Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-01-24
For the Standard

-.. For the Standard.
Most of the disputes and 6ghtings, individual and
national, which occur, have their beginning and
long continuance from mutual Misrepresentation
sion, or PuEctilious pride, or both. --
That large msjority of the people North and
South are tired of this war and ardenty long for
peace, no one can deny Why cannot the wish Of
the great body of the people prevail2
few days ago the following scene occurred in
the Federal Congress:
"Mr. Kasson, (republican,) Of Iowa, asked what
evidence the gentleman hal that the South would
come back on terms consistent with the Constitu-
ton ...
Mr.. Brooks-I cannot communicate with any
body South.
Mr. KassOn-But the gentleman says peace can
be restored.
Mr. Brooks-Suppose we try. At an early pc.
riod OF the war VIcePresident Stephens made an
effort to be heard, but was refused and another
attempt was like unsuccessful. All can say is,
try. II We succeed, honour will rest on our et-
forts if we fail the responsibility will be the
Southern men.
Mr.. KassOn-Dd / understand you to say that
any authorized commissioner had been refused to
tIeat for peace?
Mr.. BrOoks-It was understood that Mr. Stephens
was authorized
Mr.. Kasson-That was denied by the rebel Gov.
| ernment
| Mr.. Brooks-It was re,affrmed in Mr. Stephens
| speech.
Mr.. Kassson-I did not see it.
| Mr.. Brooks in conclusion, appealed to New En-
! gland men everywhere, who now governed the
country to rise above sectionaiism and provincial.
| ism, and remembering what John Adams did when
he made George Washington, of Virginia, comman-
der in-chef of the armies Of the United States to
initiate the patriotism of this illustrous example
He especially appealed to New England men-who
now In part represented the Pacific coast in Con-
greSS, TO the three New England men from Iowa, to
the Ohio New England men, to Mr.. Washburne, of
Illinois, to ThaddeuS Stevens, of Pennsylvania all
New England men-to rise above party and the pas,
! siOns of the war and reunite the country. He
made passionate appeal to President Lincoln once
follower of Henry Clay, who thrice in his life by
craftsmanship alone snatched the country from i'm
| pending civil war"
About the same day that the foregoing took
place, the following took place the Confederate
| Congress.
1.-The question recurring upon the resolutions Of
ferred by Mr.. Barksdale published in this paper on
last Saturday as substitute for those offered By
Mr.. Turner, Mr.. McMullen, who was entitled to
the floor, offered the following resolution as a SUBJ
stitute to those offered by Mr.. Barksdale:
WHEREAS, According to the Declaration of Inde-
pendence of the United States and the Constitution
of the Confederate States, the people of each of
said States, in their highest sovereign capacity,
have right to alter, amend or abolish the Govern
| ment under which they i've and establish such
other as they may deem most expcdient; and
| whereas the people of the several Confederate
States have thought proper to their political
connection with the people and Government of the
United States for reasons which it is not needful
here to state; and whereas the people of the Con-
federste States have organized and established
distinct Government for themselves; and whereas,
because the people Of the Confederate States have
thus exercised their undoubted right in this re.
| spect, the people and Government of the United
| States hayo thought proper 10 make war upon
them and whereas there seems to be difference
| of opinion the part of the respective Govern
ments and people as to which of the contending
partias is responsible for the commencement of the
| present war therefore,
! I" ReSolred, That whilst it is not expedient and
would be incompatible with the dignity of the Con-
federate States to send commissioners to Washing
ton city, for the purpose of securing cessation of
hostilities, yet it would be, in the Judgment of
this body, emnently proper that the House of
Representatives of the Confederate States should
| despatch, without delay to convenient point
body of commissioners, thirteen in number COM
| posed of one representative from each of said
| States to meet and confer with such individuals
| as may be appointed by the Government of the
United States in regard to all the outstanding ques
| tons of difference between The two Governments
and to agree if possible, upon the terms of last.
ing aud honorable peace, subject to the ratification
o. the respective Governments and Of the sovereign
States respectively represented therein.
| Mr.. McMullen proceeded to address the House at
| iehStnI pOalCJ anu pTOpTle-
ty OF the Government proposing some terms of
| peace to the United States Government He be-
leved this to be an unholy, upcVilized, barbarous
war, and thought that the Government Should ex-
hanst all means, consistent with its bouour for the
! attainment Of speedy peace.
! Mr.. Atkins, of Tennessee, (rising) said be would
| like to know of the gentleman from Virginia (Mr
! McMullen) if he, or any other member of the
! House, had one iota of information or intimatio1
that propositions for peace would be entertained or
even received by the United States Government
Nc. McMullin said that he did have Information
information of very imposing character He
had information from Bishop Lay that General
| Grant had Sgni6ed to him that any Commission
ers or persons appointed by the Confederate Gov
eminent would be received by the United States
authorities at any point they might designate and
that an equal number of Commissioners or persons
would be appointed on the part of the North to
meet them and to have a free and full interchange
Of views upon the subject of peace
Mr.. McMullen continued to urge that our Gov
eminent would take some initiative step looking to
bringing the war to termination Governor
Brown and jce-President Stephens had said that
we were unwilling to open negotiations with the
I enemy for securing peace. Let the Government
open negotiations for peace-let Congress despatch
its commissioners into the enemy's line-let US
show to the world that are willing to accept an
honorable peace-and the mouths of Gov. Brown
| and his friends will be stopped. Without Mr.. Nc
Mullen concluding his remarks the morning hour
expired and the Consideration of the subject was
postponed"
Mr. Brooks in the North and Mr. McMullen in
the Smith thuq annear No IL thau conld ~ laost