The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1865-02-02
The Peace Question.

from his selt-appolnted peace mission 10
Richmond, and the result OF his labors
may be summed up in few words. He
has succeeded in accomplishing absolutely
nothing. Jefferson Davis assured him
that no peace was attainable except upon
the basis of the recognition of the Con-
federacy, which is al ultimatum our gov
ernment can never consent to. We en-
barked in this war with the deliberate
purpose and determination of preserving
the Union inviolaie, and to even suggest
any other possible consummation than
this, particularly at the present time, when
the rebellion is acknowledgedly On its last
legs. were to insult the patriotism and in
telligence of the American people The
war must go on-JeTerson Davis hath
dccreed it.
1t is to be hoped, says the Pittsburg
Commercial, that, whoever were the origi-
nators of the Dissolving Views OF Peace,
wherein Nh Blair figures so conspicuous
ly, they are by this time satisfied as to the
character OF tho speculation. 1t is hardly
to be supposed that DIr. Lincoln belonged
to the set, but That he yielded to their
persuasions so far as to allow them to try
their hands at what has ended, as his
Judgment assured him it would end, IN
complete failure. It turns out that Davis
Is no more disposed now to accept the only
terms on which the North will end the
war, that is, unqualified submission, than
at any former period. At least such is his
attitude, and it is by that, not by the sur
roundings, that lie must be judged.
Mr.. Blair is preparing statement, or
report, Of the result of his la5ors, the
poiuts of which are understood to be: First,
that Davis demands The recognition Of the
Confrderaey whereas, Mr.. Lincoln re-
ouires submission. Second, that if Davis
appoints Commissioners of peace, cessa-
ton of hostilities for ninety days must
take place whereas, this cessation, altho'
the Commissioners might not, as they
probably would not, get within thousand
miles of peace, would be of immense ad-
yantage to the rebels, at least postpone the
end Just SO long, and score up useless
bill of expense for US from fifty to one
hundred millions.
Here the Peace Views dissolve, we
trust never to take shape again, except IN
the permanent reality which we believe
TO be rapidly approaching.
Considering how the South have fought,
and the resources they have displayed, it
may be as we'll not as yet to conclude that
they are incapable of prolOnging the war,
1t ought to be remembered that the lead
ers have every motive for prolonging the
last stage, for protracting the final epoch,
wherein their personal fortunes are so di-
rccty involved. In considering their
ability to DO this, it ought not TO be forgot
ten that they have absolute power; that
though dissatisfaction exists on every side,
and the Southern people generally have
lost confidence, the leaders have upwards
OF a hundred and fifty thousand men in
arms; that Richmond is defended by an
intrenched army that may be reinforced
by nearly the entire force OF the CoDfeder-
acy not already there that while there is
no reasonable doubt that this force will be
finally overcome, there is little or no pros
poet cf Immediate surrender. States may
cease 10 cooperate, and the great body Of
the Southern people may practically cease
10 war against the Government, yet the
military power of the rebellion, represent
cd by the army, must be broken and
destroyed, before the leaders will give up,
and peace be restored.
1t is this view of the case that enables
US to Comprehend how pear We are to the
close Of tie war. II is full Of encourage
ment, for it throws the government on lis
own resources as the sole means and
sneediest method whereby peace can be
nbtaiued. We como back, therefore, to
the point that the war will cease when 1t
IS fought through to the end, and not an
hour before. If For sny reason it was best
another view should have trial, the fail
ure Of it only the more frmly establishes
this conclusion.