Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-03-30

| plomatic agents the method sometimes en-
ploycd Of military convention, to be enter
| ed into by the commanding generals of tn,
two bclligcrcnts. This, he admitted was
! power possessed by him, though il was no
| thought commensurate with all thequestioni
Involved. A he did not accept the sugges
| ton when made he was afterwards requested
to consider his conclusion upon the subject
Of the suspension of hostilities. which he
I agreed to do but said that he had maturcly
considered Of the plan and bad determined
that it could not be done.
| subsequently, however, an interview with
General LOngstreet was asked for by Gen
eral Ord, commanding the enemy s Army OF
the James, during which General Long.
street was informed by him that there was
a possibility Of arriving at a satisfactory adj
justment Of the present unhappy difficulties
/ by means OF a military convention, aud that
1 II General Lee desired an interview on the
subject it would not be declined provided
General Lee had authority to act. This
communication was supposed to be the con-
sequence OF the suggestion above referred
TO, and General Lee, according TO instruc-
tons, wrote to General Grant on the Cd of
this month, proposing to meet him for con
ference on the subject, and stating that be
was vested with the requisite authority
General Grant reply stated that he had
no authority to acccde to the proposed con
ference; that his powers extended only 10
making a convention on subjects purely Of
a military character, and that General Ord
could only have meant that an interview
would not be refused on any subject on which
he General Grant had the right to act.
1T thus appears that neither with the con
federate authorities ofany state, nor through
the commanding generals, will the govern
ment Of the United States treat or make any
terms or agreement whatever for the cessa-
ton of hostilities. There remains. then.
for ua no chice but to cOntiSue this contest
to final issue for the people Of the con
federacy can be but little known to him who
supposes it possible they would ever consent
to purchase. at the cost Of degradation and
slavery perm ssion to live in country gar
risoned by their own negroes, and governed
by officers sent by the conqueror to rule owe
them.
Having thus fully placed before you tn
information requisite To enable you to judg
of the state Of the country. the dangers t,
which we are exposed. and the measures 0
legislation needed for averting them. it re
mains for me bat to invoke your attention
to the consideration Of those means By which
above all Others, we may hope to escape tht
calamitics that would suit from our failure
Prominent above all Others i, the ncoe--itj
for earnest and cordial Corporation between
all departments Of government state anC
confederate. and all eminent citizens through
out the confederacy. To you especially, a.
senators and representatives. do the peopl,
t look for encouragement and counsel. /,
your action--not only i'll legislative halls
: but in your homes-will their eyes be turne,
= for the example Of what l. beitting mel
who. by willing sacrifices on the altar q
. freedom, show that they are worthy TO enio
= its blessings. feel full confidence that yo
e will concur with me in the conviction tha
Jour pubiio duties will not be ended whe
v you shall have closed the legislative labOrs
e the session, bat that your voices will b
heard cheering and encouraging the peopl
, to that persistent tortitude which they hav
hitherto displayed and animating them b.
the manifestation of that serene conhdcnc
| which, in moments Of public danger is tn
, distinctive characteristic Of the patriot VIII
derives courage from his devotion to hi
I country destiny, and is thus enabled to in
splre the like courage in others.
: Thus united in common and holy cause
: rising above all selfish considerations, ren
! dering all our means and faculties tributar
: to the country welfare. let US bow submi,
, sively to Divine will, and reverenty invok
; the blessing of our Heavenly Father, that a
he protected and guided our sires Will
= struggling in a similar cause, so he will en-
l able us to guard safely our altars and GU
: tiresides, and maintain invioate the politics
| rights which we inherited.
= JEFFERSON DAVIS.
; Richmond March Is, 1865.