Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1865-02-04
Return of Mr.. Blair-Nothing
Accomplished Toward Imme-
diate Peace-What the South
is fighting For, and on What
Terms 1t Will Stop Fighting.
From the Richmond Enquirer, January col


The second mission of Hon. T. P. Blair
to Richmond is ended, by the return Of
that gentleman to Washington yesterday
morning. That nothing has been accom-
plished towards an immediate peace we
feel justified in assuring our readers. The
enemy are willing to permit us to dictate
our own terms, provided only we will not
dissolve the Union. Any guarantee for
slavery, any constitutional provision for
its protection and extension, full compen-
sation in greenbacks for all the negroes
that have been carried off during the war,
anything, everything that we can ask or
think will be freely granted, if only we
will consent to reunite with them. These
may not have been exactly Mr.. Blair's
terms, but they embrace the substance
of his mission, and do not in the least ex-
aggcrate the extremity to which the ene-
my are willing to concede US if we will
only return to the Union. But these
terms cannot purchase our liberty. We
are not fighting for slavery, neither its
protection nor extension. We arc will
ing to give up slavery for our liberty. We
intend TO be independent and free, or to be
exterminated. The enemy will under
stand the earnestness of our people in due
time. As yet they do not fully know US
but they are learning fast. We are seek
ing a place among the nations of earth,
believin; it to be right secured to US by
our forefathers. Slavery has nothing
whatever to do With this war. We will
sweep the institution from before US the
moment it stands in the way of the ac-
complishment of our liberty, The enemy
might as well abandon the effort to bribe
US with protection for slavery, out of our
liberty We admit that there are few
recreant wretches in these states who
would sell their liberty for their neg; oes
but our word for it, they are few aud ut
terly contemplate. Resolutions may be
introduced into the Virginia legislature
looking to reconstruction, but they will be
rejected with unasmily which will for
ever damn the wretchcd traitor that has
thus sought to bring shame and disgrace
upon the fair name Of the state. When
they make their appearance it will be time
enough to speak Of their authors and sbet-
rs in their reasonable work. They will
be found to be men of no earthly influence !;
men who have maintained their places in
the l. gislature because the army had ia
ken into its ranks all The men fit for such
places. Those who would now entertain
propositions Of reconstruction and remain
with murders of our sons and brothers tho
violators of our women, the wretcles who
have burned our houses and desola,cd our
ii:lds, ase either already purchased up or
have fixed their own price upon their trea-
son, and are satisfied they will obtain it.
1t would be most notifying to see any
such resolutions introduced, and we do
most earne>tly hope that good sense m a.
prevent their being offered. The second
mission of Mr.. Blair is the best evidence
that we can desire that our people have
only to be true to themselves and they will
eventually secure their freedom. When
Mr.. Lincoln is willing 10 give up his love
for freeing negroes, and when he and his
people are willing to give constitutional
guarantee for the protection of slavery and
even to repeal all laws prohibiting its intro
duction into the free states, to pay for oil
stolen Legroes, there can be no Dctter eyi-
dence that the enemy are beginning to un.
dersIand that the job is too big. Stand
firm now. We have gone through the
fiery ordeal, We have only to be as faith
lul to our cause as we're the sons and bro.
theirs we DOW mourn, and we shall soun
rejoice in the enjoyment Of our liberty and
Independence There is compromise
that yet may open the way TO peace. 1t
has been suggested that the United States
will ackno Wedge our independence ,provi
ded treaty OF commerce and league
offensive ard defensive fer the application
of,he Monroe doctrine to all the states o
North America can be agreed upon
When that proposition is made, it will be
time enough to discuss it. In the mean
time our readers may as well revolve the
subject in their minds, for it is not i'm
probable that il may become living, tan
gible proposition before many months.
Soldiers Vote in Michigan I'm.
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