The New York herald., 1865-03-25

A""'i* A"'v" "~o oseo1ys "hhShoS """ ~"s snu tuoJ
30 lower
The Peace Question.
President Lincoln has gone down TO nc
front. 1t is given out tiat his object Is little
rest from the prosecutions Of Office seekers and
spoi!smea; but still it is surmiscd that his real
business is a consultation with General Grant
on the peace question. We are also inclined
to the opinion that before his return from the
James river the President will have enlarged
the discretionary powers Of General Grant In
reference to tho terms which may be granted
to General Lee in the capitulation Of his army
and IN behalf OF peace Meantime we are
called upon briefly to consider the arguments
advanced by the Tribune in favor Of an Execu-
tive proclamation to the people of the rebel
lious States, clearly defining the terms and
the advantages which win be granted them
with their submission to the Union.
: We have contended that all the inducements
in this direction that President Lincoln could
offer in . new proclamation have already been
offered in his past prochmations, and in his
overtures to the rebel commissioners at the
late Hampton Roads peace conference. We
bolieve, moreover, that tho masses Of the peo-
pie and Of the armies Of the rebellious States
arc not only ready but anxious to end the war
on the simple basis of submissien. The emily
difaculty is with their leaders, political and
military; but with the chief Of these (JeR
Davis) out of the way, all the rest would, doubt
less, soon recognize the now strongly prevail
ing current Of Southern public opinion, and let
1t take its course.
As we understand the Tribune, il wants pro-
clamation in behalf of theae leaders Of the
rebellion, giving them some greater induce
ments for submission than those OF having
'their necks stretched and their effects divided
among strangers" In behalf Of JEFF. Davis and
his ruling associate oonspirators we have on
several occasions heretofore urged upon the
President the advantages Of an offer to them,
embracing their transportation and subsistence
to the Mexican frontier, If they will only con-
sent, in behalf Of peace, to cross the boundary
and stay on the other side. Looking to the
Monroe doctrine, we think this peace Offering
would be an excellent thing, especially as some
of the leading rebel diplomats and politicians
have indicated o desire for peace upon the
basis Of coalition against Maximilian. We
have, therefore, no objection to an Executive
proclamation embodying our Mexican propo-
sition, because we think the rebel leaders
would accept it Do what we may in the way
of an amnesty, there will be no peace for them
among the masses Of the Southern people with
their return to the Union.
This offer ofa free passage to Mexico would
be something new and attractive to the rebel
leaders. In presenting them door Of escape,
with prospect ofa brilliant career before them
In new, broad and beautiful country, the
President at this crisis IN their fortunes would
not sneak In vain But II the Tribune LOOKS to
broader concessions, Il looks for what the Pre-
sident, even in the exercise Of his military dis
cration, can hardly undertake to offer. Mr..
Lincoln sticks to hs emancipation eiicn, and
he cannot set aside the treason penalties and
connscation acts Of Congress- Their Tevoea-
ton by Congress b first demanded, In view Of
manifesto to the Southern people exempeng
them from the pains and penalties of these
laws.
Instead Of proclamation to the Southern
people, therefore, we would suggest the call d
o special session Of Congress for the purpose
Of On authoritative and specific declaration to
the people Of the rebellious States Of the large
and liberal amnesty with which they win be
welcomed back to the Union, and 10 theiz
equal rights under the constitution b not
this the bess course that can be pursued under
the circumstances; Has not the time arrived
for It's adoptipni
OUR ARMIES, EAST AND wEsr-The Army o.
the West under General Sherman, has obtained
much Sclos by ks brilliant services In that
region Of country; its splendid march through
Georgia, its capture Of Savannah, Columbia
and Charleston, a. well as ib more recent con.
quering marches, which have brought the stub
born Stateo4 South Carolina TO her knees.
They deserve all the credit which they have
got; but people may suppose that Sherman's
army Is composed exclusively Of Western men,
which Is not 80, any moro than Grants army on
the James is filed by men from the Eastern and
Atlantic Statea There are many Eastern regi
mcnts In the Army Of the West, and many
Western regiments in the Army Of the Potomac
and the James. The fact Is, that both armies are
homogeneous; and the valor Of no particular
section Is represented In either more conspicu.
ously than another. The world never pro.
duced more gallant hosts than our armies Of
the West and the East In both armies Massa.
chusetts and Ohio, New York and Tennessee
Indiana and Maine, Illinois and New Hamp.
shire have their representatives, standing
shoulder TO shoulder IN generous rivalry and
winning equal honor. The Army Of the West
has Of late been favored with more opportuni.
tiou Eox fl,o dianlau nf ssllanixx ,xhila The