Washington telegraph., 1865-05-24
I From oar Bulletin ofthc lSh inst. I

The Federal commissioners at Shreve-
port, have been heard and answered.
The department has nat been surrendered
thank God, and we sincerely hope will
never be on any such terms as those OF
tered by the enemy. Our army is in
good condition, Notwithstanding all the
demo ralizing rumors 10 the contrary,
1t was reported for instance that Gen.
Hawthorne brigade, with him at the
head, had made raid on Marshall, aud
taken horses to mount themselves. i hat
is untrue. Gen Hawthorne is too good
patriot TO set the example of mutiny.
There is really less desertion and insub-
ordination in our army than has been
often before in times of uncertainty and
depression. The army has pride of
character, and as soon as it becomes a
fixed fact in their minds that We are to
make a struggle for the preservation of
every element of manhood, they will
rally en- masse to save their own honor
and that of their people.
The Federal commissioners came it
seems without discretion, to demand what
is in effect unconditional surrender They
offered only the terms so singularly ac-
cepted by Gen. Lee, and which have
already been violated for the purpose of
heaping insult and oppression ON the
soldier--terms which leave every man
who will not sneak under his signif-
canoe naked to the cruel will Of peo-
pie, never magnanimous nor kindhearted
and now insolent with the sense Of supe-
rior power. The terms were rejected.
There is fife in the old land yet Every
patriot rises TO catch another breath Of
that atmosphere of Liberty which he
once breathed free as air. We remem-
Der again that we are free born, have
lived under the tongue of good report,
and are worthy and well qualified to d.
so for the balance of our lives-not rs
branded traitors, suffering the ignomy
and punishment of felons--disgraced
and humiliated in the eyes Of our moth
ers and wives-and a never failing re
proach to our children.
Our civil aud military leaders however
have not acted the part of men influenced
only by insane passion. They have re-
HCNttu lAltil cNltlIbuEu II " may IllttlliAdlu
ourselves in arms for an indefinite period.
and although that must be infinitely bet
ter than moral degradation-and may
lead to ultimate freedom; vet still the
failure of our cause in the East should
render us more inclined to accept fair
terms and relinquish the contest. Gov.
Allen of Louisiana, has been delegated
TO proceed TO Washington City for the
purpose of notifying the Federal authori-
ties of what terms freemen can accept,
and yield the point of Independence,
thereby restoring the only Union poesi-
ble-a union based upon the free assent
of equals. What the terms are, it is not
proper to divulge i'll advance Let it
suffice that they are such as gentleman
may endure TO abide by for the sake of
peace, and the safety of society. They
provide for the restoration of order
amongst us by the most judicious means.
without an interregnum If anarchy, and
insist upon freedom to each and all from
prosecution for political offences. If
Gov. Allen is granted safe conduct TO
Washington, and our terms be heard with
favor, peace is possible. Grave duties
will then devolve on citizens which
should be thought of well beforehand.
The first viii be TO assist in the quiet
disbandment, and return to their homes
Of the soldiers. Ii viii be essential that
tho citizens establish points, and pro ;ide
for their entertainment on the way. 9th
erwise no property or family will be safe
The soldiers will have nothing, and
must be fed
Hereafter every effort will be made to
pay the soldiers of our army as much
gold as possible.
In case of peace, too, every leading
influential citizen should adapt himself
to circumstances, and engage actively in
tie rnsLnratinn Of sucL suste1n of Statt