The Idaho world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1864-1918, 1865-01-07


would in vain have scanned the reports of your
proceedings, at some new legislative seat, for any
indication that progress had been made in his gil
gantic task of conquering free people. The
truth so patent to must ere long be forced upon
tho reluctant Northern mind. There are no vital
points on the preservation of the continued exls.
tence Of the Confectionery depends. There is no
military success of the enemy which can RECON-
plish ats destruction Not the fall of Richmond
nor Wilmington, nor Charleston, nor Savannah,
nor Mobile. nor of all combined, can save the ene
my from the constant and exhaustive drain OF
blood aud treasure which must coptinue untiI he
shall discover that no peace is attanable unless
based on the recognition of lndefeasible rights
Before leaving this subject tits gratifying to as
sure you that the military supplies essentially re.
quisite for military defence will be found as here
tofOre, adequate to our needs and that abundant
crops have rewarded the labor OF the farmer, and
rendered abortive the inhuman attempt OF the en-
enemy to produce, by devastation, famine among
the people.
The non>intervention of European powers is
treated on at some length. He declares the Con-
federacy fully competent to maintain its own
rights and independence against the invaders of
the country, and adds that without the aid de-
rived from recruiting their armies from foreign
countries, the invaders would, ere this, have been
driven fIom our soil"
He recommends the employment of 10000 ne
groes as laborers in the engineering department,
but discountenances entering them directly in the
military service for the present He adds,
'sShould the alternative ever be presented of sub
jngation, or the employment Of the slave as
soldier there seems no reason to doubt what should
then be our deciSon.''
NEGOTIATIONS FOR PEACE
The disposition of this Government for peace
ful solution of the issues which the enemy has re.
ferred to the arbitrament of arms, has been too
often manifested, and is too well known to need
new assurances. But while it is true that indi-
viduals and parties in the United States have in
dicated desire to substitute reason for force, and
by negotiation to stop the further sacrifice of hu.
man life, and to arrest the calamities which now
at1ict both countries, the authorities who control
the Government of our enemies have too often and
too clearly expressed their resolution to make no
peace except on terms of our unconditional sub
mission and degradation, to leave us any hope OF
the cessation of hostillties until the delusion of
their ability to conquer US is dspeIled.
Among those who are already disposed for
peace, many are actuated by principle and by dis
approx al and adherence of the Ubiquitous war
fare that their Government IS wagng, while others
are moved by the conviction that it is no longer to
the interest of the United States to continue
struggle in which success 10 unattainable. When
ever this fast growing conviction shall have taken
firm root in the minds of majority Of the North
ern people, there will be produced that willing
ness to negotiate for peace which is now confined
to our side. Peace is manifesty impossible unless
desired by both parties in this war; and the dispo-
sition for it among our enemies will be best and
most certainly evoked by the demonstration on
our part of ability and mistaken determination
to defend our rights and to hold no earthly price
too dear for their purchase. Whenever there
shall be, OH thepart of our enemies, desire for
peace, there will be no difficulty in finding means
by which negotiations can be opeued but it is
obvious that no agency can be called into action
until this desire shall be mutual. When that
contingency shall happen, the Government, to
which is confded the treaty making power, can be
at no loss for means adapted to accomplish SO de-
sirable an end.
In the hope that the day will soon be reached,
when under Divine favor, these States may be
allowed to enter on their former peaceful pursuits
and to develop the abundant natural resources
with which they are blessed, let US then resolutey
continue to devote our united and unimpaired en-
ergies to the defense of our homes, our lives and
our liberties. This is the true path to peace. Let
US tread it with confidence in the assured result.
JEFFERSON DAVIS.