Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-02-18
Free Trade as Compromise will
the Month.


The New York Evening Post, q vigorous sup
porter Of the war policy Of the administration in
an article on the late peace conference. which il
does not regard in favorable light, suggests as
q basis Of compromise betweea the north and the
south. the adoption of free trade as the perma
nent policy of the nation. 1t argues that upon
such a compromise the two sections could again
be brought together in harmonious union. 1t is
q favorite argument with republican politicians
that slavery the cause of the war. yet with
every prospect Of its extinction the struggle still
goes on. This il superficial view of the ques-
ton, as events will hereafter demonstrates Even
If the system of labor in the slave states should
be changed from involuntary to voluntary ser
vice, so far as the African is concerned, and
the most rabid abolitionists should dominate
where heretofore the STAKEHOLDER has ruled we
will find that sectional anita gonism will still exist
on questions Of sectional interests which will have
to be accommodated The interests of commerce
and trade are involved in this than the
question OF slavery The latter is usei 10 e.
cite the passions of the people. while the former
is artfuIiy concealed. But the former questions
will have to be considered in the final settlement
of our national troubles, and, as The Post re
marks. il will .'be the rallying poin, of thssreat
popular and democratic party of the future"
The financial policy OF the government. which
involves the question of free trade. soon
the terrible war ceases, will overshadow all
others. Ii is a little strange that this subject
was not suggested in the pence conference 1t
might have opened the door for reconciliation
upon the basis OF reunion by the concession of a
policy right aud just IN itself. and which would
have accommodated not only the southern states
but the great agricultural states of the north
west. We give the suggestions of The Post as
eminently worthy of consideration They fore
shadow the dividing lines of parties in the future
II says. referring to the conversation between
Messrs LINCOLN and SEWARD and the southern
commissioners:
We should like TO hear also. whether the illus
trious agents on side of the question bad the
sagscity 10 suggest an "intrinsic policy or
scheme" for the united efforts of both the north
and south. which. in our opinion. would 20 fur
ther toward reproducing cordial union be
tween them than any external plan of tillbus-
tersm and robbery. We mean the establish
ment of the principle Of free trade a. the perms-
nent policy of the whole nation. That princi-
pie. now that slavery is removed. ia destined to
be the the ralying point Of the great popular and
democratic party of the future; it Is positive
comprehensive. true. and consistent Nth our
institutions; il has slwsvs been from rea-
sons OF circumstance very acceptable al
the south: aud the cessation Of N on our part
would be, We believe. hailed with eager
ness and Joy by large numbers of the southern
leaders and people compensation for the re
lnQushment or loss OF slavery. IL would fur
Dish The only basis of compromise now possible
with honor IL either side Did the president
think of u: did Mr.. Seward suggest it. was il
talked of NJ all: or was it wholly overlOokedi
II u was forgotten think the negOtiators on
both sides neglected the most vital and sugges-
tive topic that could have been brought into the
debate. Hunter. who is almost a fanatics al free
trader. would have closed his jaws upon the
thought like a swapping turtle; and Stephens.
though ancient whig. has shown that he can
change ground when the occasion serves At
any rate se could have put upon them the bur
den of rejecting principle which Is more than
half their stock IN trade in Europe