The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1865-02-21
AMY CoRKEsPoNpEScE OF THE LEpGER
Petersburg, Va Feb. 7. 1865.

Petersburg, Va Feb 7. 1865.
The peace rumors, which few ~ wild
hrs' over the country, awaking anew the
hopes of the pesp.s and army, that an ami
cable adjustment would Le made Of our ex-
isnng difficulties, have linall, come 70 head.
Our Commissioners has returned. brin ginp
with them the conditions offered by tn.
snemy-~heh is nothing less than uncon
dnionsf submission and abolition Of slavery.
These a.re tie only terms Of psac. the
ehemy would entertain, which amounts TO
immediate recognition, by us, of the equal.
tr, social and political. of the negroes, and
nEcond uonal submission, with the pains
and penalties Of rebellion - conf scaiion Of
property and the penalty of death to 80
many as the mercy Of th- usurper may
conine the Psnissnent Thus ends tn.
great peace excl ,enent
We believe what has taken place will
ef,St good for the caa.e it will have 3
tendency to quell those peace factions
springirg up over Tho country, and o:ca
rionaliy manifestiDg itself ia our chief leg
islaifve halls. Having made an honest effort
To "pen negotiations, whereby peace might
bo attained, alike honorable 10 both parties,
aud having met with terms so degrading in
their character and ruinous in their effects.
now that We are fully acquainted with the
evil designs OF the foe, Mould be 10 surren-
der all 10 their mercy-'iberty, property,
ii.-and 10 indurs n failure Of slavery, so
in,olerabl~, tiat would drive us 10 war
again in lsss than six months. However
much We dsHirs peace, these propositions,
so humiiia'ing and degrading to southern
spirit, canuot be entertained.
There were some whU believed honorable
terms of reconciliation and reconstruction
could be obtainsd, aud desired 10 see some
effort in that direction. The effort has
been made by three Of our best state -ncn
and resulted, ~ you have seen, in terms
too insulting 10 DO cUun:enanceo The re
constructionist is required to consent 10 the
social and political equality Of the ne gro
IL the dsgrad ,Iion ot himself aud children
his own in mpovsrishmeni and ruin With
sueha picture held to ~. gazs-tsrns so
unfriendit TO his sy npstliss who can doubt
his future determination TO fight to the last.
There will be- no reconstruct ionisls in these
states when these terms arc read by tho
peopls-uni.y Of purpose will govern them
in the fuiure-thsy will DO again united
aud rally 10 the sapport of Tie cause IS 10
1861. The insulting terms offered u. has
bad the effect o: securing harmony and uni
ting us, Ne one man, in onr holy war for
liberty, self Preservation, state aud inGnid.
ual honor.
The mos, difficult barrier in our way, at
present, is the want of men, To balance The
heavy levies Of he enemy now boing made
prsParator, for the spring esnpaign Oar
army has recruited To avery formidable size,
thsugh IL il not suppo.sd TO be more than
half A. strong. nsm-rically, a. that of ihs
enemy. Congress has bsen adopting meas
urss. looking to he Increase OF arms bear.
rug men. by the ab"Iith.n OF all post quar-.
tersnHs,ers aud conmissasiss. but this, ".
fear. VIII prove Nc inetfsctual ~ the ab ,lish
Deni Of Regimentai qaartermasi.rs--who
if one Of them is in tbs ranks to day, with
his mu.ket, he IL not in Less army. To
come pisiuIy and -qnsrely up 10 the uaih
Ms q how our array shall be recruited, ",
see but, one riem,pt left W 10 fall bacI
upon, Aad tia, clement 10 NOR, eorrss!l,
under State authority than Confederate.
iudepeudence and emancipation 10 fal
prefessbIe 10 sobisgalian and ai,olition. II
recons,r.elisa or utiusatien take place
abolition is just ~ certain to foilow, AZ
surely nc night foHows day. w. have lo.