Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-08-10


might render him useful in acquiring the
information we desired, and feeling that
if the safe conduct was rendered, his wishes
on this subject would be entitled to some
consideration, we permitted the note TO be
seut without correction. It is. however,
incumbent upon me to add that, with all
proper respect for Mr.. Sanders, he was at
no time taken into my confidence, nor I
believe into that of Mr.. Clay. In few
days we received n letter from Mr.. Greeley,
advising us of his arrival at the IntcTna-
tional Hotel, on the Americah side Of the
falls, and rendering us safe conduct to
Washington. and his own escort, upon the
hypothesis that we were duly accredited
from Richmond as the bearers OF PROPOSE
tiOns, looking to the establishment of peace.
and desired to visit Washington in the full
illment of our mission. Mr.. Clay and
myself were SO deeply impressed with the
srave responsibility which would attach to
any action we might take on this commu-
nication, that we telegraphed to Colonel
Thompson to meet lis at st. GATHERINGS and
unite in our deliberations. Whilst | can
only report the reasoning which led my
own mind to its conclusions, yet | may
add that the response which was made to
Greeley received the appreciation of Mr..
Thompson, as well rs Of Mr.. Clay and my
self. Our most obvious course was to
have Informed Mr.. Greeley that he laborcd
under 4 strange delusion, both as to our
character and wishes, and that we could
only meet him as private citizens, and for
an informal Interchange of opinion. This
course, however, as | thought, would have
given to the party now in power in the
United States the means of defending itself
against the charge which was used with
more effect by its political adversaries.
Neither the present nor any other RepuJH-
can administration can secure the same de-
gree of public support in the prosecution
of Il war on policy of conscaiOn and
emancipation, as on policy which looks
simply 10 the restoration of the Union Mr..
Lincoln was reprOachcd with an unwilling
ness TO make peace on any terms short of
the subiugation Of the States Of this con-
lederaCy, and the utter overthrow of their
peculiar social system, and consequent
iudispOsitiOn to ascertain the sentiments
of the Southern people, for fear they might
profess n readiness to submit to the au
thorty of the United States on more rca-
sOnabie conditions. Although no PROPOSE
ton for peace which did not cOncede our
obsolute Independence would have been
entertained by Us for moment it did not
moral and material benefit to be derived
from position they were not honestly cn-
titled to occupy.
Had we returned the answer which has
been suggested, the friends of President
Lincoln could have appealed to the letter
of Mr.. Greeley as Il proof Of his willingness
10 open negotiations on the most liberal
basis. That letter wholly abandoned the
attitude which the Government of the
United States had maintGincd since the
secession of South Carolina, and To which,
according to the declaration of Mr.. Seward
in his recent speech at Auburn, it has re-
turned of "uo negotiations with rebels in
arms 1t expressed readiness 80 open
negotiations, and attempt to settle through
diplomacy the question which has been so
lone in vain Submitted to the arbitrament
Of war II did not even announce that the
restoration of the Union was an indispensa-
bic condition of peace, but prOtltred free
and untrammolcd conference. Had the
correspondence closed at that point, it
must have added strength to the admins
tratiOn of Mr.. Lincoln, and thus increased
its capacity to carry On the war. Within
our own borders. it would have nourishcd
the dclusivc and dangerous hope of COM
promise with our enemy on terms consis-
tent with liberty and self respect. a re-
ncwed pressure would have been brought
TO bear on the President to send commis-
sioners to Washington with the view of
open negotiations, at the hazard Of fresh
indignites tn the conitdcracy.
In framing our reply to the letter Of
Mr.. Greeley, we endcavOrcd to shape it so
as to compel such new developments from
Mr.. Lincoln rs would disclose the true
policy of his administration, or such an
adherence to the position assumed in that
letter as would enable our Government to
act upon it with safety. This purpose was
fully accomplished in calling forth the
celebrated document, addressed ITO whom
it may concern" No paper probably ever
produced so great n revolution Of public
sentiment in the same space Of time. Al
though a gross de!usion as to the extent of
their recent military success has induced
a reaction, and secured the reelection of
Mr.. Lincoln, it is destined to exercise an
enduring influence for good. 1t has per-
maueutly weakened and distracted the
War party of the North, and there is much
reason to hope that before many months
intervene, it will wholly deprive it of Demo-
cratic support However this may be, it
has united and animated our own people
more than any political action of our ad
versaries since the commencement of the
war.
1t has been suggested that the effect Of
this correspondence, by rendering probable
the defeat of Mr.. Lincoln at the polls, was
uniavorable in the Northwest by rep!esslng
a growing tendency to revolution i'll that
quarter. This was, no doubt, to some eX-
tent, its temporary effect, but it has worked
no injury to our cause. The revolutionary
element has been hitherto too feeble to be
employed in our service with any advau-
tage Before the correspondence took place
our saugune friends in that region had
fixed upon various periods of revolutionary
outbreak. but they were deferred at their
own instance from time to time, as the con-
viction gradually dawued upon their own
minds of extent TO which they had eXag-
gcrated their strength. From all the de-
yelopments which have since been made, |
am satisfied that no explosion could have
taken place previous to the election, which
would not have resulted in permanent in
Jury to our cause. The Northwest is not
nov, and, without the systematic and pos
sibly long continued application of the
agencies which control the popular mind,