Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-02-04
The Peace Agitation.

very B6uelb1f6 huQ IlOIDlQ CoQQlIlOQ OF the
public mind. That these movements are
having much influence both North and
South is evident in the fact that every
body is anxious to hear more con
oerning them and that the commercial
interests of the country are checked by
hesitancy and doubt. The developments
thus far show that there is an ardent de-
sire for peace perVsding the people of both
sections. In the North this desire is st-
tended withs determination that no peace
shall be granted or accepted which does
not keep intact the entire Union and does
not provide for the abolition of slavery.
We believe that with all the interest which
the masses have in peace, there is no de-
sire for it on any other terms The people
of the North do not hate the people of the
South. They never have hated them as
they hate US. More genuine hatred could
be excited to-day, in the Northern heart,
against some foreign power than against
the people of the South. We do not
therefore fight for the sake of revenge.
We have no malice to crafty. The fact
that we have been constantly victorious,
and that the people of the free States have
been moulded in higher type of ciyilizs-
s4on5 <orDzaE sE10 O4STs5SITS20 Of serSa LIasTeu
as now impels the leaders of the rebellion
to fight on to the bitter end of subjugation
or determination.
The people that have poured forth both
men and money with astonishing prodigsl-
ity, have fought and are to-day fighting for
the noblest of ideas, the maintenance of
the Union in the interests of democracy
and civilization. They are not animated,
as has been falsely charged in England,
with desire for conquest.
What all the running to and fro from
Washington to Richmond and Fortress
Monroe may result in, is as well known to
our readers as to anybody outside of the
chosen few who are in the secret. That it
may result in an honorable peace we sin
cerely wish, though we indulge in no
hopes. That both Mr. Seward and Mr..
Lincoln should deem it advisable TO go to
meet the new commissioners, is certainly
significant. When those men left Rich
mond they certainly knew that the restora-
tion Of the Union and the abolition of
slavery were necessary to peace. They
must have come within our lines, there
fore, prepared to come down from the in
solent demand of Davis for independence,
or have come merely as political dodge.
We can scarcely believe their mission to
be for the latter object. We cannot forget
the famous speech made by President
Stephens opposing secession and warning |
the South of the consequences. On the |
whole we are disposed to believe that
something to rejoice the country may be
the fruits of the mission.
1t is not to be denied that the rebel press /
at Richmond has been made more arrogant |
and insolent than usual by the presence of /
Mr.. Blair in that city. The rebel editors /
froth and foam. They effect to look
upon tie visit of Mr.. Blair as |
confession of weakness on our part. They |
see in it fears of foreign intervention after
the 4th of March. They boast that it |
would be impossible 70 raise another army |
in the North; that volunteering has ceased /
and conscription cannot be enforced. Such /
misunderstanding and misrepresentation |
of the disposition of the government to
make peace must be expected, But in case
of failure to achieve it by negotiation, the
rebels will soon learn to their sore regret,
how tearfully they have mistaken the re-
sources and the purposes of the people of
the North. They will find large force
brought to bear upon them in the ensuing
spring than ever before. They will learn
that foreign intervention in their behalf is
the last thing we now fear. Our relations
with England and France were never
more smicsble than now. We do not pro-
pose war either with England or Nspo-
leon, and we are quite certain they do not
with US. The Richmond Ersmsper of the
3Oth in an article from which we make an
extract this morning, admits that foreign
Intervention in behalf of the Confederacy
is hopeless. But it pirates about the
exhaustion Of our resources in men
and money. This fond delusion,
now taken to the rebel heart, as
last assurance Of success, will be entirely
swept away, if new campaign is opened
in the spring, They will find that war
with increased men and means will soon
lead either to their subiugstioR or their
determination. It is certainly not desirs-
bic to have matters come TO this pass, if
peace can be otherwise obtained, We do
not permit ourselves however, to indulge
in any strong hopes of peace, except
through farther war. It is upon this pre-
the people should act. The
time draws near to another draft All
these peace movements should not, for
moment, relax the efforts to ill up all
quotas before the day of draft comes
around TIE little that the rebel Congress
may do before the opening Of the spring
to increase their force, should
be met by an immediate addition to our
effective force of 100000 men. IF this be
done, few months will crush out all op-
position yet left, Of a formidable nature.
AS Sherman is marching on Charleston,
peace sgitations, SO
should the people meve against the rebel
lion.
Hon. James Guthrie, United States
Senator elect from Kentucky, says q