Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-04

~ 'eH'ucht DaVlS mt. Lincoln mas +
pressed MS readiness to receive q commissioner |
from what he is pleased to designate as the "leads
OF the insurgent forces" while he refuses to re-
csive one from the President as q civil magistrate,
MS may be considered point of punctilio but it
10 'haoe a1id insisted upOn-and We are placed in
inc position OF demanding full recognition Of the
oon'ederacy as an indispensable prerequisite to tho
OF any negotiations whatever.
M, oeieVe thu this position should be corrected.
mere Is general feeling that nothing short Of in
dependence could be accepted and that any treaty
which did not embrace it would be rejected But
II Is suihcient that Independence be required in the
ueaty-not as preliminary to opening negotiations
upon the subject Of agreeing upon treaty. Should
conference be opened, our commissioners would
isist upon recognition. But there are other qnes-
IONS upon the satisfactory arrangement OF which
thls concession may depend. The United states
may demand the free navigation of the MISSISSIPPI
riVer and continue to refuse recognition unit; TINS
can be agreed upon. What Of the coasting trade
Snail it be free? What of alliance offensive ana
defensive upon the Monroe doctrine? Where snah
De the boundary line? Shall the recognition INCLUDE
Northwestern Virginia, and the States of MISSOURI
and Kentucky? The settlement of all these ques-
lions may reasonably be required before they con-
sent to recognition. And other questions OF detah
might arise affecting the main issue between the
parties. Should they all be agreed on and salts
tactoriy adjusted, there might then be no turther
dispute upon the question Of recognition. Gan we
reasonably hope that the United States will ever
consent to recognition, while these questions are
entirely open? 1t would be gratuitous conces-
sion OF the main point in contest-piacing US IN
position to rise in our demands, and continue the
war-and would give to foreign nations a full Justl-
hcaton for extending their recognition also How
ever desirable it may be to US, can we reasonably
expect it from an enemy? | ain satisfied that 1t
will never be conceded Some plan must be adopt
ed to avoid this useless issue, or this war must
continue, with results that every patriot may de-
plore
President Davis, in his late message says, " No
instance in history is remembered by me in which
nation pretending to exercise dominion over an
other asserting its independence has been the first
to concede the existence of such independence. -
And in another part of the message he says, " In
word, peace is impossible without independence,
and it is not to be expected that the enemy will an
tcpate neutrals in the recognition Of that indepen
dence." Now, Sir, if it is not to be expected that
the United States will be the first to recognize us
much less can it be expected that they will do so
as preliminary step to opening negotiations
up tie main point in dispute for the sake merely OF
getting cur consent to talk with them upon the
subject. There is no intination that any other ma
ton is likely to intervene but rather the reverse.
Aud what is the result, but war, continued and un.
relenting? How can 1sesce ever Gomez But diff.
be expected that the United States viii be- The se
to recognize us, when they become satisfied that It
is to their int. est to do so, provided other mat
tiers Of detail be satisfactorily arranged But it
cannot be expected that they will recognize
preliminary to opening negotiations upon those mat
ters Ifinterest should point them to the course it
might be expected that even an enemy would be
the first to accord independence-in treaty-but
not as preliminary thereto, or for the privilege Of
being allowed to treat.
The United States may consider its honor IN
volved in this proposition. 1t would be confess
sion of weakness, indeed complete receding from
the whole field of cOntest-a concession Of almost
everything. Would not such ar unqualified &C.
acknowledgement OF the Confederacy embrace Ken
lucky and Missouri? Would there be any ASST
rance that it would end the war? disagreement
on the question Of boundary, and other points,
might still prevent the cessation of hostties-
We should seek to make this question of interest
only to- our adversary. Let our terms upon points
Of detail be made known, and such CONCESSIONS as we
can make upon them be offered as an inducements to
secure independence and peace. When can we hope
20 see this war end, while even q conference upon
the subject of peace IS made impossible by such
high demands as to involve the national honor of
either party! But it is said, the United States has
forfeited all claim to honor by the barbarous man.
ner in which it has conducted this war Let us
not deceive ourselves. We miscalculated and un.
derrated its power and energy, and deceived
our cost Nations are Sensitive on the subject of
their military strength and prowess. Yielding up-
on this is the last degradation to which they sub
init. Upon it is supposed to depend their national
safety. But the least assailabie of all conduct as
question OF honor, is the manner in which they
execute vengeance upon their enemies. nation
may be disgraced in the estimation of humanity by
acts of barbarous cruelty and wantoa desostion in
waging war. Such conduct has too often charac-
terzed the armies of the United States in this strug
ole M vpill atfo 70
| it But this affords no reason for expecting that
they will concede before the world any acknowl.
| eSgment OF weakness or defeat that would imply
cowardice or dishonor Humanity and Christian
virtue may stamp them with disgrace for acts OF
vandalism and barbarty. But they will understand
that they can answer the world with recrimination
and defiance. They do not fear that it. will affect
their status in the family of nations. What nation
caR raise the point against them? Is Russia the
accuser? She is pointed to unhappy poland-to
| noble men and high born matrons perishing among
the icy rocks of Siberia. Is Austria the accuser
Let the voice of down. trodden Hungary answer
The public whipping of women by orders from her
highest functonaries- confscations and the ex-
ecutions arise in dark array, and hush her voice.
Does France raise the point? Remind her of the
simple-h earted priest loving peasantry of La Ven
dee-of the deeds of horror enacted in their quiet
felds-and France must beg that the veil of obliv-
ion be drawn over the seene and that il be no more
remembered among the nations What c n
Spain say? Ask the spirits of the Montezumas-
| were they "upon bed Of roses? p Spain trembles
and totters under the continued vengeance of just
and righteous God. And Mexico, so lately become
! q monarchy upon our very border-the early fruit
of this unfortunate war-will she raise her voice
1t is hushed by the Texan war cry, Remember
the Alamot" Is England the accuser Dear old
England-our mother-the honored parent and pre-
server of constitutional liberty and civil rights
| Point to India. Where are the Sepoys-poor, de-
luded bloody victims upon the altar of their coun-
trys libertyg The cries of slaught cred women and
iufants strike England dumb before the tribunal Of
| nations And what shall we say-we ourselves!
Were We not participants in the cruel determination
| of the poor, naked red men of the forest? The
sins Of nations, the sins of individuals. are Just
subjects for the vengeance Of Heaven. Who can
say that tie present terrible scourge of desolation
| and blood upon the American States is not just
retribution for national sins? Upon this point, the