The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-01-15
The Peace QuestiOn-How to Bring About
q Speedy Peace.

General.
The Peace QuestiOn-I1Ow to Bring About
Speedy Peace.
JEFF. Davis and his ruling confederates seem
to be extremely anxious for peace. He readily
admits into Richmond any volunteer peace
ambassador who presents himself with white
flag or white feather from the loyal States,
whether a representative Of the penny-a-liners,
the war radicals, the peace copperheads, or of
Kentucky Bourbon whiskey. His servile Con-
gress proposes peace committee Of fifteen, in
behalf Of the so-callcd Confederate govern
ment," to wait upon similar committee repre-
senting the United States government; and,
doubtless, with his consent, his associate, Vice
President Stephens, makes another effort as
peace agent Of "the confederacy," to be passed
through our army lines, and all to stay the
bloodshed and ravages Of this dreadful war and
to secure the blessings of peace.
But what is the peace which Davis is thus
industriously seekings It is the peace which
will recognize his Southern confederacy. He
can make no other-he can treat for no other
peace. He was set up by the conspirators Of
the rebellious Soath as the President Of new
national organization, styling themselves the
Confederate States of America" In this ca
pacity neither he, nor his Cabinet, nor his Con-
grcss, nor all together, have any particle of
authority to treat for peace, or for an armis-
tice upon any terms which do not first embrace
the recognition Of "the confederacy" Davis
must adhere to his position as the head Of
separate confederacy in all his movements for
peace; for the moment he abandons this ground
that moment he recognizes himself simply as
the head of lawless rebellion. In all these
peace movements, therefore, no is pettifogging
for . convenient bubble upon which he may
say to Lord Palmerston and Louis Napoleon
in receiving my peace offers or ambassadors in
the name Of my government, has actually re-
cognized it. Why, then, should England and
France any longer hesitateW
From the beginning Of the war to this day
JEFF. and his peace agents have been petit
Jogging in every shape and form for . conve-
nent bubble Of recognition. Nor is there any
telling what might have happened had we not,
in our hair-splitting Secretary Of State, pos
sessed vigilant pettifogger equal to the best
Of them. Shaky, rebellious conspiracies, like
weak nations, rely much upon the tricks Of
diplomacy. Thus, the Mexicans, of little ac-
count in war, are, in the cunning arts Of diplo-
macy, equal to the Chinese. Cunning often
supplies the want Of strength in nations and in
combinations, and to individuals among men,
as well as TO numerous lower orders Of
the animal world. Thus, conscious Of their
weakness from the trials of this war, the rebels
have developed and exercised all the arts Of
trickery to gain their ends. These tricks, how
ever, are but the notifications Of those inge-
NOUS and cunning devices whereby the leading
politicians Of the South, through their institu-
ton of slavery and the old democratic party,
ruled the country so long. BY the same arts
they might have ruled IL indefinitely longer.
But they were deluded by their successes into
q vain conceit Of their strength upon the
"corner stone" Of slavery. Upon this rock
they have foundered; yet still, like drowning
men, they are catching at straws-
We say they have no power TO abandon, to
surrender, or sell their "confederacy," in nego-
tiatons for peace. The power Is reserved In
Jeff.'s so-called Confederate constitution to the
individual States represented. The right which
they claimed of secession from the old Union
they have engrafted as the cardinal idea Of
their new Union. Under this idea each Of the
States concerned is . sovereign nation,
and their so-called Confederate government Ia
but limited agency for general purposes
thing Of convenience, which any State may
at any time, by q State convention set aside
President Lincoln should, therefore, no longer
trife, or permit any further triaing by peace
adventurous and spectators with JEFF Davis
: and his central csoal at Richmond. Our nego