Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-01-04

lore the world. This might possibly % done un-
der the mediation Of some foreign power. But that
is some humiliation and possibly danger in calling
for the intervention Of European monarchies to Set
tie disputes between American RepuSlcs. Fortu. |
nAtely, there is an element in our form of govern
nent that may be seized apoH to unite this Gordian
kpet The sovereignty and civil authority of the |
several States is not yet denied or questioned The
power to rasfy and confirm treaties has indeed been
delegated to the general government, and no inter-
ference with that power would be lawful OF proper
But the difficulty is not upon the rstiisaton-ii isA
upon the opening of negotiations for the purpose If
agreeing on and reporting3e neetE This must re |
done through the medium d ccnnissioners sppdDt.
ed for the purpose. But tie reception of comrlls.
sioners appointed by President Davis is held to a.
volve concessions that cannot be made. The 90.
lection could not attach to commissioners from the
States Their reception would imply no recogni- |
ton Of the civil authority nationality of the Cn.
federate government The United States could re.
ceive them without any receding from its assumed
position. Negotiations might thus be opened, aid
peace and independence result These resolutions
propose the appointment of commissioners by i I
States, and to request President Davis to tender 10
the-United States a conference for negotiating
peace through the medium of these commissioners
Should the United States still refuse. something viii
nevertheless be accomplished BY the adoption Of
this measure. 1t wilfstrp President Lincoln oftbe
excuse upon which he has refused to negotiate with
us, and place u.s. IN proper position before the
world 1t will arouse public sentiment at the North,
by holding him up, without excuse or pretext, as
deaf to the claims Of humanity and civilization The
condemnation of mankind could no longer be siiene.
ed or parted by the pretence that some implication
derogatory to the honor of his governmenswas con-
tanned in the proposition. These commissioners
would he standing offer, on our part, to comply
with all the requirements Of the enlightened, Chris
tian sen6mentsof mankind, and to stop the effuson
of blood ny an appeal to craftsmanship and reason.
1t would reverse the position of demanding "a
conditional concession of the leading point in dis
pute before We consent to the opening of nesGia.
tons, aad place US in the higher and more honora
bic position of clearing away all obstacles to the
peaceful adjustment OF our differences, and thus
throw upon our adversary allresponsibity for con-
tinuing to disturb the peace Of the world.
But these commi sioners would probably be re-
ceived and negotiations opened. Every point in
dispute would receive deliberate consideration -
The respective interests and purposes of the two
sections would be presented and weighed. Should
the be convinced that construction Isl
Impossible, and continuance of the war but WASTE
of blood and treasure there would be no longer N
the way point OF puncti.io-a question of iancia
honor-and it might be most reasonably expected
that they would be the first to concede the existence
of our independence. And then peace would come
u the respective parties and ruin ? -Fanatt-
cism is assuming control, and the baser passions of
the human heart are usurping the place of modera!
ton and virtue. The war is threatening the sub.
version OF the liberties of both Sections and il con.
tinued, must lead to scenes of horror from whi,l1
humanity recails, and the last hope of anxious "a,
tnots fade away. Independence and liberty can be
secured only by negotiations and peace. Let III
formal obstacles in the way Of peace be promptly
removed. Let us, at least, be free from blame-
with every effort exhausted-conscious of duty doe
and then, if the light of republican liberty on thS
continent must be exinguished in blood, we shah
escape the reproaches Of pOsterity.
1t IS objected that those resolutions propose an
interference with the treaty making power vested
in the President and Senate. The minority report
confuses the words negotiate, ratfy and confirm "
The distinction between them is SO obvious as hard
ly to need an explanation. Commissioners may ne
gotate treaty, but before 1t can have validity it
must be ratified and confirmed by the President
and Senate. The resolutions propose only to make
request OF the President that he renoerto the
United States q conference for negotiating q peace
through the medium of these commissioners" Is
it interfering with the treaty making power to pre-
fer a respectful request to the PRESIDENT There is
effort to confer upon the commissioners any
powers whatever, as derived from the States. The
President is requested to adopt them and he may
give or withhold such powers and such instructions
as may seem to him meet and proper. It is ques-
Soh "a appointment Ouly. OIOulU tue HTeSluenC
appoint, ne is met with refusal on formal grounds
But let the States appoint and the objection cannot
De raised 1t is no interference with the constitu
tonal prerogatives of the general government
But the minority report" proceeds to deny,
"that one State, while member If the Confederate
government, can enter into any treaty or alliance,
with another State, for the purpose of negotiating
treaties with foreign power" Is it an alliance to
ask the co operation" of our sister States in max.
ing reSDeCtIuI nf the prncidoptS Tho
Governors recently met in Augusta to devise some
concert OF action to place more men in the army
Did we hear that stgmatized as an unconstitutional
alliance Of States? EARLY in these troubles there
was Peace Congress. composed of delegates from
the several States, and it was objected that It
constituted an unconstitutional alliance. But when
did gentlemen conceive such horror Of an alliance
among the States? 1t is still fresh in the memory
OF some that previous to secession the advocates of
that action, proposed and held conventions compos-
ed OF delegates appointed from the congressional
districts of the several Southern States And after
some of the States had seeded, they sent COMMITS
sioners to the others to secure similar acIion.-
Some of these commissioners, am informed came
to North-Carolnia and were received at this CAPT.
tai. No gloomy horrors of an alliance seem to have
troubled gentlemen in those days. But now, when
We speak of peace, and propose that more than one
State shall join in most respectful and legitimate
request directed to the President gentlemen become
wonderfully sensitive to the horrors of an imaginary
alliance between the States.
The "minority report intimates that the passage
of these resolutions might give "ald and comfort
to our enemies, strengthen their hands and to
inspire them with renewed energy" The promul-
CATION of such reason, assigned to influence the
action Of this Senate, is far more likely 70 give
"aid and comfort" than anything contained in the
resolutions upon the table. Who is it that is likely
to be swerved from the path of duty by the fear
that his enemy might interpret his action into a
| confession of weakness cowardice? Not he who
is conscious of strength, and confident in the sue.
cess Of righteous cause. Timidity betokens
weakness. nervous apprehension of what an
enemy may possibly think betrays temper far
different from that manly defiance which character
| ICES the action of him who is conscious of hia
might, and dare pursue his own ways regardless "a
his enemy's thoughts Our revolutionary fathers
were not troubled with such timid forebodings-
They did not wait for England to propose confer.