New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1872-08-05
POLITICAL MISCELLANY
THE NIAGARA PEACE CONFERENCE.


MENT BY ONE OF THE PRINCIPAL ACTORS.
TO the Editor Of The Lunch6urg Vfrgfnfan.
SIR: have Just seen an article from the col
Of another journal In which statements made
me In private conversation with regard to Mr. Greeley
have been Though unintentonay, yet incorrectly
ported Although reluctant to trude any narrative or
opinion Of mine upon the public justice TO Others leaves
no alternative. My interview with Mr. Greeley at
Niagara Falls In July, 1864 has become historical, but
the circumstances under which 1t held gener-
ally misunderstood. 1t has significance whatever in
relation Mr. Greeley except illustrating the prompt
decision. and solcitude with which he embraced
every opportunity to the interests of peace The
accidental presence at the time In the vicinity OF
the Falls Of Messrs. c. Clay, Jacob Thompson and my
SELF excited much speculation In the North as to our
business. Mr.. Greeley received information TO which
he gave credence. that among other functions
we were invested with authority to open negotiations
looking the establishment Of peace. No word or act
part had given cOuntenance to this Yldelypreya
lent delusion, wero We aware OF 1t being shared by
Mr. Greeley until we reached the Falls Mised by third
parties upon whom VIC had right to rely as to our
wishes and powers he had with much difficulty procured
from Mr. Lincoln authority TO tender safe conduct
to Washington As every attempt OF the Confederate
authorities to open negotiations with the Federal Gov
eminent had been hitherto rudely repused we believed
that through Mr. Greeeys agency great step had been
taken not toward pacfcatiOn. at least III te he OF
humanity II the door thus opened had not subsequently,
been closed Interchange the clVlltes OF
leading men would have folio we'd, which must have in
fused into the conduct Of hOsteS more humane anu
Christian spirit
WHY THE CONFERENCE FArLED.
In dsabusing Mr.. Greeleys mind Of the false impress
sion under which he labOred, We had no hesitation In
declaring that If the circumstances could be commun
Gated to the Confederate Government our knowledge OF
ITS sentiments and opinions authorized us to say that
the requisite powers would be promptly conferred upon
ia OIL Qeuti 10 hat To-
liced passage through the lines to Richmond. But IN
the interval another influence had been brought to bear
upon the mind Of Mr.. LncOln-ln influence which en-
light darkness and which led to abandonment Of
the liberal attitude so congen to his own kindness OF
disposition, and the emanaOn OF the famous rescrlDt
ITO whom 10 may concern" My interview with ME-
Greeley took place at the Clifton House. when this doc
ument was delivered to me by MAJOR nay, the prVate
secretary Of Mr. Lincoln and necessarily brief and
formal The character OF that paper dlspeed an nope
OF peaceful negotiation. precuded all courteous discus
s0n and seemed to me subject NJ TOT scathlng crlt-
csm through the press. That Mr.. Greeley was equally
panied aud disappointed at this termination to his be-
nevoent hopes and aDOrs may be seen from an article
which appeared at the time in THE TRIBUNE, indicating
his conduct from the misrepresentation OF malignant
partlsans, single paragraph from which VIII quote
mond you the and whenever others
du slth9ilLei oy tne power no" alnB NV P IN
have safe conduct and would been the harm
aided the national cause Suppose they that could
pr G,s e S sn bad come but ~ aSn 81
Of kindly piri ant an earIess d,sTs S any "0""Ta' peace
italics in the last sentence are Mr. Greeeys, and
the subsequent files of The TRIBUNE (Which in the
writer's passesson will show that Mr. Greeley neglected
timely occasion TO the very close of the war; to press
cOunses conceived in the same liberal spirit upon his
INJUSTICE DONE Mr. GREELEY.
have met Mr. Greeley on but one occasion since. In
the course Of visit NewYork in the Summer OF 1865
called at his Office and had long conversation with
him upon the condition of the country 1t was during
this conversation that he referred 10 the almost daily
loss OF subscribers to THE TRIBUNE in consequence OF
his advocacy Of Universal Amnesty 1t was then, too
that he complained and as thought with justice. Of
the course OF the Southern Press for copying from THE
TRIBUNE offensive paragraphs which were neither writ
by him, submitted 20 him for revision, while no
notice taken Of carefully prepared editorials under
his own initials, whose coneiatory character could not
be mistaken. cannot at TINS distance OF Time re.
call the details OF that conversation, but IT LETT
on my mind profound an impression OF Mr..
