New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-04-05

wishes and that We could only meet him as private
citizens, and for an informal lntercnlst"so oriJ
oninion This course however. as thought', Woul1
have given to the party now in po"ef I'D the .'.Sn
States the means of defending ltseli as9st ,io
charge which was used WITH most any Other
Republican Administration can secure iho S eh
degree of public support IN the prosecution W , ioo
war on a policy 81 cOniiscation ana ehiaH'It'.e
az on n Motley which looked simply 10 the ie'toI@,
tion of the Union. Mr.. Lincoln WAS TePI"aVnou
with an unwiingness to make ~ ace I' az, ~ 60
short OF the subiugatiOn OF the Sthlfs"' VIZ IN
federacy and the utter overthrow OF thclr pt'u44I
social system, and consequent lhdiSl"'''I"n ="
ascertain the sentiments OF the Southern l't.po
for fear they might profess readiness 10 eu III. ~
the authority OF the United states on more I'a.u
able conditions. Although no proposition loI P'u'
which did not concede absolute independence
would have been entertained by us Tor month";
il did not seem 20 me wise 90 give our enc Hco ti-
moral and material benefit to I've dcriNrh lulu
positon they were not honestly entitled 10 occur
Had we returned the answer when ilS pe,i 'ut,
Qested the friends OF President Lincoln coIu nt
appealed to the letter Of Mr.. Greeley ~ PROOF -.
his Willingness TO open negotiations Oh Wv" lie
liberal basis That letter wholly aoautt"h1 -
attitude which tho Government Oh lne 'l,,L
States had maintained since the hecteslnH W -,
Carolua and TO which, according 10 the 0c'ii'a
ton OF Mr. seward. in his spec at Aa3uIh' !. nap
returned of no negotiations VIII rout's ~ 81 us,
II exnreSsed n readiness tO open neHollhi"HN 'u'
attcnipt to settle through diplomacy the qu,N''nN
which had been long IN VAN su'nlt'eu ~ tl33
arbtTament of wal IL ana NOT CIV en- MISREPRESENTATION
tlc restoration OF the Union was an ihd'spCh,-'"'
condition OF peace. but prohcrcd a Tree ana IN
tramnrIled conference. Had tine correSp oh"ehce
closed at that point. 10 must nave adueI s'lontt"
to the Administration Of Mr.. Lincoln, ana tnu' III
creased its capacity TO carry on the war II,H
our own borders il would have nourished the Helu-
sive and dangerous hope of a compronire WIN "t,
enemy on terms consistent with liberty anu S'''I-
respect. A renewed pressure Would M EEc ~.
brought TO bear on the President 10 %hu Ca;,'
sioners to Washington with the view oi "lFn''.E
negotiations at the hazard of fresh ndlgniile9 20
the Confederacy. In framing our reply 10 ihe
letter OF Mr. Greeley, we endcaNored 10 shape ~
rs 10 cornpel snch new deve Opments from MT; LIN
coin as would disclose the true policy OF ms A'Hn
istraton or such an adherence 10 inc posliloh as
sumcd in that letter rs would enable our "oNcIn-
mrnt to act upon II with safety. TINS purpose was
fully accomplished IN calling orth the celror"teG
document addressed TO whom VI may concern.
No paper probably ever produced so great r. t
tion OF public sentiment in the same space OF time
Although q dolusiOn as 10 inc extent OF 'noIi
rarant military sucCesses has induced a reaction
and secured the reelection of Mr. Lincoln IL S ue,
tined TO exercise an enduring influence lot to.N'
IL has permanently weakened ana dlHuaetNl VIC
war party of the North, and there Is lnuc1 reason
to hope that b6fO many months intervene ~ wiz
wholly deprive il of Democratic support HoWtN'l
this may be. II has united and animated our own
people moro than any political acloh ol ouI
adyersarles since the commencement oi the WAT
IL has been suggested that the effects oil TINS cor
respondencc, by rendering prot a1ie the neieat OF %
Lincoln at the polls, unfavorable III the N"rih-
west by REFRESHING growing tendency 10 rev outioh
in that quarter This no doubt 10 some extent us
temporary effect bnt 1t has wor1od no huy 10 ohi
cause. The revolutionary element has been MIN
erto too feeble to be employed IN our service WIN
auy advantage Before this correspondence TOOK
ace our sangunc friends IN that region ha' h1eu
nnon varous RODS of revolutionary outbreak bat
they were deferred at their own instance rom thc
to time as the conviction graduaIy dA"n Su upon
their own minds Ut the extent 10 when they hau
exaggerated their strength. From all the deNei"p-
ments hich have since been made am sashed tat
no explosion could have taken pace LreNi ouS "
the election which would not have resulted III pr
mapeut injury TO our cause The Northwest ~ NOT
now and without the systematic and poe IDLY inhg
continued appliraton OF the agenclS " hcu y"n .t
a. lind nav 10
But IL IN ter1nenting with the passions ont oi Whlch
revolutions have been created. IN ILLINOIS, lhulaha
and probably Ohio. majority OF the population
are hostile TO the present Administration. he re-
cent election furnished no evidence I" the contrary
for with large body Of the peace party Nc IcllHh
Was held in much odiun "a Lincoln HlHH'H'
Tn, hitierness between these hostile factions IA IN
tense The one has received from the other every
outrage which the strong can ptIpr'I"'e ON tue
weak. 49,
IL would he a fatal mistake. il my opinion, 10
abandon all efforts 70 separate thus So non nom the
United States because no results nav - 1'l p''p
achieved commensurate with "ui ehpc 'hlioh'.
The hope Of closing the war lay negotiation mas
been entinguished cur resources are diminishing
more randy for obvious reasons. than those OF our
enemy To keep alive such degree OF apprchen-
sion as VIII lead 10 the concentration OF large
bodies Of troops to rcprcss iusurrecton "thh thrt
own limits will Of itself be an important dlNrf-loh
in onr favor. We should employ money ana talent
W thout stint 10 give tins hTOOdlng resentment the
proportions OF anarchy and civil strlis. Ley u.
prrseI We our communication with our friends NJ
the North. Warned by our past experience" Ist us
Introduce arms more gradually aud cautiously 80
Jar as practicable suhsidize leading presses and
through the ordinary chaunel of ne aspapers ~ vel
As OF campaign documents enhghton ana lnnaihe
the public mind enlist public men of cbai acter and
influence Whose principles and sympathes are with
Us by ndemnlfyIng them against the haHatdr 10
winch bold and decisive action may expose thcii
With arms. leaders. aud an opportunity, We could
strike a deadly blow.
IL is proper 10 add that have expressed only nv
Individual opinious and do not Know 10 what "A-
tent they would meet the concurrence OF heosIs
CLAW and Thompson.
I have the honor to remain. very respectfully,
JlMEs 4. HoINUMBE.
Richmond Nov. 10 1861.