The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-03-28
THE LAST EFFORT FOR A PEACE
CONFERENCE.

President Davis, in a recent Message to Congress
makes the following statement:
! ''It has become certain beyond all doubt OF
question, that we must continue this struggle to
successful issue, or must make abject and uncon
ditonal su omission to such terms it shall please
the cobqueror to impose on US after our surrender
If possible doubt could exist after the conference
between our commissioners and M Lincoln, as re-
Gently reported to you, it would be dispelled by
recent occurrence, of which it is proper that you
should be Informed.
| Congress will remember that, In the conference
above referred to, commissioners were informed
that the Government of the United States would
not enter into any agreement or treaty whatever
with the Confederate States, nor with any Single
State; and that the only possible mode fobiaihing
peace was by laying down our arms, disbandihg
forces, and yielding unconditional obedience to
the laws of the United States, inclading those
passed for the coDfscaton of our property and the
constitutional amendment for the abolition Of
slavery 1t will further be remembered, that Mr.
Lincoln declared that the only terms which
hostilities could cease those stated in his
message of December last 10 which we were in
formed that, in the event of our pentent submis-
sion he would temper justice with mercy, and that
the question whether would be governed as de-
pendent territories, or permitted to have repre-
sentation n their Congress, was one which he
could promise nothing, but which would be decided
by their Congress after our submission had been
accepted.
1t has not, however, been hitherto stated to you
that in the course of the conference at Fortress
Monroe, suggestion made by one Of our COM
missioners that the objections entertained by Mr.
Lincoln to treating with the Government of the
Confedcraey, or with any separate State, might be
avoided by substituting for the usual mode OF ne
gotiating through commissioners or other diplo
matte agents the method sometimes employed Of a
military convention to be entered into by the COM
handing generals of the armies Of the two bellig-
erents. This, he admitted was power possessed
by him, though it not thought commensurate
with all the questions involved. As he did not
accept the suggestion when made, he after
wards requested to reconsider bis conclusion upon
the subject Of suspension Of hosilities, which he
agreed to do, but said that he had maturely con-
sdered of the plan, and had determined that it
could not be done.
Subsequently, however an interview with Gen
Lougstreet asked for by Cen Ord, command
ing the enemys Army of the James, during which
General Longstrect was informed by him that there
was possibility Of arriving at a satisfactory ad
justment of the present unhappy difficulties by
means of military convention, and that if Gen.
Lee desired interview on the subject it would
not be declined, provided General Lee had author
ity to act. This communc cation supposed to
be the consequence of the suggestion above
ferred to, and General Lee, according to instruc-
tions, wrote to General Grant, ON the second Of
this month, proposing to meet hin for conference
on the subject, and stating that he was vested with
the requisite authority. General Grants reply
stated that he had no authority to accede to the
proposed conference; that his powers extended
only to making convention on subjects purely Of
a military character, and that General Ord could
only have meant that an interview would not be
refused on any subject on which he (Geu. Grant,
had the right to act.
1t thus appears, that neither with the Confed-
crate authorities, the authorities of any State,
through the commanding generals, will the
Government Of the United States treat or make
any terms or agreement whatever for the cessation
of hostihtes There remains then for US no choice
but to continue this contest to final issue; for
the people of the Confederacy be but little
known to him who supposes it possible they would
consent to purchase, at the cost of degradation
and slavery, permission to live in country garri
soned by their negroes and governed by Off
GERS sent by the conqueror to rule over them"