The New York herald., 1865-02-02
REBEL ACCOUNTS.

DEPARTURE OF THE REBEL PEACE COMMISSIONERS.
From the Richmond Sentinel, Jan. 30l
Messrs A. II. Stephens, R. NJ. 7. Hunter and John A.
Campbell set Richmond yesterday morning their way
TO Washington, TO confer with President Lincoln tho
subject OF putting end 70 tho il possible The cir
under which these gentlemen have departed
their mission understood to be follows:-Mr
+. Biak having sought unofficial and confidential
interview with President Davis departed for Washington
with that President would be willing at
any tme without any obstacle Of FORM TO send agents
Washington confer about terms OF
peace, " informed In advance that said Com
mssioners would be received On Mr.. Blairs
second visit 10 Richmond he brought the con-
sen, Of Mr. Lincoln to receive and confer with any
agents i,yoywaay ssa with viac 70 tte rstoration Of
peace The three gentlemen who left yesterday were
shereupon by the President and they have gone
i,ho formal credentiah and merely iHormal agents. to
whether possible to place conference for peace
basis which may serve for attaining SO desirable
result il IL possible that success may attend their ef
forts; but wisdom and prudence demand that indulge
in confident expectations the subject and that
not one moment In energetic preparation for the
ensuing campaign From the choice made by the Pres-
dent may rest assured that neans ,ciu
Be lef anhied 10 effect peace, if 1t be pos
s.be to obtain 10 but II the three eminent citizens
selected for the purpose shall fail in their attempt
good result will certainly have been reached All dis
covdant counses this subject will have become
conciled and will longer be in the power Of the
factious the tmd to persuade the people that peace
be reached by path other than that opened for
by stout hearts and stout hands.
TIE COMMISSIONERS ARE ONLY REPEATING THE
BLAIR EXPERIMENT.
From the Richmond Enquirer, Jan. SOL
The Blair mission has suggested to Of leading
the propriey of a reciprocal experiment for peace
md Vircp Ind Cam
Secretary of War and Senator Hunter OF Virginia. have
with the knowledge and approval of the President de-
termined to visit Washington to what be done
towards the great end SO much desired These
gentlemen are fully posted upon all matters involved in
propositions Of peace, and II they meet with the
couragement their humane and patriotic impulses Deserve
the way will be opened for regular and is to be hoped
effective negotiations The commissioners left Rich
mond yesterday morning by the Petersburg Railroad for
City Point where the flag Of truce steamer New York
will meet them and transport them to Washington.
THE FAILURE or THE COMMISSIONERS ANTICIPATED
AND PREPARATIONS FOR CONTINUED WAR URGED.
[From the Richmond Whig Jan. 30.1
We have arrived at a critical point in controversy
with the government Washington and the people II
represents Commissioners have left this capital for
that Of the enemy under quasi invitation from Presi
dent Lincoln discuss the possibility Of adjusting the
in dispute and ending the II is Of vital
dealing with exceedingly arful and thoroughly
INSCRIPTIONS foe. Il is not impossible that this is
honest sincere endeavor their part TO terminate
the war; and that such may be the result but il is not
safe for to think On the contrary while
missoners should make the most efforts
satisfactory peace and while people should second
these efforts with their prayers is Just the time abcus all
others ,ues should put orh epry enStion and ardin
seyy muscle i" preparation for continued 'ar II the
my desire peace these efforts will not diminish their do
sre if they intend snare, this is the way foil them.
We confess with regret that but little evidence
and indulge but the fainest hope that they prepared
& accord such could think Of accepting 1t
has been bat little while since, by the reelection Of
Lincoln decided majority of them declared against any
peace except should be dictated by conquercrs
the vanqushed Nothing has occurred since 70 mollfy
their sposon but much to strengthen their conviction
that they subugate Even the party opposed to Lin
coins reelection only talked OF negotiation and states
manshp Of restoring the Union Tho visit OF
commissioners may be permitted only for the purpose
satisfying all parties there that peace be made
| with except on the basis Of separation. Many
OF the late supporters Of Mcclellan pledged when
satisfied of this, to the most unrelenting Their
accession to the administration party would relieve Lin
coin OF many embarrassmens and give him full swing
Moreover call for three hundred thousand fresh troops
is now pending They come In slowly notwithstanding
they have been assured by the Tribune and other leading
papers that II is not all likely they will ever have to
nre face gun The actual pndency negotiations for
pcacc-the declaration, perhaps, Of truce-would be
powerful backer to the promise that they will
| to fight largo bounty and fcw weeks OF barracks
| life only would be temptation too strong for tho multi
tudes moneyless iders and immigrants the North to
resist Seward may believe that he by pretext
another keep commissioners In Washington TIL all
the recruits needed in this way obtained II well
recolect how he played with and deceived the com.
nssioners that visited Washington March, 1891 keep
Ing them there whole month, while naval expedition
preparing for the relief Of Fort SUMTER and pcdg
ing himself the whole time that Sumter should be eyac.
acd Judge Campbell at least will apt to forget
what occurred that occasion Knowing then that we
have willy and unprincipcd enemy to deal with,
repeat that the Only safe TO be pursued Is
| work Immediately, and with all possible energy, pre-
pare for the spring campaign. II peace should inter
these preparations will have done harm II
should continue they will nt US face 1t. II we permit.
ourselves TO bs deceived and thrown OF guard grow
ing weaker daily while they grow stronger shall reap
/ harvest Of disasters.
Tho President has done well in the selections hc has
/ made Of commissioners. The choice OF Mr.. Stephens
shows proper regard for that sentiment IN the country
least satisfied with his administration. Mr. Hunter re-
presents the theories and which the soces
sion Of these States based while Judge Campbell
may be taken the exponent Of those shades OF opinion
that lie between the extremes They are gentlemen Of
such character and ability 70 give dignity tho great
mssonon which they have gone and Of such
moderation furnish tho enemy that we
acting in good faith and with sincere desire
plish satisfactory settlement Tho President we say,
| has done well In this matter. We recognize In the
selections he has made that Difference for the Judgment
wishes Of the people that should always govern the
head of representative government Continuing TO act
in this spirit hope that he will take all needfui steps
for The contingency OF the failure OF negotiations. We
have not yet heard that he had called General Lee to the
/ position provided for him by Congress- that ho has
restored General Johnston TO the command of the Army
cf Tennessee, urged upon him in imposing form.
The Cabinet, with exception, remains unchanged.
The Bureanx OF Subsistence, conscripon &C. continue