Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-01-24
With Healing in Its Wings

w uh fcnlinS III Its wings
D RirISli organs OF public opinion. il is
~ gratifying to record. have learned their
lesson. Compelled very lately by the force
OF circumstances and the logic OF events TO
disavcw those expressions of passionate
sentiment with which they greeted the Presi-
dent first note to the brilicercnt powers
they receive The second and much moro
revolutionary message in more chastened
and reaSona bic spirit
This new moderation comes as "A surprise
The Presidents frank declaration that the
peace this nation could be expected to assist
III guaranteeing must be peace without
victory calculated TO disturb and even
TO irritatc a people chatting under terrible
wrongs and making daily unexampled sacri-
hces To preserve the freedom Of the world.
That Britain has been enabled TO consider Il
peace predicated on mutual concessions in
dicatcs very great change in the popular
mind
III is splendid policy. nobly expressed
says the Manchester Guardian. This is no
vision OF Utopia but a well-thuueht-out and
justly framed scheme oi man in :, great
position and versed in great affairs
AS for ourselves. they are our terms: or if
they are not. they ought 10 be. and the mass
of the nation will do we'll 10 that their
rulers render % them every possible favor
and support.
From the great Liberal newspaper thus
expected. for the Guardian stood almost alone
in giving hospitablc reception to the prcsi-
dents earlier note. but other newspapers
whlch were violent in their antagoniSm. dis
Play itl" or none OF their former venom
Even the intransigent London Post says the
Presidents address TO the Senate was full
al noble aspirations and aniablc sentiments
The Post. however. is not satisfied: ii is still
for peace based victory. according 10
President Wilson's logic, i, says, lit would
have been better Tor Lincoln 10 have met the
Southern leaders upon The field. shaken hand,
and agreed upon peace. Whether il would
have been better or not, il is certain that
President Lincoln thought so and that he
made All erlor TO bring abou, such com
position
II Is true the peace he offered the South
al the Hampton Roads conference was not a
peace without conditions His nvieldiur
demand was for the restora, ION Of the Union
and he declined In consider oven tentative
recognition of the Confcderacy Because The.
Confederate commits toners were without am
lhority 10 decree or agree to the abolition OF
the government which had appointed them
me conference ended i'll failure. bu, il is we'll
Known that Mr.. Lincoln was willing to agree
10 the prompt restoration OF the seeded
States and the admission OF their representa-
tives 10 Congress. and personally TO urge
compensation 10 the owners OF emancipa1 ed
slaves.
Can any one doubt does any one doubt al
this Ola! thai il would have been better tor
ms country an! the world had the Hampton
Roads conference resulted in success instead
OF failure: II Was held on February ,. 1869
and little more than two months LATER
General lie" surrendered and the Confectionery
tell. rh" Norih had its peace through vic
l"rH the South had weary years OF recon
S'ruc'' on and oppression. and The nation had
three decade, of bitterness. hatred suspicion
and dstrusr.
Lincoln was Tor "a peace OF concession ana
Hacr!hcs. although he wanted most of the
concessions aud sacrifices made by The South
NrNtr'Heicss hc was prepared 10 offer far
NOR" than me South obtained after Appo
matt"N. He wanted peace to come win
h"aine Ia IFS wings and come To stay
Aho'lon ii the grand jury is favored bv
Ne" ORR lawyer WronedOers would 60
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