Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-04-28
Bases of Peace Drawn up by Gems
Sherman and Johnston.
REASONS FOR THEIR REJECTION BY THE
GOVERNMENT.

, ence between Gems. Johnston and Sher
! man, the memoranda, or bases, of whs
was agreed upon between these two Ger
&c erals and the result, are as follows
"Memoranda or bases of an agreemer
: made this 18th day of April, 1865, nea
Durham's Station, in the State of Mort
Carolina, by and between Joseph L
Johnston, commanding Confederate army
and Major Gen. VIM. T. Sherman, com
handing the army of the United State
in North Carolina, both present:
/. The contending armies now in thu
field to maintain their Stdtu quo unit
notice is given by the Commanding Gen
eral of either one to its opponent, and Il
reasonable time, say 48 hours, allowed.
2. The Confederate armies now in ex
istence to be disbanded and conducted ia
their several State capitals, there to de-
post their arms aud public property in
the State arsenals, and each officer and
man TO execute and file an agreement to
cease from acts of war and to abide the
action Of the State and Federal authority.
The number Of arms and munitions are
to be reported to the Chief Of Ordnance
at Washington city, subject to the future
action Of the Congress of the United
States, and in the meantime to be used
solely TO maintain peace and order within
the borders of the States respectively.
3. The recognition by the Executive
Of the United States of the several State
governments, on their officers and Legis
Iatures taking the oath prescribed by the
Constitution OF the United States, and
h e r conflicting State governments
have resulted from war the legitimacy
OF all shall be submitted to the Supreme
Court of the United States.
4. The re-estabishmpnt Of all Federal
Courts in the several States, with powers
as defined by the Constitution ard laws
of Congress.
.. The people and Inhabitants of all
the States to be guaranteed, so far as the
Executive can, their political rights and
franchise, as well as their rights of person
and property, as defined by the Consti-
tuition of the United States and the
States respectively.
6. The executive authority of the gov |
eminent Of The United States not to dis d
urb any of the people by reason of the
ate war, so long as they live in peace |
and quiet, abstain from acts of armed ,
hostility, and obey the laws in existence i
At any place of their residence. Il
z. In general terms, war to cease and :
A general amnesty, so lar as the execu> :
live power of the United States can com.
maud, on condition Of the disarmament of
the Confederate armies and assumption
of peaceful pursuits by the officers and
men hitherto composing said armies.
Not being fully empowered by our re-
spective principals TO fulfI these terms,
we individually and oilicially pledge our
selves TO promptly obtain the necessary
authority and to carry out the above pro
gramme.
(Signed) WM. T. SHERMAN,
Major General Commanding
Army of the L. S. in n. c..
j. Il. JOHNSTON,
General Commanding
Confederate States Army in N. c.
This proceeding of General Sherman
was dsapproved for the following reasons. S
l. 1t was ar exercise Of authority NJ,
vested in General Sherman, and on it, {
face shows that both he and Johnston !
knew that be (Sherman) had no author, :
iy to enter into any such arrangements.
2. 1t was practical acknowledgment
Of the rebel government
5. 1t undertook to re-establi,h the
rebel State Governments that had been
overthrown at a sacrifice of many thou
sand loyal lives and immense treasure.
and to place arms and munitions Of war
in the hands of rebels at their respective
capitals which might be used as soon a,
the armies Of the United States were dis !
banded and employed to conquer and d
subdue loyal States. q
4. BY the restoration of rebel authority il
in their respective States they would be- &
enabled TO establish slavery.
D. II might furnish a ground of re, p
'ponsibiliry by the Federal Government b
to pay the rebel debt, and certainly sub. lie
ects loyal citizens of the rebel States 10 =,
pay the debt consumma,ed by rebels in
he name of the State. "
6. 1t puts in dispute the exi.tence of tt
ne loyal State Governments and the new .,
State of Western Virginia, which has d,
'een recognized by every department OF 70
he United States Government.
z. 1t practically abolished the confisca NJ
ion laws, and relieved rebels of ever, pt