Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-02-01
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RALEIGH: WEDNESDAY, FEB. 1, 1866
Important Peace Movements.
EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.


Our readers are already informed that Mr. blair'
Of the District Of Columbia, has been engaged Tor
q week or two past in endeavorng to initiate steps
for peace between Mr.. Davis and Mr.. Lincoln.
1t appears that Mr.. Blair first visited Mr.. Davis,
bearing letter to him from Mr.. Lincoln addressed
to Jefferson Davis; and that he then returned to
Washington, remained there short time, and then
returned to Richmond. It is also stated, on good
authority, that Mr.. Davis has appointed three com.
missioners to proceed to Washington, to wit: Vice
President Stephens, Judge Campbell, Of Alabama,
and Hon. R. M. T. Hunter, of Virginia, to hear the
propositions Mr.. Lincoln may have to make.
We really knoo nothing Of the basis on which it
is proposed to make peace but it is stated that Mr..
Blair bore the following propositions to Mr.: Davis:
II. amnesty to all, without regard to age sex,
or position, and irrespective of what he or they
may have done since the war began. This includes
all the rebel civil and military officials, from JEFF.
Davis down.
2. The Constitution as 1t il, and tho Union as it
soas. Of course some radical changes both in the
Union and the Constitution have been made by the
party now in power, which will not be altered in
the least But the point is that the South is to be
permitted to return to the Union with all the rights
and privileges which it he'd before any of the States
seeded.
8. The total abolition Of slaoery. From this
point the President will not retract one iota. He
does not insist upon the immediate abolition of
slavery, but he does insist that such measures be
taken by the Southern States as will secure its ex
tinction within reasonable length Of time This
is sine qua of the restoration of peace. Such
are the chief features of the propositions which
Mr. Blair is authorized to lay before the Confeder.
ate authorities"
Il L.. ~ = ell
restoration of the Union, with the gradual aboli-
ton of slavery by the States; and an amnesty to
all persons in the South who have been engaged in
the revolution-that is are to be punished, if
the Union should be restored 1t is further stated
that thirty years are offered as the time within
which slavery is to be abolished also that the fed
eral government will undertake to redeem the Con-
ederate currency at ten to one in gold or its equiv
alent
We give these reports for what they are worth.
As mere reports they will excite the country gen.
orally, and will in people still stronger
desire for peace. We would hail any steps looking to
peace with profound joy. 1t is good omen that
the Richmond government has at length consented
to confer on the subject of peace. We hope that
lasting peace may be the result.
But We still apprehend that no permanent peace
can be established without the Intervention of the
States. Whatever terms may be agreed upon by
the commissioners referred to, or whatever terms
may be offered by Mr. Lincoln, they should be
submitted to the people the States themselves for
acceptance or rejection. Indeed, they must be, for
the Confederate government has no power to agree
to any proposition touching the institution Of sla-
very, without the consent the States first obtained
We can perceive no good reason why the Legisla.
ture of North. Carolina should hesitate moment
longer to call Convention. Let the people,
through their delegates have an opportunity to
consider the above propositions, any other propo-
sitons that may be made. What they should do, it
is not for as to say. But we have no hesitation in
saying, that if people should be of the OPINION
after mature reflection, that independence could not
in all probability, be permanently established by a
prolongation Of the war, they would accept the
above propositions the alternative of subugation
and territorial dependence on the federal govern
ment We would rather live soith the Northern
people as equals than live under them; and We
would rather live with them as equals than accept
a condition of servile dependence on European
powers. And such we believe is the sentiment o.
a large majority of our people.
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