The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-03-23
The Question OF tho Dsy-The Restora-
tion OF the Union.


The Question OF tho Dsy-The Restora.
tion OF the Union.
"The time has come" says the Tribune, for q
proclamation from the President clearly set
ting forth to the rebels his terms Of peace. lie
desires TO prolong the war, and to keep the
Southern States out Of Congress, is he argu-
ment Of several copperhead journals or he
would have acceeded to the proposition Of JEFF.
Davis for peace conference between General
Lee and General Grant. We think it can be
shown, however, that ''the time has come when
a proclamation from the President, defining his
peace ultimatum, would be superiority, and
that no special authority from Mr.. Lincoln is
needed to enable General Lee, in . conference
with General Grant, to put an end to the war.
To this end all that General Lee has to do is
to propose to General Grant that the armies Of
the so-called Confederate States" shall lay
down their arms From this essential starting
point treaty Of peace can readily be accom-
plished. The rebel commissioners, In the
Hampton Roads conference, were officially
informed by Mr.. Lincoln that with submission
to the constitution and laws Of the United
States, on the part of the authorities and people
of the rebellious States, they would be gene
rously dealt with-that graceful submission
would secure them many advantages upon col
lateral points. This peace Offering is still
before them, and 1t Is as far as Mr.. Lincoln
could go in q proclamation.
As for the copperhead argument in reference
to General Grant, it is only bit ofparty strategy
for party purposes But the question before
us is too large and comprehensive to be made
an instrument of party trickery. After
all our experience in rebel diplomacy,
we think that President Lincoln has
acted wisely in paying no attention to the
proposition from Richmond for peace con-
ference between General Grant and General
Lee. It was but shallow device on the part
Of Davis to gain time. Let him resign or be
removed, and peace will Immediately follow.
As the best thing that he can now do for the
suffering people of the South and for himself,
we would advise him to resign and be off for
Mexico as fast as possible. In remaining at
Richmond he stands in the way Of peace, and
dangers thicken around him.
Relieved Of Davis, General Lee will meet
with no difficulty in securing conference with
General Grant and treaty of peace. In dis
arming and disbanding the armies under his
command the thing will be DONE An honest
and intelligent soldier like General Lee will
know that in proposing submission to the
Union he may ask liberal amnesty, and the
full protection of the constitution to the States
and people concerned. He will know that the
emancipation edicts and condscation acts re-
sulting from this war are subject to the deci-
sions Of the Supreme Court and reconsiders-
ton by Congress. Best Of all, with their sub
mission to the Union, the returning States, in
filing at once their vacant places in the federal
Congress, will secure the balance Of power for
their own protection, and this is their only
course Of safety.
We anticipate, too, the adoption Of this pro-
rramme. We believe that there will be very
little more Rghting-that Southern bayonets are
beginning to think, and that Southern soldiers
will no longer consent to be uselessly led to
slaughter. We look for an early report sf the
mysterious disappearance Of JEFF. Davis, and
for acceptable overtures of peace from Genera
Lee, in the simple offer to lay down bis arm'
and give up the contest