Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-01-17

they meet together. u.
+. DO the commissioners tell before
/ hand, all their terms, or do they use diplo-
macy-each trying to see what are. the
best terms to be had2 20,
P. Oh it would be very imprudent to
show their hands. They keep the instruc-
tions to themselves, and each side strives
for the best terms: as in our treaty with
Britain in the Revolution. Our commits
sioners were instructed to contend for in
dependence, the navigation of the Mississ-
ippi, and the fishery of the ocean but,
if they could not get all, then, they might
yield the two last-and, by skillful diplo-
macy, they got all.
F. So that, our policy would be to claim
all we want, but give instructions to yield
none essentials
P. Certainly.
F: And the policy on the other side
would be the samel
I. l suppose so.
F. Then, might not negotiation result in
something different from what is ostensi-
bly, demanded?
P. 1t might be so.
F. Might not the enemy yield the point
OF our independence, if we would yield
some non-cssential2
L. l don't think he would.
T. But might he not
T. | won't admit it; because, if he had
desired to do so, he might have done it
long ago.
F. Do You think he conld have done it
with propriety, except IN a negotiations.
p. Certainly he could.
+. Did you not say in your last message,
that he could notl
P. Never, show me where.
+. Did you not say, that the enemy
could not recognize US, until other nations
had recognized usl .
P. Well, yes, 1 believe 1 did. But, 1
said that to abuse other nations for not
recognizing us.
f. But still, you would not render your
self ridiculous, I beg pardon) by saying
what is not true, for the qualification of
abusing other nations
| z. But, how are we to get at treaty,
When the enemy refuses to treat2
+. thought you said he had treated,
about various matters.
2. Yes, but not about peace.
F. And, You have never proposed to
treat abont peace.
L. No, nor ever will.
F. Why not!
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
same9
P. Yes, repeatedly.
F.. Well then, it is not only not degrad-
ing, but highly honorable.
2. 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 talk idly.
P. have said it so the enemy could
hear me, and they know my wishes.
+. 1t is manly to talk to an enemy, but
to talk at him is ridculous-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." And. 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 be 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 for 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 wha
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 his readiness to treat on some
terms-his terms. And is equally incon.
sistent with our repeated assertions, thai
he is as tired of the war as we are, and as
much worsted by it-upon the very brink
of ruin. Indeed, that being true, the par
of wisdom in us would be, to approach the
enemy, with boldness, with offers of peaoe
as necessary for he's benefit, rather than
for ours. We should act the part of q
conquering general before besieged city
VINO QemanuS SURRENDER LOT Ine sake o.
humanity to the besieged; offering term:
50 liberal, as to ensure their acceptance
But instead Of that, we stand trembling
before the gate, with denunciation and
buster to conceal our weakness, and afraid
10 sousd the trumpet for a parley, lest we
should be driven awayin disgrace. Again
to refuse to offer terms imports one of two
things-either that we have the advantage
and are disposed to press it to cruelty, OF
else, that we are at disadvantage, and fear
that the offer will be attributed to weak
ness, whereas, an offer of terms has but
one Specification that we are in the con-
dition to demand Justice. and tn nractice