Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-02-08

contrary, it is still an uldeniable fact, that
up to this late day no commissioners to
negotiate peace with our enemies have
yet been authoritatively and openly aP-
pointed and sent for that avowed object
Nor have we right to assume that such
commissioners would be rejected by the
enemy. 1t is probable, as Mr.. Pool ar
CUES, that the Yankees would be reluctant
to treat with such, coming only from what
they deem an insurrectionary government.
No such objection could lie to commission
ers appointed by the States, for the State
governments arc recognized fact, and 1t
matters not who originates terms nor how
they are proposed, so that in the end they
are ratified by the proper authorities OF
both governments.
G. But it is an insult to Mr.. Davis to
appoint commissioners for. him and ask him
to endorse them. 1t is an invasion OF his
high, constitutional prerogative.
q. Not at all. Mr.. Davis and all other
Confederate officers are appointed to DO
the will Of the States. Ii this is poiiti-
! cal error, it is one of Mr.. Davis's sanction
and one upon which our government is
based. Mr.. Davis cannot be insalted by
asking him to merely fulfill the proper
function of his Office. The States, as SOW
ereigns, set up the government and de-
clared war, and appointed the President
to conduct it. As sovereigns, they now
wish to negotiate peace, and they wish
him as the common agent OF all, to give
free pass and scope to such persons as they
may select to that end. Let US not con-
found the final action or concluding OF
peace, with the initiation or mere proposal
Of terms; the former must be accomplish
ed by the President and Senate under the
present compact; the latter may be done
by any one whom the States or any OF
them may select. Indeed, there is moth
ing to hinder mere private person from
proposing negotiations, and if the propo-
sal be accepted, then proper persons may
be appointed to complete the affair.
G. But the great danger is, if this plan
be pursued, that some Of the States may
conclude peace tor themselves and leave
the others to fight it out alone-whereas,
they are all honorably bound to stand by
each other until this struggle be over.
G. Nothing of this kind is fairly deduct
BILE from the resolutions. The only object
they have in view is to endeavor through
commissioners, to whom the enemy can
have no possible objection, to get up a
commission to talk about peace, in the hope
that by suspending hostilities for time
and giving the angry passions Of men on
each side time to subside, terms may be
proposed and argued, and mutual conces-
sions made, until satisfactory adjustment
Of all differences can be effected without
further bloodshed and suffering. This is
the plain intent Of the resolutions; nor is
it fair to impute other and secret motives
to the mover Of them.
&. But suppose any one of the States
should attempt to withdraw and conclude
separate peace, would you be willing to
that?
G. No, I should not be willing to it, but
if the States are sovereign, l know OF no
power that could hinder such COURSE
Their right to do this thing is expressly
recognized in the Constitution itself, in
serted therein by the prime movers in this
revolution, and is the very basis of all we
claim by this war.
Il. Still they are morally bound to sup
| port each other and remain true to the
compact until the present struggle is over,
| and. l think any contrary course would
forever disgrace the State and people en-
gaging therein.
q. [ think, also, that each State is NOR
ally bound to remain true to the common
government as long as that government
remains true to the great end for which
| it was created, and so long as the war is
waged to accomplish the end for which it
was inangurated. But should the COM
mon government, instead Of using its pow
ers to promote the interest and welfare of
| the States, turn them to the destruction of
States ights and Of the liberties Of the
people, then there would be no longer any
moral obligation on the part Of the States
; to support it in these usurpations; but up.
on every principle of natural right and
self-preservation, their imperative duty
| would be to abolish 1t and adopt another,
| or restrain it within due bounds
G. That is treason to the Confederate
! government, nothing but treason.
/ G. The contrary is treason to the State
! and to ourselves.
G. Well, well; be that as it may, I am
opposed to the Pool Resolutions, 1 want
them defeated the fact is l have promised
some friends that they shall be defeated,
and want you as personal friend to 90
against them.
c. That Governor is thing cannot do.
| approve them and must support them
Doyou imagine that you are discharging
your duty, as the Executive of North Car
DINA. when you quit your proper functions
to influence the action Of members against
their consciences9 Gov. Vance, am your
friend and wish You WE'LL supported
you warmly in you first contest for Gov
ernor, and in your last have net ap-
proved of all you have said and done, but,
believing you to be an honest and true