New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-02-11
THE RIVAL ACCOUNTS OF THE
PEACE CONFERENCES.

of doubledealing or any want OF good iaiih In
the action of our Government lie does not
even say that he had been led to cherish hopes
that his oyeyturcs would have been more cor
daily received or his enjoys more successful.
His Message is more remarkablcfor what it with
holds than for what it reveals; but it is neither
violslt nor remarkably bitter, and we cannot
regard it as intended to close the door TO Peace.
His speech at the mass meeting in the African
Church is harsher in spirit, and commits himself
fully against any and every form of reunion;
vet, While he talks of the "insolepce' Of Mr..
Lincoln's requirements, and pledges himself to
stand or fall with the Confedcracy, he vindi-
Gates Mr.. Linccln's honesty aud iraniness by
stating that
"In tie notes which passed between Mr.. Lincoln and
hin self in the matter there was marked difference
He president Davis spoke always Of two countries.
NJ. LiHC0a sposo Of common country lie o. conid
have no common Couptry with the Yankees. His life
was bound no with the Confederaoyi and II any man
supposed that under any circumstance he coud be an
agent Of the recqnsuuction o. he Union ne nJslo1A
every element Of lis nature. With the Coniederaey he
would live or die
This is fair to Mr.. Lincoln and frank as to his
own determination. 1t settles that any Peace
which shall be made in the interest of the Union
must be made with some one else than Davis
The Confederate conterees in their report ex-
libit q corresponding mixture of candor and
reserve. They state that the conference "con.
tinued for several hours, and was both full aud
explcit;" yet they strongly conceal any and
every proposition made therein by themselves.
Is not this astOunding' These gentlemen
sought the interview. They spent two days in
efforts to penetrate our lines. They eagerly
sought permission TO visit Washington. When
met by Gov. Seward at Fortress Monroe, they
insisted on being brought face to face with the
President, who thereupon went down TO meet
them. They promptly came together, and had
four or five hours free, earnest, familiar con-
versation. The Richmond E1auincr says;
Bob LasQP q M SGHard are aessyseS :; &
with tie commissioners. In parting.
seward shook hands with Mr. Hunter with eaqsioa.'
He said God bless yon Hunter and asked TO DC 10.
membered TO ell his old friends in the South.
So much for the pretense that there was
aught Of hautour, or assumption, on insult, in
the bearing or language of Mr.. Lincoln or Gov.
Seward. They stand acquitted of dupliGity on
the testimony of Jefferson Davis; they are vim
dicated from all lnputation Of discourtesy by
the evidence Of Stephens, Hunter and Camp
bell.
What excuse is there, then, for the frantic,
ferocious, screechy inyectiyes, the Bcrsorker
rage and fury, Of the Richmond journals
Compare and sit the rival Out not conGcting)
reports OF this memorable conference, aud say
whether the frothing at the mouth Of the Con-
federate OracleS is not plainly fetch '--mcre
shect.iron thunder, designed to sour the milk Of
human kindness in the breasts Of the Southern
Whites, confcssedly discouraged, weary Of
slaughter and yearning for peace
To suppose that the Southern masses will not
see through these simulated heroics, this
STACEY performance, is to rate their discern.
ment very low indeed.
Messrs. Stephens & Co. come 10 hold near
Fortress Monroe an interview which they had
formally solicited. They come ayowedly in the
interest OF Peace. OF course, they tactly bat
clearly promised to submit propositions which
they honestly thought conducive to the end in
question. Uhere arc those prOpositionsl Why
do they not sot forth at least their substance
Tie world has 4 ri ght to know that they acted
in good faith, not crossing the lines as Rebel
intriguers or spies, but truly intent on peace,
aud submitting propositions which they thought
should he acccded 10.
Mr.. Linc0ln's Message contrasts favorably in
many respects TO the cOunter.reyeletions yet
we think he has been more reticent than was
polite. Better have told all; be could well af-
ford IL. We are forced 10 conclude that the
Confederate contorees asked that all that had
passed, pro and con, iii tho way OF propositions
and coanter-prcpostions should be rubbed out
ard treated as If it had never been.
1t is settled, we presume, that We can have
10 peace with the ConEederacy; but il does not
follow that none can be medo with the STAKES
On the contrary, we believe that
q majority of the people Of those States are TO-
Gay ready for pacifcation whereof tie Union |
shall be the cornerstone, with Liberty for All In.
scribel proudly and truly over its porch. Aud
50, avoiding the ferocty, the frenzy and the bad
aste, OF oar Richmond cotenporaries, we shall |
work on for such Peace, even though It be at.
Ginabe only..through further War. trusting that
Is blessed advent cannot he far OFT.
...sa.-s. |,
McsicAL DsBUT Mr.. Strskosoh introduces
o 'ho AmoficsnIinuslosl void Monday evening, at