, 1865-01-14
The blair Mission to IGIchmoud,
TFrom the n r Tribunal

VIC did not feel at liberty to state what VIC
have known for some days with regard to Mr..
Francis 2. Blair's second journey toward
Richmond; !; but, since other journals have
been permitted to. receive and print tele-
graphic advices thereof from Washington,
there can be no reason for Withholding the
truth that Mr. Blair started afrrsh last Satur-
day for Richmond, and is probably by this
time q scjourner HI that city. Ifthere be any
who wish to believe that lis sole object ia tho
recovery Of certain tit1e-deets and other pa-
rers taken from his house at Silver Spring
when the rebels had Temporary possession Of
It Inst summer, they are at liberty to do 50
but we cannot share their conviction. Mr.,
Blair certainly lost documents on that occa-
sion which he desires 10 recover; but his visit
to Richmond has other and higher ends.
And, knowing what we do Of the passes with
which he Was provided, We cannot sec how b..
can have encountered any impeachment on
either side Of the hostile lines.
We have already stated that no one on our
side was responsible for the failure of his for.
mcr essay. The simple fact Is that, having
sent his Letters through the lines, he waited
at Gen. Grants headquarters nearly four days
without receiving anNaresponse; when, sup
posing none would be made, lie retraccd his
steps to Washington. He had not long left City
Point, on his aetu.n, when the ncedtnl au.
1horixatinn and sate-conduct came down from
Richmond. They did not oyertake him till
after his return to Washington.
Let Ms Ayagatu that We cherish no expect
alton Of pence aA an immediate result Of this
overture We presume Mr.. Blair visits Rich
mond only as IN eminent and honored citi-
gen, who Is familiar with the views and enjoys
the confidence Of tie President, aud who is
sincerely dcsirous Of stauncl1ng the currentof
ftate1nal bloodshcd If that shall he found CON-
p,tibla> with the duty Of the loyal millions
and their Cover nment 10 their country and to
pos,erity. He does not I've icfet) 20 clothed
with power to mako peace, but authorized to
ASCERTAIN and competent to judge whether
any true peace Is now attalnahle. and this,
VIC presume, he will be able to do. ..
What We hope from this effort Is . clearer
understanding, especially ut the South, Of the
grounds Of difference between the contending
Tartics-tbe reasons which on either side ore
held to compel continuance Of the strife
the ends for which further bloodshed Is deem
ed necessary. These concluslyel5 ascertain
cd and definitely set before the people, we
look for developments throughout the South.
and especially In North Carolina, which will
render a persistence in the rebellion unaEAl-
Ing II not impossible
Or course, We have no knowledge of what
will be proposed on one side or the other.
The end VIC contemplate {as VIC observed on q
former occasion) will he subserved rather than
defeated By the Confederate chiefs riding the
ligh horse and Insisting on terms that arc ut
terly, glaripgly inad1nissiblc, Hence, VIC shall
be ltss annoyed than many others on learning
that MF. Hairs mission has wholly failed, and
tllat he is returning Dictated 10 Washington.
We have very little hope OF hearing, for the
present, anything else.