Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1865-01-30

III have arrived at critical point IN ON con
w troversy with the Government at ''"- = o..
aud the people 1t represents. Commissioners have
l. rbi. Caritsi for that OF the enemy under quasi
invitation nom President Lincoln, 10 discuss the
possibility 6f adjusting tue matters in dispute and
ending the war. II is of vital Importance that We
should lust now remember that We are dealing with
an exceedingly artiul and thoroughly INSCRIPTIONS
Toe IL isuot impossible that this IS an honest and
sincere endeayor their part TO terminate the war,
and that such may be the result-but It Is not sale
for o., 10 taiuk SO. On the contrary while our com
missioner, should make the most earnest efforts O.
secure satisfactory peace. and while our people
should SECOND these Efforts with their prayers, II Is
lust the time above all others when We shoUd put
forth every rxert.ou and strain every muscle IN
preparation Tor continued war. IL the enemy desire
Isace these 55rts viii not diminish their desire II
rGs~ intend a snare This is the way 10 foil them.
We confess with regret that We see hui little evil
deuee. ard indulge but the faute,t hope that they
are rrepatejI1 accord Us such terms as we could
tbiuk Of accepting. II has been but little while
since by The reelection ct Lincoln decided ma
io-;,y Of ueu declared against ANY peace except
sucl as sb1gi be dictated 10y couquerors TO tie van
su.suej Nothing has occurred since 10 moliN
their as. s,iop but much 10 strengthen their con-
viction tnat they can sUbiUgate u.s. Even the party
opposed to IS0colus reelection only talked OF ne
gouation and craftsmanship as means Of restoring
the Union. Tue visit If our Commissioners may be
permitted only for the purpose fsatisc all parties
there, that no peace can be made with except ON
the bsssof separation. Many of the late support
ers Of eClelu are pledged when satisfied Of this,
10 the most unreleutUg way Their accession to the
administration party would relieve Lincoln OF many
embarras,meGts and give hirf flll swing.
Nareo,.r. call for three hundred thousand fresh
troops is now peedng. They come in slowly, uotwith
stauiiug they have been assured by the Tribune and
other leading papers that il is not at all likely the,
Will ever have 20 IRE or face gun. The actual
peudsucy Of negotiations llr pelce-;he declaration,
pe-hsps, OF . truce, would be powerful hacker 10
the promise th-t they III no; have 20 fight large
bounty and few weeks OF barracks life, only
would ID a temp,s.on too strong for the multitudes
Of ncuev..ss iilcrs aid in migrants in tie North
20 res.s-. Seward may believe that he can, o.
one pret.Nt OF another, keep our Commissioners iu
Washington til an The recruit, needed iu tlas
way oyt..lsd. IL is well torecollect how lie played
with su6 deceived the Commissioners that visited
Washington in March, 1851, keeping them there
whole u.nth, whilea naval expedition was prepar-
ing for the relief Of Fort sumter and pledgiGg him.
self tie whole 'ime thu; Sumter shoad be evacuated
Judge Campbell, al least viii not he apt 70 forget
what ocea,Isj on that o.cssi%.
knowing, tl.H, that SIC have a WHY ana uuprn-
cplei eueng 70 deal with, We repeat that the only
safe course CO. be pursued is 70 SET 20 work imme-
d.atsl ana with all possible energy, preparing TOR
the Spring campaign. L peace should intervene,
these preparations win have done 10 harm il war
should continue, ,hey win fit as 10 face it,. If we
permit ourselves to be deceiyej aud thrown oil our
guard, growing weaker daily while they grow
stronger, we shall reap harvest Of disasters.
The President has done well in the selections he
has made OF Commissioners. The choice OF Nj
Stephens shows aproper regard for that sentiments
IN the country least satisfied with his administra-
lion. SIR. Hunter represents the theories and
d0.triGss on which the secession OF these States
vas based while Judge Campbell may be taken as
the exponent Of those shades Of opinion that lie be-
tween the extremes. They are gentlemen Of such
character AMI ability IS to giee dignity to the great
mission on which they have gone, and OF such fair
ness aud moderation 20 furnish assurance to
the enemy that we are acting iSgood faith and with
'AL~SAN NSsAAE " a~NNusAlel eel4'dNelis pttAAc-
1neht. The President, say, has done well in
this matter. We recognize in the selections he has
made that Difference for the judgment ana wishes Of
The people that should always govern the head OF
representative government Continuing to act in
this spirit, hope that he viii take all needful
steps for the contingency OF the failure OF negotia
tious. We have not set heard that he had called
Gsneral lee TO the position provided for him BY
Congress, nor that he has restored General John
ton to the command ofthe army OF Tennessee, as
urged upon him 50 imposing form. The cabi-
~ with one exception, remains unchanged. The
buFeauN OF subsistence rption, &C., SC. con
tinue under the management Of officials who do
not command desirable share ofpublc confidence
The Office of the Adjutant and Inspector General is
not Distinguished for energy and system. In these
aud IN many other things the President may do
much,to strengthen tLe cause aud reanimate the
people. Let him not weary nor halt IN the work OF
reform, AMI the country win again hail him with ac-
ciamatoA5 ofeEthg,issn aud love.