Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-04-27
Better Terms than the Rebels ever
Asked In theIr Most Prosperous

vli Condition. ~
bRf,Gen. SHERMAN felt satisfied that If the
agreement he had entered into with Gen
JoHNsroN should be formally ratlned II
,would snake Peace from the Potomac 10
stbe Rio Grande.n This agreement as 1t has
been given to the public, stipulated that
the Rebel armies should be disbanded at
theIr several state Capitals, and their arms
e5enos,ted in the State arsenals; each off1eer
~ ,,,.u was to enter into an agreement
that he would war no more against the
Federal Government, and would abide the
action of both the State and Federal au-
tborities. The number Of arms and num-
lions of war we're to be reported to the
chief of ordnance at Washington City, to
be held subject to whatever disposition
Congress might make of them. Inc Stase
Governments were to be recognized oy the
Executive. by their officers and the Legis-
iatures taking the oath prescribed py tne
Constitution. The Federal Courts were TO
be established in the several States "iCn
mowers as defined by the Constitution and
the laws Of Congress. The people were to
receive an Executive guarantee IN their
political rights, franchise and rights
of person and property as defined by the
Constitution and the States respectively.
The people were not to be disturbed by the
Executive authority of the Government OF
the United States, by reason of the late War;
SO long as they should remain obedient to
the laws. iiai
In short, it provides for absolute Peace,
a maintenance of the Union, general am
nesty and the supremacy of the laws of the
limited States, made in pursuance of the
Constitution thereof, By agreeing to these
terms. the Rebels testified to the complete
failure of the Rebellion,and that the Fed
eral Government had triumphed most sig
nally. 1t may be said that the terms let
the leaders in the Rebellion off too easily
This we neither affirm nor deny.
These terms are now pronounced better
than any "the rebels had ever asked in
their most prosperous condition." and
which "had been deliberately, repeatedly
and solemnly rejected by President LIN
coIN.n This is given as the eighth reason
why,the present Administration refused 10
ratify the agreement between SHERMAN
and JOHNSTON, and 1t is being echoed by
the Administration press. Why are not the
terms given to the public on which the
Rebels were willing to make Peace, tnat
20 us were more satisfactory than these
and which President LINCOLN deliberate
~. repeatedly and solemnly rejected?" 1t
ia but few months since the Administra-
ton press asserted, with a positiveness that
seemed to be absolute, that the only terms
ON which the Rebels were willing to make
Peace was, the recognition of the Southern
Confederacy. The Ohio State Journal, in re-
ferring to the Hampton Roads Peace Con-
ference, used this language:
"AssuRANcE.-That was piece OF very
cool assurance that prompted Messrs. oee-
vens. Hunter and Campbell, rebel emlssarles
from Jeff. Davis, to approach the lines of
the Union army under flag Of truce, and
AJAX permission to go to Washington City, to
hold AN interview with the President un-
der the rretext that their object was to fnd
out a Way for the restoration OF peace,
wher.jtappeafs in the sequel that the only
conditions they were authorized or inclined
to offer were that we should consent to a
dissolution of the Union, and the recogni-
tion of the rebel authority over all those
States which they claim as composing the
Confederaey! Messrs. Stevens, Hunter anu
Campbell, are not blockheads, ana must nus
have known that no such conditions would,
}or moment, be considered by the Presi-
dent. and that il he should SO far forget his
duty as to listen to the rehearsal OF such
nronositior. and even be inclined to favor
Il. there ia a power behind the throne
the people--that would suddenly put that
matter right"
Are we to understand that a dismember-
ment Of the Union, and recognition OF
the Southern Confederacy, would be to the
rebelsworse terms than the terms on which
Ger. SHERMAN and Gen. JOHNSTON proposed
to end the War and maintain the Union@
What Disposition Would be Made
Of Them.
oIn the event the Rebel armies should sur
render on the terms General LEE surren-
dered the army Immediately under his COM
mand, what disposition would be made OF
their officers? The Rebels have no Federal
ofieersto exchange for them. According to
the decision Of Attorney General SPEED,
Rebel officers, either civic or military, are
not citizens Of the United States. They
can't 70 into loyal States, even If in those
States they have their homes. Sup the event
ef- the surrender Of all the Rebel armies,
does thjs not end the Rebellion; and If the
Rebelliot, Is ended, are not the States that