New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-22
THE TIME HAS COME.

There are those pretty high IN authority WIN
sav. There is no use in offering terms to the
Rebels. for their leaders will never submit 10
the authority of the Union, and they only neso-
,;a,s n gain time" We do not believe this;
but. if We did, it would not at all weaken our
fajth that the President should promptly ana
frankly appeal to the insurgents IN depFe'auoh
of the further prosecution of their hopeless
struggle, giving them substantial reasons Tor
desisting forthwith. Whatever may be the
mslgnity or desperation of the leaders, Is
clear that the masses do not share it, Dayiss
persistent efforts, and more emphatieally his re-
cent elaborate endeavor, to prove our Govern
ment impIacably averse to negotiation ana
immovably resolved on universal coniScauon
and devastation, INDICATE beyond mistake the
drift OF opinion in Dixie toward submission and
peace. What use in showing, to people iniieA-
libly resolved on independence, that our Govern
ment would grant no conditionsl What motive
for the recent attempt to open negotiations
with G en-. Grant, if il were not deemed neceS-
sarv at least to make feint of negotiating on
lower plane than that Of 1861
We fully credit our recent information from
Richmond that Lee has confdentially apprised
Davis that he cannot hold out against the hosts
now gathering for his overthrow. We believe
what IS left Of the Rebellion can and will be
crushed any how; but We are utterly ayerse TO
tie needless shedding OF one drop of human
blood. SO long as War is essential TO the NE
of the Republic, let War rage, though it whelm
cities in blood and cover the land with ruins
and ashes; but let peace be secured at the very
first moment compatible with the unity OF the
Nation and the freedom of all her people. As
we have shown the Old World how free
people lavish their money and their blood when
the existence of their country is al stake, so
let us give her rulers a lesson in magnanilniiy
and clemency to vanqUshed insurgents. Let
not the victory Of the Republic be stained by a
single act Of veDgeance-by one wanton inilic-
ton of pain. Blood has flowed in rlyer5-let
il flow on if the necessity shall be found still 10
exist; but let not the National ensign be
stained by one drop shed to punish rather than
to save. ...-
What we would have President Lincoln do is
simply to set lucidly and briefly before the
Rebels the terms on which he would have them
lay down their arms and submit to the National
authority. These terms should convey his ulti-
matum on the following points:
/. UniOn-DisuniOn.
III. Amnesty-Treason.
III. nfscation-Property.
". ipaton-Slavery.
V. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES subversion.
VI. Representation in Congress.
II may be urged that some of these topics lie
without the sphere of the Executive; but this
is rather specious ami technical than practical
and vital. In matters of War and Peace, the
President stands for the People, and may
count with confidence on their ratfca-
ton Of his acts. Jefferson knew and
avowed that be exceeded bis constitutional
powers in purchasing Louisiana but he was
eminently justified in taking the responsibility
So let the President piOfier such terms as he
thinks proper and never doubt that lie will be
sustained in so doing. The country sighs for
an honorable and lasting Peace, and such
seems now within reach. Woe to the hesitancy
or peYverse counsel which shall prevent its
realization
-" But suppose the Rebel Chiefs are still OBJ
durstel"
We answer, They can damage nobody but
themselves. Let President Lincoln now make
a specific, circumstantial, magnanimous public
overture and the great body Of the Southern
Whites will insist on its acceptance. They have
lona enough submitted to famine, nakedness,
misery and death. at the beck Of unchastened
ambition. Profer them au alternative, and
they will be dragged or pushed no further in
this wretched course. Only give them "a place
whsreon 10 stand" aud they will speedily COM
pei the leaders to submit or maintain the struggle
unalded. Half the insurgents would come over
at once: what could tho rest do without them 7
Once more We exhors the President to offer
terms to the insurgents without delay. We do
not mean to suggest or hint at any bases of
paeifcaton. since we desire that the conditions |