Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-08-24
From the Conf dSrate.]

1t is very easy matter to draw the line on which
fair and legitimate propositions may be made, on
which rightful opinions may be held, and on which
full discussion may be had. 1t was not always
wise, but it was never criminal to express q wish
for peace-to urge ~ government to make every
effort to commence negotiations for peace This
was not always wise, because up to very late Pc
riod the enemy had shown no inclination whatev-
er to listen to any terms, except the humiliation
Of an atiect submission. Neither the Federal gov.
ernment nor the yankee people had given promise
of any inclination for other terms. Until late
period, too, the fortunes Of the war svaried; and
though the true, brave, patriot spirit looked assn
redly for final success it was obliged to nerve it.
self for the endurance of much trial and danger in
order to its achievement Last summer and fall,
when the peace cry in North Carolina was most
inopportuns and inappropriate period for such de-
monstration. Then, the balance of the success
was with the north. Disaster had settled heavily
upon as, and the cry for peace in such time, was
like the cry of enough" by the beaten puglst when
be gives up the fight So far from operating well,
the natural effect Of such q cry at that tine was
to stimulate orr foes to inspire nsnimity in their
cousels to strengthen their energies, and to make
: their demands more excrti;ant and more inpera
tive:
That such effects were produced, abundant testi-
mo " has beel sfordsd. Now, however, after
canpaign of uninterrupted success; after whole
sol.e legislation by Congress which has revived
our sffaus after succession of glocnly and ds
spending reve.ses Sustained by enemies, it was
not utis that Tn effort at suspension of hostili-
tes at aru.istice and negotiation should be earn
estiy made The time had become appropriate,
ano the evidence Of this illness is seen in the
,trcng and contl1ned evidences Of the favJrite
sldvraticn of .JffeEs 1t is true 80 far as Nj.
Lincoln has spoken, he has Pat down broad,
lat foot upon the efforts to negotiate; but Mr.
II, Is, not r. kau loot f,t1 He c If
The head of gogenment victorious by its arulies,
and in attitude 70 command terms. BE is cot pos
,essed nov Of power for the length Of terul il Cad
hen. Tie sands in his glass are running ous ard
.bou; him, in from, on his h4l&s and IN fs reas:
are Influences the opposite CT mis-, which ar grown
% strength by the earnest and successful blows
.-hica ws have stricken, so that thei: potency IS
recognized end make itsa!f felt To help these
nf ences IN a acudsnt and sagaci6ls manner, IS
beta righ. and proper.
So far as the peace movement contemplated an
active, constant and energetic assistance 70 the
government in bringing abou. negotiation it never
could ba criminal, however at tunes it might be
Ilnpo!i.ic and anaoy;ng. BIZ: the crinina!ity OF
this whole affair has consisted simply in tAis-thst
in some csses really disoyal men who coveted the
faltre of cur arms and cause whose allegiance had
nsver been given to the government; who SILL
looked With reverence on the ancient nag now o!s
gracc-l in the hands of our invaders, and who
. ionged for some opportune moment when terms
q. could be made with the Lincoln government on the
basis Of surrenderng the Southern nationality, start
ed peace movements 10 delude the people and to ef
! feet tneir objec1s.
Ctile. men, ambitious politicians, and wlthal up
! scrupulsus, Trough they had led the way in the
coniinencensnt and promised largely towards the
support Of the war to final separation, began TO
SUSPECT that The people were becoming wesrled oi
the trials and hardshps, and ready to jump to any
terms Offering hopes Of peace; and they seized on
PEACE as booby, without in the first place, caicu
lating now far out of the path of patriotism they
might be led. By degrees, however, when theii
conduct came to be criticised and censureo they al
once began to use hatred of the national govern
! ment, commenced to threaten and denounce 1t; 70
msreprescut its ACTION, and 50 array It before ths
popular bar as to. destroy the confidence oil the
people in its integrity, ard prepare them to ioos
elsewhere than to the prescribed and leglt'matts (
sources for obtaining that peace when tney oes''e
Ia this way came about the plan OF separate
State action through the power oi ths Peoplen'
plan which would have sought to Withdraw III
North. Carolina forces from the Held to turn ae!l
on the Confederacy-which plan would nave soug"
an alliance from the enemy, and looked to the re
construction Of the Federal Union for North'Caro
lima. l..
been distinctly proved, and any amount CT test
monv TO this effect can now be produced. All tni
and mich more that was published in th7 papers
and resolved in meetings, aud spoken on the s'ree'
| and on the stump, vas seditious and criminal
! Ard ne e,eip consists the crmina!ty.
! But all this we have discussed, and eur opinion
! are before the public. We are content to trans!e
his matter now out OF our hands so far IS the pas
'js concern ed
The ,uc cessee Of our arms since the spsipg can
.nalen cormxps manifest d'sfyafageme'