Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1865-01-13


any peace which the Free enlightened and patriotic
people of the South will say in the majesty of their
power and sovereignty, is honorable and for the
best interests of the nation. They have sustained
the country thus far with their labor their proper
ty, and their blood, and am willing to trust them
in every thing.
Mr.. Speaker, the resolutions now on your table.
and which l am anxious should be taken up for
consideration, propose the best method for bring
ing about negotiations, which have ever seen sug.
gested. The method is plain, simple and direct
and requires immediate action. The messages.
letters and declarations of Mr. Davis and Mr.. Lin.
coin satisfy me that they will never effect nego-
tlatlon for peace Their pride of consistency aad
intense hatred viii always prevent them from act
ing together as peace-makers, ana must the two
nations continue to pour out rivers of blood and
tears to minister to the PRIDE ambition and obstina
cy of their rulers? Successful efforts at nesotia.
ton can only be made by the sovereign States, and
they ought to act together, and act immediately
Inc resolutions before US propose plan of action
which is free from all constitutional objections and
it ought to be gladly accepted by Mr. Davis if he
desires the peace of his country. Ifthere is no con-
sututlonal objection, the States certainly have the
power to act IN this matter. They are the creators
of the general government and have the right to
advise their agent upon all questions of public i'm
portance will enter into no grave constitutional
argument upon this point, as the question has al.
States appointed commissioners to the Peace Con-
gress for the lrpoSe of preventing The State
OF North Carolina while member of the American
Union appointed commissioners to the Montgomery
government TO try to reconcile national difficulties
The cotton States by separate State action, with.
drew from the Union, while under government of
their own choice, and thus brought on war and
they insisted that they had constitutional right
to do so. 1t the States have right to adopt mea-
sureS to make and to prepent odr they certainly
have the power to appoint commissioners to tender
"a conference for negotiating peace"
But it is insisted that Mr. Davis has made three
distinct propositions to the government of the
United States, and they have been rejected. Ad-
NIT this: Is peace worth but three efforts of our
statesmen, when the war has caused three hundred
battles, and the death of three hundred thousand
of our COMPLIMENTARY away our property and
filled the whole land with mourning ? Let us exam
inc the propositions Of Mr.. Davis, and see if they
were of such nature as to promise reasonable
hopes of success. The Montgomery Government
sent three commissioners to Mr. Buchanan. Their
object was not to treat for peace but TO complete Sc
csSsion. Their proposition was in substance if
you will let us alone will then fairly divide with
you the property in territory belonging to the
Unitet States. At the time tbs proposition was
made North Carolina belonged to the American
Union, and eghttenths of her people were of the
opinion that the proposition ought not to be acced-
ed to. This proposition of let alone" so often
made in presidential messages and congressional
manifestoes is the very essence of the ri1ht of &C.
eesSiOn, and its acceptance would be an admission of
the truth of that doctrine. We could not reasona-
bly, expect the Northern people to admit that they
had always been wrong that political question,
unless we also made some concessions
The second proposition made by Mr. Davis, was
contained IN letter sent to Mr.. Lincoln, which has
never been heard from. This letter cannot be dis.
cussed, as 1t contents are unknown. 1t was cer-
tainly very informal way of commencing negota-
tons Nations usually act upon such subjects
through commissioners, and not by letters.
The third and last effort to obtain q conference
with the United States government was made by
Vice President Stephens. At his urgent solcita.
tens he was authorized to go to Washington City
to see if he could not do something to mitigate the
horrors of war; His powers were expressly con-
fined to that subject and had no reference to nego
tatlons Tor peace. The time selected for his mis-
sion, was unfortunate. When he was at Fortress
Monroe seeking conference, General Lee with
a veteran army was in the heart of Pennsylvania
and the shock of his three hundred cannon was
almost shaking the pillars of the Northern Cap-
toll. These three efforts have failed, but still am
not discouraged. President Davis says that he will
make no other proposition. The only alternative
left is for the States to act in the matter. desire
to use all honorable means for obtaining peace.
am as much opposed to submission as the most
rampant war men but desire to avoid even the
possibility of subjugaon by using AL the means in
our power to prevent It
This peace movement of the sovereign States
would give strength hope and confidence, to the
peace men of the North, and soon they would be
able to control public sentiment l. feel sure that
the people Of the North desire peace, if it can be
obtained without defeat and dishonorable conces-
sion. All people know the blessings of peace, and
even the Indians smoke the calumet with joy when
the bloody Ratchet is buried, and the wild war
whoop is flushed.
Let five of the sovereign States of the South
move together in solid column on the mission of
peace and their influence will be irresistible-Will
win the admiration of the world and the blessings
Of heaven.
The nations of Europe have never recognized the
independence of our Oonfederacy, but they acknowl-
edge the sovereignty of the States and will pay great
respect to their action. This peace movement Of
the States will increase our influence in Europe
gain for US the sympathy Of the great masses of the
people and may finally lead to foreign lnterven.
ton. The experiment is certainly worth trial.
Our people at home will be greatly cheered and
encouraged by this effort to negotiate peace, for
they then hope that reason and justice will tri
umph over Infatuated passion and vengeance. They
have earnestly longed for peace. For years it has
filled their thoughts by day, and frightened the Wis
ions of their slumbers. The great popular heart
will swell with new energies and high and deter
mined purposes, Cor it will feel that liberty and
| country may yet be saved from ruin
This peace movement will increase the moral
power of our armies. Our noble soldiers love not
the excitements aud horrors of war. They will re-
joice aud take fresh courage when they know thai
the wise and good men of the land are attempting
to devise of bringing this bioody Struggle to
a close. Increase soldiers hope and confidence
and you increase his powers Of endurance and bis
! courage Let him know that constant and honor
aoe efforts are being made to end his hsrdshps and
| ind uU,ll ha md az
camp fire. He will lie in the cold trenches withou
a murmur and his arm will be stronger in the hou
of battle; for a new hope will be born within hi
heart, and every <mpulse will prompt to duty
He will think that when valor and wisdom unitet
they may bring peace when he can return to hi
home to meet again the loved father and mothe
whose brows have been whitened with the snow
Of age and misfortune again he may clasp tn
noble wife, who with herOism equal to his own
ha. sn long strn roled with nnYertY and snrroM an