Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-01-14


a representative of one branch of the republican
party. and It's editor. Mr.. GREELEY. has recently
conferred With the leading spirits of the party in
power at the national capital. upon the pecihca-
ton of the country lie expresses the convic
sior most decidedly that there is something not
only. but good deal in the proposed visit of Mr..
r. BLAIR to the rebel authorities at Richmond.
While not authorized to make peace according
to Mr.. GREELEY. Mr. BLAIR Is allowed to talk
with the rebel authorities for the purpose Of as
certaining upon what conditions. if any, they
would be willing to terminate the controversy.
This view of the visit mission Of Mr.. BLAIR
il controverted by The New York Times, anoth-
er representative of the republican party.
IL Is evident from this discussion or contro-
versy between these leading organs of the party
in power. whom ii ia fair to suppose should be
in possession Of some of the secrets of the admin
istration THEY represent. that the means of at
tsnng All early peace. stoppage OF the ex-
hausting war, has at least been matter of earn
est consideration with those responsible for the
conduct Of our public affairs The remark of
Mr. LINCOLN at the commencement of his ad-
ministration will be remembered in this connec-
ton. Referring to war as the arbiter of our ma
tional OF sectional differences, he remarks, in
substance, latter much fighting and not much
gain on either side, the very question then in dis
pute. terms of intercourse, will again be upon
US To solve this question, terms OF inter
course. appears to be the object OF Mr.. BL.In's
visit to Richmond.
Its also reported that commissioners, upon
the part Of the insurgent states. have been ap-
pointed to confer with our authorities as to terms
OF settlement. This may be true. But is it
probable, unless the necessity be upon
them, that the states or people ia rebellion
upon any terms that our authorities will be will
ling to accept IL the rebel authorities have
arrived at the conclusion that they cannot much
longer successfully resis. arms, in that event
they may accep, Of he best terms they can ob-
tain; but without the conviction that their cause
il hopeless, We hare but little confidence that
these peace negotiations will be successful in
terminating the war. In this connection We
give the comments of The Times and Tribune
upon the reported peace efforts, 40 that each
reader may for himself judge their value:
The New York Times opens It's batteries on
the venerable peace seeker thus:
Z" We trust there is no truth in the renewed
rumor that Mr. f L. Blair has gone 10 Rich.
mond for the purpose of talking with the rebel
authorities about peace. No good can possib y
come of such mission, and II may interfere
more or less inuriously with the natural pro-
- shaf.r til. .Ia 1act
peace. The government. has up to this time
held precisely the right position in refusing 10
have anything whatever to do with the conieder
ate authorities, or their agents, which should in
volve, directly or indirectly, any recognition OF
their claim, 10 represent the people OF the south
ern states We trust il will hold this position to
the end Peace. when IL comes, must not come
as concession from JEFF. Davis. or through him
as the agent of an organized community. To adj
NIT his rightful power to make peace, is to ad-
init his rightful power TO make war: and this is
substantially. and TO all practical intents and
purposes, a recognition of the nation of which he
claims to be the executive bead. None but ma
tional authorities can wage war or make peace
and the moment we enter into negotiations with
the rebel government Cor terms of peace that
moment we have actually and legally conceded
everything for which they have been making
war"
We presume no one is unfamiliar with thi:
kind OF argument; but we write for class who
do not take assertions OH trust. but ask, ART
they teasonabel Might not the very opposit,
be asserted with much plsusibility and truth
We have no patience with this wretched scare
crow of recognition" If We have not recog
nixed the rebels organized community
by alo sing them 10 beleaguer the national me
tropolis fer nearly year on q stretch. and ono,
or twice threaten its capture We surely need no
be afraid Of recognizing them by letting plaiI
old man, who holds no office and desires none
90 dowr 10 Richmond and talk 10 the confederat,
chiefs there assembled 10 the possibility Of az
early pacifca,ioa OF our country. We should
avoid Richmond, If animated by purpose like
Mr. B,air's, simply because We have no hop,
that any acceptable peace can there be attained
but We should have no shadow OF the fear thai
haunts the breast OF The Times. Are we mis-
taken in our impression that the editor OF that
journal not long since contemplated visit "a
Richmond himself in quest of peace. and that he
failed to go only because the president withheld
the needed ASSENT
H,w IS Mr. Blair's visit to interfere with the
natural progress OF eventsl" Ii Is not proposed
IN any quarter that military operations shall be
suspended in Difference thereto, nor me advance
of our armies ia any quarter delayed. How
then, il peace to be postponed by simply sscer
and. il IL can be, on what termsl
But We are told that 1.-The moment we enter
into negotiations with the rebel government for
terms OF peace, We have actually and legally
conceded everything for which they have been
making war" If that were so. no party 10 a
Lawsuit should ever attempt 20 settle il out OF
court, IS that would coRcede his adversary ;
right 70 verdict. But history is "a decided as
common sense in negatlving this monstrous pro
position. which. II sound. would only prove the
necessity OF ascertaining, by some such informal
visit as Mr. BiaiT's. What terms Of peace could
be made before sending accredited commission
ers to make il We all know that George III
sent authorized commissioners 10 treat for al
adjustment of our difficulties az the very ortset
of the revolution, aud that they held confer
ence With deputst.on from congress not far
from this city. Who ever imagined or pretend
ed that the king by that conference conceded our
indePen.;encey AL know that he did nothing of
the sort
The Times proceeds to repEobate volunteer
and accredited diplomacy. and 10 speak of its
failure 10 several instances. among them that
Of ''the crcdul0us philanthfopist OF The Tti-
bune" We beg leave to remind it that said phi
ianthropists diplomacy neither volunteer"
nor accredited. add tina; il had 10 shadow OF
purpose aside from that OF bringing "accredi-
Ell representatives of the rebe powes face TO
face With the executive OF the United States, bv
whom alone. aud not by any volunteer or 9th
sut1fantiran1-< he fAssta4 20 80