Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-20
Horace Greeley's Niagara Peace
NeIOtiatiOns.

Horace Greeley's Niagara Peace
Negotiations.
The abortive attempt Of Horace Greeiey 10
patch up peace between the Rebel Coined
erscy and the United States forms so remark
able chapter of the history of the Great Re-
bellon, and withal is SO illustrative and
characteristic Of Horace Greeley, that it de-
serves to be more extensively known and un-
derstood than it now is. In the summer of
1864, certain rebel emissaries rominent among
whom were Jacob Thompson, c. c. Clay,
and James p. Holcombe, were prowling along
our northern border engaged in the congenial
occupation of holding conferences with demo-
cratic leaders or stimulating democratic peace
conventions, organizing conspiracies for in
surrection in the Northwestern States and
for libersting rebel prisoners of war, making
arrangements for burning Our northern cities
and introducing infectious disease therein,
and generally, in any enterprise that they
supposed would be advantageous to the rebel
cause. MIR. Iiolcombe in his report to the rebel
Secretary of State, significantly writes "that
certain editorials which appeared in the New
York Tribune early in June, connected with
intimations from our friends in New York,
induced hope, (Which with me has ripened
into an abiding conviction that the able edi
tor of that influential Journal entertained
opinions upon the subject Of peace much more
reasonable and moderate than those of the
republican party in general" Consequently
an invitation was extended to Mr.. Greeley to
or near Niagara Falls, upon the subject of
peace. Mr.. Greeley, in reply expressed his
Willingness to confer with them, but suggest
ed that Washington was a more proper place,
aud asked if they were willing to go there.
Surprising some advantage to the rebel cause
might be obtained thereby, they consented to
| 60 ifsafe conduct was offered them. Mr.. Gree
| ley never doubling that they were duly accred-
tied agents Of JEFF Davis for the negotiatson
IF peace nor waiting to ascertain whe .her they
were or not, but fully possessed with the idea
that favorable opportunity to close the war by
treaty offered itself, Immediately addressed a
| long letter to President Lincoln, informing the
President of the circumstances of his commu-
nicaton with the rebel emssaries, drawing a
most dolorous, sombre and respondent picture
of the situation, and most earnestly urging
the President to enter into negotiations for
peace, saying among other things, at may
save US from q northern Instruction. In
the same letter he submitted plan of adjust
ment which he thought might be advantage
ously offered to the rebels
The fourth paragraph of this plan is so re-
markable that we suspend the marathon of
events to consider it. We quote it from Mr..
Greeleys American Conflict" with no
change save that of emphasizing the conclud-
mig sentence. "4th. The Union to pay four
hundred million dollars in FIVE per cent Uni
ted States stock, to the late slave States,
union and secession alike, to be apportioned
pro rata according to their slave population
respectively, by the census of 1860, in COM
pensation for the losses Of their loyal citizens
by the abolition of slavery. Each State to
be entitled to its quota upon the ratification
by its legislature of this adjustment. The
bonds to be at the absolute disposal of tie leg
islature aforesaid" Would any other mind
than that of the sage of Chappaqua' ever have
conceived the plan of making rebel legsla-
lures the distributors of Uncle Sans bounty
to loyal Shareholders? Would any body else
have even imagined that under such circum-
stances single dollar of the $500, 600 900
would have greeted the palms of any loyal
slave holder in the State? We can only pre-
serve our respect for Mr.. Greeley's intelli-
gence and common sense by supposing that
he never expected any such thing. What he
really did intend then, must have been, either
rebel shareholders, to pay them for colored
men who for two years, as freemen, had been
wearing the uniform and fighting the battles
OF tho Union, or that despairing of conquer
ing the rebellion by force Of arms, he would
buy peace by bribing rebel legislatures! 1t
may be that this last supposition may impair
his claim to the title of "Honest Uncle Uor-
ace" but we submit that it is apparent on the
face of the proposition that this is its true in
tent and meaning.
How enviable, how happy, how glorious
would be our position to-day had his advice
been needed and his offer accepted! With
what JUNCTION would the rebels boast, "You
tried for more than three years to whip us
and could not do it, and then you hired US to
quit, and paid us $500, 100000 to let you
alone!" After such taunt should we not be
in fit frame of mind "tO clasp hands across
the bloody chasm?"
Let US resume the thread of our narration.
President Lincoln suspected that Greeley was
being duped by rebel agents, but answered
his letter saying, eff you find any person,
anywhere, protesting to have any proposition
of Jefferson Davis, in writing, for peace, en-
bracng the restoration of the Union and the
abandonment of slavery, whatever else it en-
braces, say to him he may come to me with