Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-02-15
BY S. J. ROW.
CLEARFIELE, PA, FEB. Is, 1865.
NO PEACE YET.

The rumors, that the Rebel peace com
missioners would only treat on the basis OF
recoqnitton and Independence, to which we
referred last week, were well founded, and
true in point of fact. An armistice looking
to rebel independence was their ultimatum.
This of course could not be granted, and
hence matters remain just as they were pre-
yious to the conference. The refusal of the
rebels to return to the Union upon any con
ciliatory conditions, leaves but one remedy
war. That more vigorous prosecution
of hostilities will follow, we have little
doubt. Although, nothing leading towards
a speedy peace was accomplished by the
President 5 meeting'these rebel commission
.ers, yet. We hope, that good will be the re-
sult-that the loyal masses will be convinced
that the rebels mean separation, and moth
ing else If the friends of the Union are
convinced of this fact, then much has been
accomplished thereby, and the result viii be
a more united effort in a further prosecution
of the war for the maintenance of the in
tegrity of cur Government. 4 contempo-
rary, in referring to this subject, says:
''As the direct design, ostensibly contem-
plated in the President S meeting with the
rebel commissioners, has been annourc ced to
be a total failure, it may be interesting to
notice the effect that has been produced on
the public mind The small class of per-
sons who had any misgivings about the
President 5 firInneSs, are gratItied TO know
that he did not, in any measure, recede from
the position which he has all along consist
emily maintained Those who, through a
sanguine temperament, Were very hopeful
of speedy peace from the effort, have been
disappointed Yet, they are glad that the
effort was made. The issue has not alarm
ed a single man. As the war was not of our
seeking, but has been prosecuted, under the
impulse of true patriotism, for the main
tenance of the Union, our people and our
government are. as they have been from the
beginning, ready TO close it when 1t shall APP
pear to have accomplished the end for which
they fight The abandonment of the rebel
lion Is the way to peace. This has been the
position of the Government, and the late
interview has shown that this is the posi-
ton still, without the shadow of a probabil-
ity that it will be changed. We incline to
the opinion that the issues Of tie late meas
ure are not yet fully developed. 1t is no
new thing, in diplomacy, to raise difficulties
on the threshold The rebel leaders, even
IN their days of loyalty, were never remark
able for the modesty of their political de
mands. However much they got, they al
ways wanted more, according to the Oliver
Twist philosophy. Our President, placable
but firm, is the right sort Of negotiator to
carry on the business with them; and we
augur favorably of the lesson they have
learned in their late interview with him.
The rebels have been led bv their deceptive
press, to believe that we are ready TO sacri-
flee every principle involved in the contest
for the sake of peace This Illusion has
been dissipated by this meeting, and we hope
they will profit by the correction of this er-
ror into which they have strangely fallen.
There viii have been furnished for them
materials of reflection, iii the kind, firm pol
icy of the Government, enforced by the Wig
orous and successive movements Of our ar
mics, that may lead them to enter the only
way of peace-the abandonment of the re-
bellion, by laying down their arms and re,
turning to their duty as good and loyal
citizens. -