Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-18

r. DO the commissioners Tell DotOro-
and, all their terms, or do they use diple-
lacy-each trying to see what are the
est terms to be hada
P. Oh it would be very imprudent to
low their hands. They keep the instruc-
Ions to themselves, and each side strives
:: n the best terms: as in our treaty with
britain in the Revolution. Our commits
toner's were instructed to contend for in
ependence, the navigation of the Mississ-
'opi, and the fishery of the ocean but,
i, they could not get all, then, they might
'ield the two last-and, by skillful diplo-
macy, they got all.
F. So that, our policy would be to claim
IL we want, but give instructions to yield
essentials l-s.... a..l,s...
P. Certainly. -es,eis'a. -
+. Aud the policy on the other side
would be the same9
T. suppose SO.
T. Then, mig ht not negotiation result in
nomething different from what is ostensi-
bly, demanded2 49, -.
P. It might be so. &. -
f.. Might not the enemy yield the point
# our independence, it we would yield
)me non-essential? .-.-
2. don't think he would. *'
F. But might he mott
P. won't admit it; because, if he had
esired to do so, he might have done it
ing ago. ~
F. Do you think he 'conld have done it
with propriety, except IN negotiations. g
P. Certainly he could.
F. Did you not say in your last message,
lat he could not2 en ."
P. Never, show me where. a..
F. Did you not say, that the enemy
.'ould not recognize US, until other nations
lad recognized us'l
P. Well, yes, T believe I did. But, I
lid that to abuse other nations for not
scognizing Us.
F. But still, you would not render your
.slf ridiculous, q beg pardon) by saying
What is not true, for the qualification Of
.busing other nations!
z. But, how are We to get at a treaty,
when the enemy refuses to treata
F. thought you said he had treated,
about various matters.
P. Yes, but not about peace.
F. And, You have never proposed to
treat about peace.
r. No, nor ever will.
+. Why nota
P. Because it would be degrading,
+. Why so! Have not France and Brit
ain said it ought to be settled by negotia-
ton, and have not you said to US, in your
messages and speeches, that you were rea-
dy and anxious to negotiate, and have not
Congress and the Legislatures said the
same?
?. Yes, repeatedly.
F. Well then, it is not only not degrad-
ing, but highly honorable.
e, P. 1t is not degrading to say it to others,
but it is degrading to say it to the enemy.
F. To say it to any body but the enc
my, is to TEX idly.
P. l have said it SO the enemy could
hear me, and they know my wishes.
F. 1t is manly to talk to an enemy, but
to talk at him is ridiculous-I beg pardon!
P. The proposition must come from the
other side.
F. If it be honorable, would rather it
should come from our side. But, at any
rate, that is mere "punctilio. Aud the
fortunes and lives Of millions, ought not
to hang upon it. And again, your mes
sages and speeches have made the impress
sion upon our people, that you have, three
times, offered to negotiate peace, and have
been, as often repulsed, and our people,
so far from feeling degraded, have prais-
ed you for it. If it DO honorable to offer
three times, it cannot be very degrading
to offer fourth. And, if there has been
no offer at all, as in this conversation you
have admitted, it were better to merit
| the praise tor the truth of the first offer
now, than to wear it for the error of three
supposed offers, which were never made
P. There might be some force in what
You say, if any good could come Of an
offer. But, | am sire the enemy would
not treat.
+. That is conjecture, at the most, and
is inconsistent with his repeated declara
tons OF bis readiness to treat on some
tcrms-his. terms And is equallyincon
sistent with our repeated assertions, tina
he is as tired Of the war as we are, and al
| much worst'sd by it-upon the very brinl
of ruin. In deed, that being true, the par
of wisdom in us would be, to approach the
enemy, with boldness, with offers of peace
as necessary for his benefit, rather thar
for ours. We should act the part of ,
conquering general before a besieged city
who demands surrender for the sake o
humanity to the besieged; offering term
So liberal, as to ensure their acceptance
But instead Of that, we stand tremblin,
before tire gate, with denunciation AM
buster to conceal our weakness, and afrai,
to sound the trumpet for parley, lest W
should be driven away in disgrace. Again
to refuse to offer terms imports one of tw
things-either that we have the advantag
and are disposed to press it to cruelty, Q
else, that we are at disadvantage, and fea
that the offer will be, attributed to veal