The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-06-05
The Conference at Niagara.

comment at the present time.
That our readers may fully under
stand a matter, the particulars OF which
have probably escaped the memory o
most of them, we reproduce Mr.. Gree
ley's letter to President Lincoln:
New YORK, July !, 1864.
DEAR Sill venture to enclose you a
letter and telegraphic dispatch that
received yesterday from our irrepres-
sible friend, Colorado Jewett, at
Niagara Falls. think they deserve at
ten,ion. Of course | do not indorse
Jewetts positive averment that his
friends at the Falls have full powers
from J. D., though | do not doubt that
he thinks they have. | let that state
ment stand as simply evidenclng the
anxiety OF the Confederates every,
where for peace. SO much IS beyond
doubt.
And therefore ! venture to remind
YOU that our bleeding, bankrupt,
almost diving country also longs for
peace-shudders at the prospect OF
fresh CONSUMPTION, of further wholesale
devastatiOns, and of new rivers OF
human blood; and a wide spread con-
viction that the government and its
prominent supporters are not ANXIOUS
for peace, and do not improve proffered
opportunities to achieve it, is doing
great harm now, and is morally certain,
unless removed, to do far greater in the
approaching elections.
1t is not enough that we anxlously
desire a true and lasting peace. We
ought 20 demonstrate and establish the
the truth beyond cavil. The fact that
4. II. Stephens was not permitted a
wear ago to visit and confer with the
authorities at Washington has done
harm, which the tone of the late
National Convention at Baltimore Is
not calculated to counteract
entreat YOU in your own time aud
manner, to submit overtures for pacltica'
ton TO the Southern insurgents, which
the impartial must pronounce frank and
generous.
If only with view to the momentous
election soon 10 occur in y orth Carolina,
aud of the draft TO be enforced IN the
free States, this should be done at once.
would give the safe conduct required
10y the ENJOYS at Niagara, upon their
paroI, to avoid observation, and TO re
frain from all communication with their
svmpathizers in the loyal States; but
YOU NAV see the reasons for declining 1t.
But whether through them or otherwise,
DO not, entrcat you, fail to make the
Southern people comprehend that you,
and all OF H. are anxious for peace,
aud prepared TO grant liberal terms. l
venture 10 suggest the following.
PLAN OF ADJUSTMENT.
|. The Union is restored, and de-
clared perpetual.
>. Slavery is utterly and forever abol-
ished throughout the same.
3. A complete amnesty tor all pOIIt'
ical offrnses, with a restoration of all
the inhabitants OF each State to all the
privileges OF citizens Of the United
4
States.
/. The Cnou to pay tonr hundred
million dollars ($iOo, 900, OOO) in five per
cent. United States stock, TO the late
slave States loyal and secession alike,
to be apportioned pro rata, according to
their slave population respective, 10y
the census OF 1860, in compensation for
the losses of their loyal citizens by the
abolition of slavery. Each State to be
entitled to It's quota upon the ratification
bv its Legislature of this adjustment.
The bonds u be at the absolute dis
posal of the Legislature aforesaid.
-. The slave States to be entitled
henceiorth to representation in the
House on the basis OF their total
instead Of their Federal population, the
whole now being Tree.
&C. A National Convention to be as
semhIed rs soon a. they may be, to rat
irv this adjustment aud make such
changes in the Constitution Is may he
deemed advisable.
Mr.. President, | fear you do not
realize how intently the people desire
any peace consistent with the national
integrity and honor, and how joyously
they would hail its achievement, and
bless lis authors. With United States
stock worth but forty cents in gold per
dollar, and drafting about 10 commence
on the third million of Union soldiers,
! can this he wondered al?
II do not say that just peace is now
attainahle, though | believe it to be so.
But | do say that frank offer by you
10 the insurgents Of terms which the
impartial say ought to he accepted, will
at the worst, prove an immense and
sorelv needed advantage 10 the national
cause. 1t may save us from d
| Northern instruction.
Yours truly,
HORACE GREELEY.
Hon. A. Lincoln, President, Wash
ingtou, D. c.
"P. S.-Even though it should bt
deemed unadvisable to make an Offer
of terms 10 the rebels, | insist that il
anv possible case it is desirable that any
offer they may be disposed to make
should be received, and either accepted
or rejected. beg you invite those now
at Niagara to exhibit their credential:
and submit their ultimatum. II. c.
The following embodies the actor
taken by the President on Mr.. Greeley
letter:
EXECUTIVE MANSION, !
WASHINGTON, July IS, 1864. }
| To Whom II Nay Concerp-Any prop
osition which embraces the restoration
Of peace, the integrity of the whole
Union. and the abandonment Of slavery
and which comes by and with ar
authority that can control the armie:
| nn,r of var AGAINST the limited States