Greeley's beneyolence as man, sagacity as
statesman, and comprehensive and truly American spirit
patriot, that on the next day expressed 10 an old
associate in Confederate Congress sincere regret
that It not in power to tender him carte blanche
which 10 write the terms Of reconstruction. As the ar
ce to which refer informs the public OF my extraor-
binary and almost afeconate artor for Mr. Greeley
may be pardoned for stating briefly why have never
taken Mr. Greeley "as lesser evil" The worst conse-
peuaton al the causes and passions OF STRIFE 10 90 no
further read this truth IN the gnt OF irish MS
tory. Centuries have elapsed since the subugation
OF Ireland but that land yet grOans under the mseres
OF and the rcsentments or conquest s burn
unextnguished in the hearts OF her people, happier
destiny Is In our hands.
THE UNITY OF THE GOVERNMENT FIRMLY ESTABLISHED.
The issues OF the war have been closed. The equality
OF all before the law has been established The geo.
graphical line concdent with a moral principle has
been oblterated. The unity OF the Government has
been established basis to be shaken. Indeed
by an extraordinary change of circumstances our land
marks OF policy have been reversed and the Union from
which we apprehended every danger has become
our only hope Of reviyng prosperity. Nothing can ar
rest the healing tendencies OF tme or perpetuate
the exasperatng struggle OF sections, but the perma
hence of parties whose watchwords may transmit the
passions OF INTO the bosom OF peace am
a Democrat, but L do not believe that tr-
umph Of the Democratic party, identified as 1t
yersibe results could tranquiize the country That
great object only be accomplished by disintegra
living questions Hence hailed the Cincinnati move
ment from its with hope aud joy as the
tunty which, if not improved might never return, of
reconciliation and reunion, without any abandonment OF
principle sacrifice or character ON either SIDE an OPP
porunity of loOsng hold upon the ideas and trad
tons OF an irrecovera6le past and OF easpng hands
with all who willing 10 bury the yndlctye feengs
OF the bloody strife, to renew the broken Fellowship OF
our old patriotism and TO welcome US TO an equal par
tcpaton the rights and privileges OF the Constitution
MR.. GREELEY THE MOST FITTING sTANDARD-BEARER OF
THE LIBERAL MOVEMENT.
II most fitting that the standardbearer OF this great
Conservative party should be whose life gives as
surance that he will administer the laws OF the Republic
ably uprghtly, and impartally between all its races
sections and people. Looking round among American
statesmen recognize but man who fills the whole
measure Of this requirement. equally conspicuous
for the devotion with which he fought the long battle
for the freedom OF the black and the magnanimy with
which ne defended the rights OF the yanquished man
In the beginning most ayerse to an appeal To arms
through all the evaporation Of war the least orgetfu
of the bonds OF former brotherhood, and amid the
ultation OF final triumph the first speak, aud ia tones
which above the shouts OF victory the ancient IAN
guage OF aiectionpand who, ever since has carried IN
his hand a banner whose every fold Is inscribed
| the sentiment, drawn from tho hottest lOun-
ains of patriotism Let enmity die, and our friend
ship prove immortal" These have induced ne
TO offer Horace Greeley, as he stands IN inc circle Vi MS
peers, the homage OF my first choice.
Bellevue. July %, lS72. JAMES T. hoLCohBE.
| WHAT MIR. LINCOLN ACTUALLY WROTE.