The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-05

INC osneh inas THESE negotiations arc progress.
ing avoraby there il doubt II will DO
remembered that have throughout held in every
communication that the grand crash of the rebellion
at hand and may come at any moment Tho passage Of
the constitutional amendment has opened the way and
henceforward there will be no obstacle TO peace on
that score This accomplished, the government can
AFFORD 70 DC generous and 1t Is needless repetition for
TO say that such Is the view Of President Lincoln at this
time The President and those Cabinet Ministers who
have been consulted in reference TO these negotiations
consider 1t by faEthe policy IL the South will &C.
cept the constitutional amendment TO hold such in
ducements upon all other points a will secure tho
friendship OF the Southern leaders and their reunion
under the Old Tag TO their forming alliance with Ma
poeon and Maxmilan and be forever intriguing against
the United States The facts obtained by Blair while he
was in Richmond developed the fact that majority
there have bitter feeling against France England
and prefer union with the United States II s only
those who have been benefited by blockade running and
hlegitimae trade with Europe who have any desire to
form m alliance with France. The majority In favor
OF uniting with tho North and gathering the folds
Of the flag under which they have had SO many
happy hours in the past The recollection Of the glory Of
that Tag stu fingers around them and they yet cling
IT, as has been manifested by the soldiers both sides Of
the line cheering when they peace commissioners
pass through That large majority prefer reunion pro-
and can BIO assured that the radical Of conca
ton &c, will not be rgidy enforced is certain. Here ID
the very point where the negotiation has reached Tho
assurances held out by Blair this point Of the
Of Mcsrs Stephens Hunter and Campbell coming
into our lines 1t is upon this that negotiations
being carried
DAVIS TAKEN OFF Ills HIGH CAPTURE FORT
In order that the subject be fully comprehended Il
mond During the first visit to the rebel capital Davis
was on the high horse. His only terms recognition
and independence But certain inquiries were put to
Blair by rebel officials indicating that something further
was talked Of and that there idea existing then
Of submission. Blair returned. Fort Fisher captured
by the Union army and the navy. This event
entirely unexpected, IN fact, considered impossible
by Davis This opened thor eyes. 1t revealed 10
the rebel leaders their real and true position
Blair forthwith sent for by Davis In the
meantime bitter fight commenced Jefr. Davis.
The rage Of a disappointed people conferred upon
him. visions Of the fate OF other revolutionary leaders
under the camors Of an Infatuated people, doomed UP be-
fore him. The public at the North although they have
read the outburss Of the Richmond papers, have idea
Of the extent OF this Tight 1t very ending
Jc Davs' rule not only practically but in all ap
pcarances He saved himself by apparently yielding for
the time being This the condition that he In
VIII tho elder Blair returned Richmond. But Davis
enough to convince him that nothing but bodness
could save him. II was of political life death
with him. and circumstances urgent that they
adm tied of no delay.
With his self preservation mt stake the public
well realize how Mr. Davis would to accept tho
amendment TO tho constitution abolshng slavery pro-
vided eniency and amnesty granted In other mat
ters He could not think Of asking the Southern people
and binding; but amendment TO the constitution pre-
sentcd in another light and might transpirc
which would induce him to negotiate for reunion under
that and accept II binding upon them. Mr. Blair at
this STAGE and under the sanction Of the authorities here
informed Mr.. Davis that whenever they Qho Southl
would send Commissioners 70 treat the
basis Of reunion and . united country, with the
adjustment Of slavery conceded too, they would be
received and listened TO- Although Mr. Davis admitted
there and then that they reality whipped he dared
not take the responsibility Of commencing nego,ia-
tons upon any other terms but independence unless
armistice granted. This refused and Mr. Blair
away from Richmond with tho expectation Of
either returning that commissioners should be by
Mr. Davis the moment that he found he could safely
do under the terms OF reunion and abolition Of slavery
This is the precise result OF the Blars Let the
public judge Of its success failure When the announce
ment was madc In this correspondence Of Biairs
turn TO Richmond and that peace commissioners
the way from the rebel capital 1t upon idle
lecture or flying rumor.
now JErr. PRFPiREs FOR TIE CRISIS.
This brings to tho return OF Mr. Francis Blair Sr,
from Richmond the second time. Now The events
that have followed and their significance Hardly had
Mr. Blair turned his back upon the rebel capital before
JEFF Davis began to prepare himself the crisis
then upon him. The bill making General Lee Command
CT in-Chief was not signed for several days II
necessary for Davis TO make terms with General Leo be
fore he placed his signature and gave his sanction 10 that
measure. The interview WINS held, and alliance
made with the Commander in Chief Tho bill was
then signc but 1t will be borne mind that up this
date FRIDAY afternoon intelligence has been received
here OF the appointment OF Lee having been the
Senate.
The alliance with General Lee be relied upon az
permanent Some disaster TO the rebel armies either
Charleston or Wilmington which win arouse all the
wrath Of Jeifs enemies, may result in General Lees
being forced 10 take different course. What was
done had therefore TO BIO done quickly Delay was
dangerous. A day an hour might the wranglng.
General singleton, his return here stated that in
versation wth Lee he found that officer anxious for
peace and did not object TO ultimate reunion. On this
bond the two officials, no doubt, came together No
thing could be expected by delay while the other hand
postponemcnt In ction would be runous TO Davis II
became question Of self preservation for hm-success
from some source vitality necessary, no gone
Leo having been drawn into alliance, IL became
for Davis TO forfy himself In other quarters
The old feuds and animosy with Stephens were over
looked, and tho two once more met AZ friends-a
living example Of how danger will draw men together and
make friends OF personal enemies.
mR APPOINTMENT COMMISSIONERS AGREED uros AT
RICHMOND
The idea Of sending commissioners was agreed upon
and the parties instructed a. to their course
and lot into tho secret They mado their appearance
on Sunday afternoon in front Of our armies On ac-
count Of tho absence Of General Grant at will
mngton they wcro delayed until his arrival, on
Tuesday, whom they were received and special mcssen
ger TO Washington with the nature Of thor communal
cation This vas received here on Wednesday, when
Mr. Seward was Immediately despatched to meet them