Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-04


would convince our enemies that no AID and CON-
fort could be found upon Southern soil .--
But. Sir. must notice the resolutions proposed
BY this minority report" This is the inst resoIu
ton sf the series Y
Of North Carolina, in the Geaeral Assembly now &
cessiped do not hesitate to declare their earnest
destre for peace based upon the independence and
entire separation of the Confederate States govern
ment from the government OF the United States,
and will accept with ready and cheerful spirits any
propositions which the public authorities OF the
United States may make for the furtherance OF
such purpose"
In their anxiety to find objections, and prevent
the opening of any negotiation upon the sua)ect Oh
peace, gentlemen seem to be running into the very
dangers which they profess to be seeking to avoid.
I conld not vote for this resolution. Apart from
the useless reiteration Of the sdemand for ndepen'
deace and separation as preliminary basis FOR ne
EQUATIONS there is vital objection to this PROPOSE
ton. If our enemy could derive aid and comfort
from the bare appointment of commissioners to
open negotiations, he would be likely to accept the
declaration contained in this resolution as manifest
ing most anxiety upon inI it.
not sufficient to say that we will accept! But
what is it proposed to "accept with ready and
cheerful snirits?" "Any propositions which the
public authorities of the United States may make
for the furtherance of this purpose!" 1t should
have been any honorable propositions-and even
then, it would be better to leave out the ready
and cheerful spirits" inose VINO discern slo a .n
comfort to the enemy in the resolutions upon the
table. have solemnly recommended the adoption OF
: this unp.arded and humiltating petition for some
pronosa} from the public authorities of the United
States, sossnpaned with the declaration that any
iproposition would be accepted with ready and
cheerful spirits" beg leave to decline accepting
the substitute, and to deny the validity Of the rea-
IN ifc ado he
ton of such a resolution, by the minority report
leaves room to doubt the candor and seriousness OF
z the suggestion that the adoption of the original
RESOLUTIONS might give encouragement to our adve:-
saries. 1t becomes US to be guarded ana watcnfui,
while we are determined and firm in the prosecu-
ton of any purpose required by the honor and IN
sterests of our country. The appointment and ten
der of these commissioners from the States would
remove the pretence upon which the opening OF
negotiations has been prevented, and throw upon
others the responsibility of continuing the mad ap-
peal to arms alone, which has characterized this
struggle and shocked the enlightened sentiments of
mankind by its temper and its fury. The advan-
tage Of moral position claimed against US, is being
used with effect to justify or excuse the unreent-
ing ferocty ard persistence with which the war IS
waged and really gives aid aud energy to the oper-
atoms and policy OF the United States government
Let this advantage be taken away, and II possfoie
turned 70 account for u.s. by the action proposed IN
the resolutions upon the table, 1.-THE effece oil tea
action be parried by the acceptance OF the commas -,
soners and the opening Of negotiations It El sun
retain much Of its moral weight; and thstrue is-
sues between the belligerents will be openeo III
naked detail without the possibility Of further mis-
apprehension or evasion. This is desirable to those
who contend in just and righteous cause. and Is
formidable only to the projectors of ambition and
| wrong, The high claims and exorbitant demands
OF warning chiefs put forth amid the clash Of arms,
must be viewed with allowance, as only the ebulll-
ton of passion meant to excite the enthusiasm OF
their respective followers bat never as true ex-
position Of the real purposes and objects which
reference to calm negotiation would disclose. This
war has continued long enough, and been marked
i with sufficient carnage and misfortune, to admit
now the appeals Of humanity and reason; and the
|, varied success, the unquestonabe display of ex.
allied fortitude and valor, and the exhibition Of e
drful strength and resources have FIJI S eSsn tha
TIC rurenenss of milifaffy interest dutv and md
stpas,sm q NV ea for the steady and ec
Ess1nr \ craftsmanship and diplomacy. Those
who first to initiate this will be honored by the
appreciation Of the Christian world and blessed witt
the gratitude of posterity; while those who refuse
or impede it must bear the responsibility for the
continued shedding of blood.
No delinquency is imputed to- the President in
efforts for peaceful solution of our present trou
bes. 1t has been the misfortune of his official po-
sItion and the peculiar distinctive character of this
war as revolution, which have made him unable
to open negotiations. He is still poweress in this
respect unless the States take advantage Of thei,
recognized position and tender to him their voun
tary aid in the manner now proposed. The propo
slton so strangely favored by the opposers of these
resolutions, to request him again to tender commits
sioners OF his own appointment, does imply delin-
quency ON his part Is he SO blind or perverse thai
the States must instruct him in his duty! Let il
not be said. His self respect and dignity may for
bid bis again making the identical proposal which
has been SO polntedIy refused. This is a new pro.
position, embracing new and essential elementstri
king at the very point upon which former proposal.
nave been rejected-an element beyond the power
OF the President to command without the aid Of the
l states, IN which the States are necessary partic
pants, and from whose participation alone success
IS expected. 1t is an acknowledgment that the
President has performed his whole duty, and hav
ing tailed of success, it now becomes necessary for
the States to extend that aid which the peculiar ma
ture OF our government places in their power alone
Ihe States can remove the obstacle which has been
raised against his efforts to open negotiations, and
In obedience to request from them he can, con
sistently with dignity and self respect renew those
Efforts, with new element at his disposal by which
to test the sincerity of former objections, expose
the dupclty with which they were made.
Mr.. Speaker, | hope these resolutions will be
taken from the table and passed. It will place US in
truer and more tenabe position. TIE good of our
| country, our own character, and "decent respect
for the opinions of mankind" urge to this action
The people expect and desire that some movemen,
be made towards peace, by other means than the
stern and dreadful arbtrament of arms. While We
make new drains upon them, let us be equally earn
est in all efforts to secure peace by other means
1t isaoe to our gallant soldiers Who fer honorable
peace, are Drawing with equal fortitude the o
winter and the dangers that dwell in the battles
\ "high carnival of death" Let them see that the
\ civil departments of the government earnestly
lending their aid to the same end by every legiti
mate means. The objections to the action proposed
in these resolutions are untenable. 1t is no inter
\ ference with the constitutional treaty making pow
| ers of the President and Senate-gves to our ad-
tersaries no advantage either moral physical but
altogether the reverse 1t implies no delinquency
in the general government but offers it the aid and
co operation of the sovereign States upon serious
difficulty peculiarly within their province to rene