The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1865-02-02
PEACE MICH TO Us.

The question whether peace Is near at hand,
stirs deeply the heart of the country. The re-
peated visits of one understood to be in the
confidence Of the government at Washington,
and now the departure from Richmond thither,
whether as formal Commissioners, or in a
less authoritative way-of three distinguished
statesmen, has quickened public expectation.
The subject Of peace in some shape, is under
stood to be involved. 1t is the talk Of the
town, the talk Of the country, the talk among
high and low, rich aud poor, boud and free
The sa-ue feeling no doubt peryades the North.
Some think peace will soon be here; others
shake the head mournfully aud say, 'No, it is
all a delusion, and a snare of the enemy 1t
Is not for us to decide what the prospect Of
reacbipg this immense blessing really is. We
know little or nothing beyond what is open to
all. Let US be content to commit the great
issues, first to the keeping Of the Supreme
judge, and next to those appointed to act for
us. May wisdom and grace from above be i'm
parted to all concerned
But there is one thing about which all agree
that peace would be boon unspeakably pre-
ojous. Have not death and the grave gathered
such offerings Of carnage and blood as this con-
tinent mover saw before2 What a blessing to
have peace-a righteous peace Suppose the
sun should rise to morrow, and look down npon
quiet land We should hardly know how to
realize the change: it would seem 'as dream
when one awaketb'' The good news would fly
as on the wings of the wind. No one eau read,
at this distant day, without emotion the graphic
description We are about to copy from an Amer
lean writer, Of the scene presented when peace
was declared between the United States aud
Great Britain in 1915,
CAT the close of the last war with Great
Britain, the prospects Of our nation were shroud~
ed in gloom. Our harborS were bloekaded,-
Communication ooastwiSe between our ports
was cut off Our immense annual products
were mouljeejug ia our warehouses Our cur
renoy was reduced to irredeemable paper Diff
fereuees Of political opinion were embitteriug
the peace of many households. No one could
predict when the contest would terminate, or
discover the means by which it could much
longer be protracted. 1t happened that, one
afternoon in February, a ship was discovered in
the of6Dg, which was supposed to be a cartel,
bringing home our commissioners at Client
from their unsuccessful mission The SUI had
set sloomiy before any intelligence from the
vessel had reached the city. Expectation be-
came painfully intense as the hours Of darkness
drew on. At length beat reached the wharf,
announcing the fact that treaty of peace had
been signed, and was waiting for nothing but
the action of our government to become a law.
The men on whose ears these words first fell,
rushed in breathless haste into the city, to re-
peat them to their friends, shouting. as they
ran through the streets, Peace Peace Peace
Every one who heard the sound, repeated it
From house to house, from street to street, the
news spread with electric rapidly The whole
city was in commotion. Men bearing lighted
torches were flying to and fro shouting, Peace
Peace! Peace When the rapture had par
TALLY subsidized, one idea occupied every mind
But few men slept that night In groups they
were gathered in the streets and by the fire
side, beguiHng the hours of midnight by re-
minding each other that the agony Of war was