Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-01-16

The Opinions Of the New York Press 4
ON tae Peace TOvemeuds-H0W the i
Same Thing Is Seen DtnerentIy.
The Tribune says:
We cannot pretend to such thorough /
and intimate knowledge ss those who i
know absolutely nothing of what is going
forward in the way of Peace negotiat lions; |
but we can say with confidence that the /
course Of certain prominent journals in the /
North seems not only calculated but in
tended to extinguish every spark Of hope /
that those negotiations may give peace to |
our country.
The last Democratic National ConYen-
tion held at Chicago demonstrated on some |
! points foolishly, mischiaVously; but its
platform judiciously abstsined from even
naming Slavery. Like wisdom eYinced in
othee respects would have insured the sue
cess of its candidates. To say nothing
with regard to the future when you know
not what to say, this is an acme of wisdom
which men slowly and with difficulty at
tain; but no other axiom 80 uniformly
points to the path of safety and success.
After stating that General Singleton had
gone to Richmond, it quotes the terms of
peace which the World published, and says
further:
All this we confidently pronounce sheer,
impudent guesswork. Part of the guesses
are such as any one might make with toler-
able safety, and in New York quite ss well
as in Washington but they are only
| guesses, after all. And the principal con-
sequence and probable purpose of airing
them at this time is to furnish basis for
structures which are plainly calculated to
blast all hope of an early paci6cation.
If the journals of the loyal States will
refrain for a few days from such purely
factious demonstrations, they may be rea-
sonably sure of fresh supply of topics for
legitimate comment. To tell the rebels
as the World does-that Mr.. Blair is the
bearer of propositions which they should
not accept, and that he will insist on ex-
actions that they cannot comply with
what Is this but to inaame the spirit of
rebellion and insist on the perpetuation Of
Civil War?
The Times discourses Of JEFF Davis
thus
The idea of Jefferson Davis negotiating
himself out of existence, or allowing him
self to be negotiated out of existence, as
President of the Southern Confederscy, is
one which must be hard of entertainment
by those who comprehend his character
or who have studied his rebellious career
as it has appeared in his speeches, proclaim
ations and deeds during the last four years
or who have noted the desperate expedi-
ents and projects he himself has set forth
within short time. If Davis has any
prominent characteristics they are self
possession, determination, energy "A
| self-possession not to be affected by
any event or circumstance, or course
of events or combination of cir
cunstRnces "A determination which
will scruple st nothing whatever to
compass its ends-an energy remorseless
and uufsgging, capable of executing, un-
der any circumstances, whatsoever is die
tated by necessity or his judgment. In
the greatest stress of fortune, he has never
given any sign of the least yielding; and,
whoever among the rebels might at any
moment be discouraged, he has always
stood imperious and firm, hurting msledic-
lions and defiance, and backing up his
most desperately ferocious words by still
mora fendishly ferooious deeds. He has
had concentrated in his hands all the power
that exists in the South; and over and
again has he sworn that to the end, and to
the last extremity, would he use all that
power for the accomplishment of the pur-
poses for which this great rebellion was
projected, and has been for four years pro.
secuted. He has welded and now wields
those powers with q skill which even his
enemies must pronounce consummate
The Evegsing Post don't like the idea of
sending to Richmond, and thus speaks
We take it for granted, therefore that
if any such ififteen Commissioners are on
their way from Richmond to Grants
lines, they will return to their places, and
shave their trouble for their pain" s"-to use
sn old saying.
Mr.. Jefferson Davis and his fellows be-
gin, no doubt, to see that they have made
mistake-thst they are in dissgreeable
position-snd they are using that knsvish
| ingenuity which has so often stood them
in the place of craftsmanship, to get out of
their trouble. If they could induce the
. United States government to recognize
them they could probably lead foreign
governments to follow the example. If
Davis could get his Commissioners re-
eeiYed at Washington he would be furnished
by us with a triumphant argument against
} southern Unionists. HSee," he would say
to the loyal Tennesseeans, 'the United
States government treats with me; it does
not refuse TO acknowledge my rightful su-
thority, my rightful rule over the slave
States" And in our opinion the argu-
ment would be unsnswersbls.
There is work, however, for peace com
missions. The government cannot treat
with emissaries of Davis or the rebel chiefs,
because they represent nobody but them
selves. But it has right to treat with the
States; it may with propriety send agents
to the Governor, the Legislature, or the
people of any State. Suppose Congress
should recommend and Mr.. Lincoln Rp-
point commissioners, gentlemen of char
acter and influence, to proceed toSaYannah
to converse with Governor Brown upon
the State of the country, upon the folly of
} longer war, and upon the way in which
Georgia can best be restored to peace and
prosperity2 That seems to Us an effort
worth making. 1t is proper work, too, for
civilians; a general In command of sn
army or department has his hands too
full of other matters; and besides, it is his
business to carry on hostilities, while the
civil arm can best arrange for peace.
The World comments in its own pecp-
hsr style;
It seems to US that proposal of terms
of peace can have but two reasonable OBJ
iects. 1t is made, either in the hope of its
immediate acceptance or in the hope that
its rejection will provoke counter-revolu-
tion in the South. To accomplish either
of these objects the offer must be reason
able, since it can rely upon nothing but an
| appeal to reason for its sdoption It will