The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-14

probably aware of the obstacles to tho course
| you indicated, and without expressing any
| opinion on the merits of the proposed policy,
| | desired him. IN answering yonr letter. to
| invite suggestions rs to the method of open
| ing operation and TO the terms which
| you thought should be offered TO the enemy,
| ! felt persuaded you would appreciate tho
| difficulties as soon your attention was
| called to the necessity of considering the stub
ject IN detail. AS you have made no sug-
gestlons touching the manner of overcoming
| the Obstacles ] INFER that you We're not APP
| prised by Mr. Dorteh Of my remarks TO him
Apart from insuperabe objections TO the
! limo OF policy proposed (and to which i VIII
| presently advert, can not see how the now
| material obstacles are to be surmounted. We
| have made three distinct efforts 10 eumnuni-
cate with the authorities nj Washington and
have been Invariably unsuccessful Commits
| sioners were sent before hoatiltlcs were he
gun, aud the Washington government refused
to see them or hear what they had to say
! second time sent military officer with
communication addressed by myself to Pres
dont Lincoln The letter was received by
General Scott, who did not permit tho officer
TO see Mr.. Lincoln, hut VINO promised that an
answer would be sent. No answer has ever
been received.
"Thc third time, u few months ago a gen
toman WINS cent whose position, character
and reputation were such as To insure his re-
ception If the enemy were not determined TO
receive no proposal whatever from this gov
ernment. Vice President Stephens made a
patriotic tender OF his services, IN the hope
Of being able 10 promote the cause Of hui
mainly, and although little belief was enter
taned of his success. ] eheertully yielded
to his suggestion that the experiment be
tried. The enemy refused TO lot him pass
through their lines or 10 hold any conference
with them. He was stopped before he even
reached Fortress Monroe, on his way To
Washington
10 attempt again. In the face Of these
peated rejcotions OF all conferences with us,
TO send commissioners or agents to propose
peace Is 10 invite insult and conisDicly. aud
/ IN cltlai xfpGs N
slightest chance OF being lietened TO, NO
true citizen, no man who has our cause al
heart, can desire this. aud the good people OF
North Carolina would be the last 10 approve
OF such nm attempt, II aware Of all the facts.
50 far from removing sources OF discon-
| tent such course would receive, rs IL
would merit the condemnation OF those true
patriots who have given their blood and
their treasure to maintain the freedom. equal
ity and Independence which descends 10 them
from the immortal heroes OF Kings mountain
and other battle fields OF the revolution,
IN proposals can not be made through
ENJOYS, because the enemy would not receive
them. how Is It possible TO communicate oMf
desire for peace otherwise than by the public
announcements contained In almost every
message | ever sent TO congressY ~ can not
recall at this time one instance In which ]
haze failed 10 announce that our only desire
J was peace, aud the only terms which have
found sine qua non were precisely those
which you suggest. namely, a demand only
10 be let alone. But suppose II were pfac-
ticable 10 obtain a conference through COM
miasloDers with the government Of PreHIdent
Lincoln Ia II at this moment that va are TO
consider II desirable, or even al all admits
slble? Have we not been just npprised by
that despot that we can only expect .hiH
gracious pardon bv emancipatinR all our
slaves swearing allegiance and obedience 10
, him md all his proelamntioDs, and becoming,
In point Of fart. the slaves Of our own me-
yrocFy Tan there be orc citizen OF Softh
Carolina so fallen beneath the dignity Of his
! ancestors as to accept or enter into conference
on the basis OF these termsg
eTfat there are fsw iialioIs ~ the siT'e
wl.o would be willing 10 bc.ray their fellow
o!t;zsrs 10 such degradsa ecntdition IN hope
OF lcing rewarded for tneIr ireachery by an
escapo from the comnoJ doc;n may be true.
,ut do not believe that thc yilest wret ~
! unrId accept sneb terms for himself can
not conceive how the fseaplr OF your state,
than which mons ias seat ROLLER or more gal
,snL sddltIs 10 thc neid Of battle Zone u
/, WHOM Il II your honor 20 be-, can have been
| aee.iyed ~ arvthing 10 which YOU refer ~
tho recent notion Of the sfccffal house OF rep
| rcsentatlyes' I have seeu no action Of that
ho,iar that does hoi Indicate by tefS dr-
, pided ,ngiority the purpose ~ Inc cns.ry %
refuse an terms ~ the 5aifss except unrondi-
.lorri suhiugafion or ckfrrMlnatipr. Hpt. ~
Il wore sfhlrHiEc, how are we Ia treat the
house of Representatives. IL with Lincoln
alone ihat We ev,f sould forfef, AMI his cwn
/ parfjs1ns a, The North ayov unean'yoeally
i! thar his purpose In his mestsge and pFocl@nA'