Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-03-22

L.
recently reported to you, it would be dispellsd
by recent occurrence, of which it is proper that
you should be informed.
Congress will remember that In the conference
above referred to our commissioners were in-
formed that the government of the United States
would not enter into any agreement or treaty
whatever with the Confederate States. nor
with any single State aud that the only posi-
bic mode Of obtaining peace was by laying down
our arms, disband.ng our forces, and yielding
unconditional obedience to the laws Of the United
States. including those passed for the confsca-
ton of our property, and the constitutional
amendment for the abolition Of slavery. 1t will
further be remembered, that Mr.. Lincoln de-
clared that the only terms on which hostilitics
could cease, were those stated in bis message
of December last, in which we were informed
that in the event of our penitent submission, he
would temper justice with mercy; and that the
question whether we would be governered as
dependent territories, or permitted to have
representation in their Congress was one on
which he could promise nothing, but which
would be decided by Congress, after our sub
mission had been accepted.
It has not, however, been hitherto stated to
you, that in the course Of the conference at
Fortress Monroe, suggestion was made by one
of our Commissioners that the objections en-
| tertained by Mr.. Lincoln to treating with the
Government of. the Confederacy or with any
separate State might be avoided, by substitu-
ting for the usual mode Of negotiating through
Commissioners or other diplomatic agents, the
method sometimes employed of a military con-
yention to be entered into by the Commanding
Generals of the armies of the two belligercnts. |
This, he admitted, was power possessed by
him, though it was not thought com mensurate |
with all the questions involved. As be did not
accept the suggestion when made, he was after
wards requested to reconsider his conclusion,
upon the subject Of suspension Of hosti tiles,
which he agreed to do, but said that he had
maturely considered of the plan, and had de-
termined that it could not be done.
| Subsequently, however, an interview with
General LoDgstreet was asked for by General
Ord, commanding the ehemy's army Of the
James, during which General Longstreet was in
formed by him that there was possibility Of ar
irving at satisfactory adjustment of the pre-
sent unhappy difficulties, by means of military
convention, and that if General Lss desired an
interview on the subject, it WOULD not be declined
provided General Lee had authority to act.-
This communication was supposed to be the con-
sequence of the suggestion above referred to. and
General Lee, according to instructions, wrote to
General Grant, on the second of this month,
proposing to meet him for conference on the SUBJ
ject. and stated that he was vested with the re-
quisite authority. General Grants reply stated
that he had no authority to accede to the pro-
posed conference, that his powers extended only
to making convention on subjects purely of q
military character and that Gen. Ord could on
ly have meant that an interview would not be
refused on any subject on which he, Gen. Grant,
had the right to act.
1t thus appears, that neither with the Coufcd-
crate authorities, mgr the authorities of any
State, nor through the Commanding Generals,
will the government of the United States treat
/ or make any terms or agreement whatever for
the cessation Of hostilities. There remains then
for us no choice but to continue this contest to
a final issue for the people of the Confedracy
can be but little known to him who supposes it
possible they would ever consent to purchase, at
, the cost of degradation and slavery. permission
to live in country garrisoned by their own ne
groes,( and governed by officers sent by the con-
} queror to rule over them.
Having thus fully placed before you the infor-
T nation requisite to enable you to judge of the
f state of the country. the danger to which we
l are exposed, and the measures Of legislation
needed for averting them, it remains for ME but
8 to invoke your attention to the consideration Of
, those means by which above all others we may
hope to escape the calamitics that would resul
, from our failure. Prominent above all others,
is the necessity for earnest and cordial co-opera
ton between all departments of government
State and Confederate, and all eminent citizens
, Throughout: the Confederacy. To you, especial
8 ly, as Senators and Representatives, do the peo
: PIE look for encouragement and counsel. 7;
your action, not only in legislative halls, but in
t your homes, will their eyes be turned for tht
: example of what be6tting men, who by willing
sacrifices on the altar of freedom, show that they
e are worthy to enjoy its blessings. I feel full
: confidence that you will concur with ME in the
: conviction that your public duties will not b.
ended when you shall have closed the Legislative
l.bors of the session, but that your voice will b
heard cheering and encouraging the PEOPLE t.
that persistent fortitude which they have hither
!, to displayed, and annimating them by the mani
Il festation of that serene confidence which in mo
r ments of public danger is the distinctive charac
It teristieuf the patriot. who derives courage from
: his devotion to his country destiny, and is thu
4 enabled to inspire the like courage in others.
q Thus united in common and holy cause, ris
ing above all selfish considerations, rendering al
= our means and faculties tributary to the country
Q welfare, let me DOW suemisslveiy to the Dlvln
}; will, and reverently invoke the blessing of on
o Heavenly Father, that as he protected aud guild
9 ed our sires when struggling in similar cause
= 80 he will enable us to guard safely our altar
and our fre-sides, and maintain inviolate the pc
o litical rights which We inherited.
e JEFFERSON DAVIS.
. Richmond, March 18th, 1865.
e TIE Provision ORDER-As we are informed, Il
subordinate officers having in charge the execute
. of the order to imnress proyisons ara seizinp II