Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-02-08
.Qtlt0rap9lt,
Result Of the Peace Conferences
Richmond Papers Belligerent.

| New YORK, Feb. 7.-The Herald has an
editorial to which itgives prominence, say
ing The facts stated in this article are de-
rived from such sources as TO entite them
to implicit belief. They are correct beyond
the possibility of mistake. After referring
to the motives which induced Mr.. Blair to
visit Richmond, it continues: Before Mr..
Blair left for home Jefferson Davis address,
ed to him letter expressing strong de-
sire for peace, and offering to waive all
formalities in settling our difficulties on the
basis Of two Governments. The letter was
adroitly couched in such terms as to hasty,
careless reader might conceal the cloven
loot or cloven Government, which on close
inspection was plainly visible at the bot
tom OF it. 1t seemed to be a cunning effort
to place the Odium of continuing an un-
necessary war OH Mr.. Lincoln. The Presi-
dent speedily sent Blair back, with assur-
ances that he also, was desirous of peace,
and in substance that, without sticking for
technicalities, he would listen to what any
messenger might have to say, if sent BY
jeff. Davis or any other prominent rebel,
provided the necessity of preserving our
own as the one Government of the whole
United States. were first conceded. Thus
far in this diplomatic game Mr.. Lincoln
had decidedly the better of Davis.
1t would not do for the shaking Confed-
eracy to leave the matter thus. The astute
Mr.. Stephens was called to the aid of Mr..
Davis; long conference was held, and it
was determined that Mr.. Stephens, Judge
Campbell and Mr.. Hunter, should proceed
North to try their joint hand at mendng
matters. They entered Grants lines OIL the
assurance that they came on the basis of
Mr.. Lincoln's instructions to Mr.. Blair; but
when the President and Mr.. Seward met
them it turned out that all they wanted was
an armistice, the consideration of the MAIN
tainance of the Union to be put off to more
convenient season, when their stomachs
should be full of the fat to be derived from
our land, and their military stores replen-
ished. Mr.. Lincoln again informed them
that the preservation of the Union must be
considered precedent to any other arrange
ment and that he would never consent to
but one cessation of hostilities, and that
would be the final one. Four hours of
good-natured talk ensued, but it all resulted
in nothing more than we have already stat
ed.
The truth is that the rebels are very hard
ly pressed by our armies. They see that
by the sword they must perish, aud so they
have sought to save themselves by negotia-
tion and diplomacy; but in this Mr.. Lincoln
has shown himself more than match for
them. They have found him courteous,
but firm and intlexible. He has now salts
fled the clamorOus peace men of the North,
who have pertinaciously insisted that soft
words would melt the hearts of the obdll-
rate rebels. Talk is of no use. All that
remains is to fight it out, and the quicker
the better.
The Tribune says the rebels required of
the President immediate and unqualified
cessation of hostilities, leaving in abeyance
all questions concerning the integrity of the
Union and the rightfnl authority of its gov
ernment over the people of the several
States; which the President courteously,
but promptly and decidedly apprised them
that he was neither authorized nor disposed
to concede, and thus the conference ter
minated.
The World argues that the conference was
not failure, by showing that the rebel
Commissioners we're not authorized to pro-
pose any terms, but rather merely to have
an interview for information, so as to ena-
bic the Richmond Government to decide
whether a peace conference is expedient.
Latest Richmond papers are filled with
belligerent editorials denouncing reunion
and claiming that the army is for fighting it
out. They had not yet heard of the result
of the conference. They rejoice greatly
over Lees promotion. The Sentinel says
no more rebel Treasury notes are to be
Issued. The Wing says that Bragg has
been set aside as utterly worthless.