mado to his Go
Y, crnment he must first commit hims
n. and submit his peace propositions,
He will then be answered direct
with the terms as above stated in I
"a Presidents Proclamation.