Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1865-02-15
Letter from Near Richmond.
UH THE NEW MARKET ROAD,
ABOUT SEVEN MILES FROM RICHMOND
..' FabrDorvy

feoruary III, 1860.
Editors InteJligencer
In these days, when the news is daily
being flashed over the wires from one end
of the land to the other, it is preposterous
TO think of giving news by letter, and con-
sequently, we can only amplify the des
patches, or fill up letter with our owe
cogitatiOns on the passing events of the
day that como to our knowledge. AS the
public mind has been much exercised of
late by peace runners, having their founda
ton in the late informal colloquy between
men high in character and station, repre-
senting the respective sides; and 10 that
unofficial, aud yet apparently semi official,
fitting backyard and forward between
Richmond and Washington, of individuals
| whose character, anteCedenls and present
surroundings, seemed to give importance
to this unexpected movement on the chess
board, it may be neither Improbable, nor
yet devoid of interest, to consider briefly,
not only what has been attained, but what
were the motives on either side, that led
to this extraordinary conference on the
part of the President of the United States
and Secretary of State, with men high in
character and station among the insur-
gents. But let US reverse the order as laid
down above, and consider the motives, then
the results and probable consequences OF
this effort for peace.
II is no doubt fact, that both parties
ardently desire peace; but as it is impos-
Sible that they could have misunderstood
each others position, it can hardly be pre-
sumed that either party could have enter
tanned hope of being able to 6ud any
basis for an adjustment, that would be &c
ceptable to the other party, GA which they
could come to an agreement at this Juno
ture of the contest. There is no room for
any middle proposition between the ultima
tum Of the insurgents, which is understood
to be independence" and the ultimatum of
the Government which is "submission," ex-
cept the proposition to fight it cut; and
this is SO apparent, that it is hardly posi-
BILE that either party to the contest could
have hoped for any other solution, how
ever desirable peace might have appeared
to all parties. Then why did Mr. Lincoln
on his part, permit an interview to be
sought2 and why did JEFF. Davis on his
part, consent to such an interview. 1t is
manifest that the object of both parties
was more to effect for themselves favorable
results in regard to the farther prosecu.
ton and future progress of the war, than
TO effect present peace. In other words,
whilst on the part of the President, there
was an honest purpose.to lay down, i'll Il
calm and dignihed manner, the only terms
which, according to his duty under oath,
ne could propose, and that too, with an
honest conviction that they ought to be
entertained by the insurgents, vet, know.
ing as he must, that they would not, his
purpose must have been to elicit, under
the solemn sanction of q formal, but un.
omelal interview, of the highest official
Personages of the respective parties, the
ultlmatum sof the Insurgents, that an
mouths might be stopped that clamored
for peace, but yet claimed to adhere TO the
Union; TO show to large and influential
majority in the loyal States, that the only
road to a peace, 10 which the nations life
should not be sacrificed, led to submission
on the part of the insurgents, to be secured
by successful prosecution of the war, and
thus unite the people of the loyal States
more thoroughly in a great effort to se-
cure the only desirable peace that can be
obtained. Then on the part of Mr.. Lin.
colni we may say that he was actuated by
a Propermotfve; and that his c6ndnct ia
this case, was in perfect accordance with
his characterfor Csndor, honesty, Justice
and humanity; neither did he let himself
down any in the eyes of bis countrymen,
or OF the world, in thus condescendiug to
meet and cOuter with leading insurgents;
put on the contrary, has LETT the impress =
sion of conscious strength and true great.
ness. Then for. US, this meeting Cannot
have been productive of anything sbutpood
results. Now let-us look a moment at rhe
other side. With jeff. Davis, the motive
was also that by a little piece Of foesse,-
and diplomatic engineering, be might ,la7 |
the foundation for Strengthening his
cause, by securing grounds for ep-t
peals to the passions aud SpI eindices Of
his people. Consequently We see his Official
organ, and all the rebel journals of the
capital exerting themselves to the utmost
to render Mr.. LiueOln's propositions odions I
to their people, and, by aconcert of action,
Efforts, and appliances, to revive the mad