The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1864-06-22
Jefferson Davis Peace EnV0ys.

Lincoln, and was CURLY and arrogantIy de-
MED admission within our lines, upon a
point of etiquette, we expressed sorrow
and surprise that the Administration should
have thus dismissed an opportunity to open
a path of negotiation that might have led 10
an honorable peace. The Administration
Jon rnals, at The time. insisted that MIR.
Stephens mission was entirely disconpect-
ed with any purpose of diplomatic nature,
and that ii referred exclusively to a military
question. We advanced arguments to
prove the contrary, and exposed the abspr-
! dity OF the surposition that statesman,
of such superior abilities MIR. Stephens,
and one Of such high official grade in the
Confederacy, should have been dispatched
! upon an errand less important than the dis-
cusson OF the radical points OF difference
between the sections. We publish to-day
a recent correspondence between Jefferson
Davis and Governor Vance, Of North Caro-
lima, that proves that we were correct
in our estimate of Mr. Stephens's mis-
sion and that further proves how obstinate
and systematic have been this Adminis,ra
tion in closing all the avenues through
| which the influence OF reconciliation might
enter When we reflect upon The terrible
time, and of The new obstacles to compro-
mise hat have been engshdered It is i'm
possible for the patriot and the humane
man to repress his indignation al the heart
less treschery of those officials who, for
their own purposes, could thus coldly shut
the door in the face of a messenger OF
sDesce
MrsDavis says: eve have made three
distinct efforts TO communicate with the
authorities at Washington. and have been
invariably unsuccessful !" In regard TO Mr..
Stephens's mission, he says: ''The third
time, lew months ago. gentleman was
sent whose position, character and rspuia-
tion were such as 10 insure his position, if
the enemy were not-deIe rmined TO receive
no proposition whatever from the Govern
ment. Vice President Stephens made a
patriotic tender of his eervices in the hope
of being able to promote the cause of hu-
inanity and although little belief was en-
ter'sined of his uccess, ! cheerfuliy yield
ed 10 lis suggestion. that the experiment
should be tried. The enemy refused 10 let
him pass through their lines or to hold any
confe renee with ;heu,. He was stopped be-
fore he even reached Fortress Monroe on
his way TO Washington"
We should not have referred so poiniedly
10 this correspondence, had not the Black
Republican press, at the time of Mr..
S'ephens's rejection, soush, To deceive the
public and TO exculpate Mr.. Lincoln by re-
peated assertions that the proposed inter-
view had nothing whatever to do with peace
negotiations. But We wish the people 20
appreciate The extent 10 which the arts OF
deception have been pfaclised, to blind the
public az 10 The real state OF affairs. II
would no; have suiied Mr. Lincon's pur-
pose TO have had the war terminated at that
time, because, in The FIRST place, the Abo-
liiion ploi had not ripened, and, in the Sec
ond place, his arrangements for retaining
the Presidency were not msiuted He,
therefore, ent a jiscoureous and foolish
answer Of rejection 10 Mr. Stephens's re.
quest for an interview knowing that such
a course would so effec,uaiy disgsst the
Southern people as TO render any fature ad-
vsnces on their part improbable. At The
same time he instructed hi. organs to
mislead the No-thern people BY s5serting
that Mr.. Slephens's mission was OF no po-
liiical importance, having reference ex-
clusiveIy to an exchange of prisoners. But.
in the course of time. the truth starts from
its hiding place, and confronts the lslsfisr
We were sure. then, that Mr.. Stephens
came upon an enand OF mercy, of humanity
and patriotism TO appeal 10 The rulers Of The
North !or negotiation with a view 10 the
peaceable settlement OF differences. His
mission was one OF peace and for that rea-
son was thwartsd by Mr. Lincoln. In that,
as in all other things, the AG minisfraiion
pursued policy tending 10 exasperale The
Southern people and to prolong the war.
To have held conference with Alexander
H. Stephens, upon whatever subject would
have disgraced no Government and wrong
ed no cause for whatever his political
creed may be, he is a salesman, gentle
man, and an honorable. conscientious and
righl.hearted man. Thai we all know, and
as such, he is the peer oil the best in Wash.
ington. AVhen he asked admission at the
threshold OF our Council Chambers, We
must have known iEial no d. honofable mo
live brought him there and when our
Chief Magistrate turned his hack upon him
he likewise turned away from hope iha,
was offering 10 heal the wounds OF our ponr
country. In debating The brief lines that
denied the interview, he dictated the death
war; ants OF hundreds of thousands of our
countr yfnen whom Mr.. Stephens would
have spared, bu, whom Abraham Lincoln
doomed 10 the slaughter pens, that in their
blood might be written the realization of
L MI