Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-01-31
RALEIGH: TUESDAY. JAN. 81. 1855.
Important Peace Movements.

Important Peace Movements.
Our readers are already informed that Mr.. Blair,
of the District of Columbia has been engaged for
a week or two past in endeavoring 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 tlne and then
returned to Richmond 1t is also stated, on good
authority, that Mr.. Davis has appointed three CON-
missioners to proceed to Washington, to wit: Vice
President Stephens, Judge Campbell, of Alabama,
and Hon. r NJ I. Hunter, of Virginia, to hear the
propositions Mr. Lincoln may have to make
We really knOW nothing of the basis on which it
is proposed to make peace, Sut it is stated that Mr.
Blair bore the following propositions to Mr. Davis:
81. amnesty to all without regard to age, sex,
OF position, aud 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 Tile Constitution as IL IT, and tho Union as IL
toas. 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 to the Union with all the rights
and privileges which it he'd before any Of the States
seeded.
g. The total abolition Of sLroery From this
point the President will not rctract one iOta. lie
does not insist upon the immediate abolition oil
slavery, but he does insist that such measures be
taken by the Sou:hera States as will secure its ex
tincton within a reasonable length Of time. This
is sine qua mn 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"
The substance Of the above is as follows: The
restoration of the Union, with the gradual abOi
tion Of slavery by the States; and an amnesty to
all persons in the South who have been engaged in
the revolu.ion-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-
federate currency at ten to in gold its equiv.
alent.
We give these reports for what they are worth.
As mere reports they will excite the country gen,
orally, and will rouse in people a still strong r
desire for peace. We would hail any steps looking to
peace with profound joy. 1t is coed omen that
the Richmond government has At length consented
to confer on the subject of peace We hope that a
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 DO agreed upon by
the commissioners referred to, or whatever terms
may be offered BY Mr.. Lincoln, they should be
submitted to tine people ofthe States themselves for
acceptance rejection. Indeed, they must be, for
the Confederate government has no power to agree
to any proposition touching the institution Of sa
very without the consent Of the States first obtained
We can perceive good reason why the Legisla.
ture of North. Carolina should hesitate a moment
longer to call . Convention. Let the people,
through their delegates, shave an opportunity to
consider the above propositions, any other proPo.
sltions that may be made. What they should do, il
is not for is 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
prolongaton 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 ,oih the Northern
people as equals than live under them and We
would rather live with them as equals than accept
| condition of serve dependence on European
powers. And such VIC believe is the sentiment Of
large majority of our people.