Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-01-25
FROM THE SOUTH.
The Peace Movement In tho r.,

| The Peace Movement In tho Rebel
COnBreBS.
The following article from the Richmond
Whig of Jan. ls, introduces the letter from
JEFF. Davis which was given yesterday:
| While We have taken no part in the dis.
cussions which have taken place in the
columns Of some of the city papers. con-
corning certain rumored proceedings of
that body on the subject of informal and
irregular negotiations with the enemy, it
has not escaped our observation that these
discussions have aroused the attention of
the public, aud that they have excited
very natural degree of interest. We might
say that debate on the questions on which
| no open issue has been made, and which
rest entirely on Hypothetical and copjec.
tural conditions, is irrelevant and euper-
| huous. Yet it must be admitted that in
the present temper of the public mind the
very tendency to admit such questions is
a significant symptom, and the tendency
is, no doubt, strengthened by the mystery
with which the custom of sitting in secret
must invest the most proceedings Of Con.
gress. While it would be in the highest
degree unjust to censure that body for
| supposed delinquencies, or merely imputed
errors, it is only natural that the people
should feel some anxiety concerning the
course of their representatives at this
extremely critical moment. d
Hence, although sharing to the fullest
extent in the deep interest with which the
acts of the legislative body are watched
by the public, we think it only right to
abstain from criticism on their conduct
which may prove to be unWarranted by
| facss, and from condemnation of acts
which, after all, may be purely imaginary.
/ Nevertheless as this subject of negotiation,
whether through the medium appointed by
the Constitution, or in the various irregu-
lar methods which have been suggested, is
one of grave Importance, we lay beforeour
readers letter on a cognate question,
addressed some time since by the President
to several prominent members of the Geor-
gia State Senate, among them the Presi.
dent of that body. AS this letter may form
conspicuous feature IN our cotemporan-
eous history, we think we cannot do better
than to lay it before the public. All, we
think, will agree that it is clear, torcible,
and cogent document
Then followed, without further COM
ment, the important letter which has been
given.
From the Richmond Enquirer, Jan. 1s.
While peace rumors are prevailing at
this time, yet none of them indicate any
means by W hich peace is to be obtained.
The Washington authorities take high
ground and say they will not treat with
the Confederate authorities, but entertain
q willingness to entertain propositions
from the States. In Virginia there is no
| authority with which they can treat
lUWest Virginia" is loyal, and therefore
needs no negotiation. Aud Virginia has a
l"Governor" in Alexandria, and Senators
and Representatives in Washington. Gov
ernor Smith at Richmond is regarded as
an usurper, as we'll as a rebel, and conse-
quently the Richmond State Organization
can be no more treated with than the Con-
federacy. While worshipping their green
back "calves" at Wheeling aud Alexandria,
they will not bow down to the Richmond
Governor. Therefore Virginia cannot, if
she would, make any propositions that
Washington would entertain. Thus We
are left out in the cold, with no alternative
bat ito fight it out like men,"
While the other States are not so we'll,
or, if it is preferred, so badly off as Vir.
ginia, while they are not blessed With so
many TGovernors" that it is impossible to
agree as 10 which of them is the rightfuI
Governor of their good people, are so
cursed with governments that while all are
de faeto none are de juTe in the opinion of
the enemy, yet the people of all the States
are met with con6sCation acts that plainly
tell them "you may come back, but you
must return propertyless, penniless; you
must surrender all your land, your slaves,
all your personal property, certainly, and
take your chances for life with the courts,
and with executive clemency.
Can any man point out any other terms 2
We know that Mr.. Orr of Mississippi inti-
mated that better terms than abolition of
slavery could be obtained at Wash
lington; but, with all due respect to that
gentleman, we defy him to give to his coun-
} Trymens any evidence whatever to justify
his assertion. We challenge him or any
other man to come forward with any evil
dence that both coniscatiou and abolition
are not still insisted upon by the Washing'
ton authorities. We assert that both laws
are unrepealed, and we understand that
Mr.. Singleton, the reported peace commits
sioner now in Richmond, informed gentle
men since his arrival here that the Repub'
licans in Washington we're discussing bills
before Congress for the establishment OF
con6scation courts wherever their armies
uenetrste, and the taking possession of all
J Iproperty and its distribution among their
! armies Mr.. Orr of Mississippi cannot
mean to Wilfully delude aud misIead his
! country into the belief that the enemy
l have, through any of the itinerant peace
!. makers that have lately been passing to
and fro like tradegWinds, intimsted that
other terms than Habolitlon or reconatruc-
: ton" could be made with the Washington
. authorities. We have no knowledge of thai
: movement WhichsMr. Orr announces to 6t