Year: 1864

We publish today letter from Mr.. Benjamin,
the Secretary of State, which may be regarded, We
suppose, a. an authorized account Of the recent
intervis7 between President Davis and NessrA
Jacquess and Gilmore on the subject of peace
The newspapers have also published . much
fuller account of this interview, prepared by Mr..
Gilmore, but We have not copied that, for the
reason that much Of it is no doubt exaggerated and
colored by the peculiar views of the so called
mssionsrs referred to.


1t il obvious that these persons had no official
authority to speak for NJ. Lincoln, and it may be
that if they spoke from any knowledge Of his real
ssntimsnts and purposes, they were feeling their
way to one point while shey indicated suether q I
the only one which they would consent to consider
at all dsbatabls. For example, they knew that
Mr.. Davis would not consent to reconstruct the old
government on the basis Of the abolition of slavery,
and be 50 replied to them; but they were not sure
he would not reconstruct if slavery could be pre-
served and the seeded States restored to ell the
rights which they enjoyed before they seeded
They made no offer Of this kind, nor did Mr. Davis
refer to such all alternative; but it may be that
they felt they were opening the way to such re-
suit They failed to draw him out.


At any rate, We are glad the two administrati ons
are talking about peace, however remotely. All
things, whether good or bad, must have begin
ming. We believe now, as we believed twelve
months ago, that no permanent or substantial
peace can be established without the Intervention
of the States. The two extremes, represented by
Mr.. Davis and Mr. Lincoln, will never give peace.
Nor do We believe that the Chicago Convention
which assembled on the 99th, will do much to has
ten peace. No doubt that body has taken ground
for cessation of hostites at the earliest practicable
moment but the armistice for which it calls is on
ly to preceds discussion which must result if the
views of that Convention to BE- carried out in :
restoration of the Union with guarantee for slsv.
cry where it now exists. Are the friends of the
administration of Mr.. Davis prepared for that Are
they ready to reconstruct on such basis, or any
baslss If not, they look in vain to the Northern
national Democracy. We know something about
that Democracy, and We feel sure that what we say
x true. Wsfear they will never consent to perma:
nent dissolution ofths Union But these speculations
are idle, for the plain reason that MIR. Lincoln will
bs reelected Even if the national Democrats had
a majority in the United States, they would find
themselves unable to contend with Mr.. Lincolns 8
patronage to say nothing Of his bayonets The
election for President in November next vii, not be
free. The freedom of suffrage will be trampled un-
der foot there, as it was tramped under foot in this
State at the recent election. Money and bsyoaets
will carry the day. The Democrats will feel and
know that their dearest rights have been disregard
ed, and that they are no longer free men, but they
will be powerless to yindicate their liberties OF
avenge themselves; while the Lincolnites will ex


ut At the prospect of four years of war; fraud
and corruption, and will declare that the election


was as " fair thing as ever was" Lincoln will be
re elected and the war will 90 on. That is oul


opinion. We may be mistaken, and we hope ".


are; for though the Democrats are as firmly fxet


as the LncolEites against secession or disunion


yet they are I much better order Of public men


and the South might expect that they would trea


her with more justice and generosity than the Lin


colntss would, in any settlement that might be e:


fectsd.