Year: 1865

The present sensation in Richmond is the arrival
and departure Of F. P. Blair, and the subsequent
advent of Mr.. Singleton, peace democrat Mr..
Blair seems to have conducted his business with
wonderful secrecy, sothat not any Of the Rich
mond press has been able to fathom It Many con-
lectures are aaoat, all leaning to the suppostion
that his was an unofficial visit, made. e.for the pur
pose of opening the way to negotiation for peace of
more official character.


We are very sure that any propositions, having
IN view the termination of the war by honorable
peace, will receive at the hands of the President
Just consideration and that nothing will be left un.
done, on his part which may aid in bringing about
so desirable result Confederate.


Such language as the above from the COnteder.
ate, is new and extraordinary. That paper has at
length adopted the expression familiar to Conserva-
tives-it desires an honorable peace" 1t is not
offended at the mission of Messrs. Blair and Single
ton, but is prepared to regard it as good omen
1t even gees far to say that any propositions,
having in view the termination of the war by an
honorable peace will receive at the hands of the
President just consideration" propositiopss ?"
This is surely very comprehensive expression.


We have known for several weeks that many of
the friends and advisers Of the Confederate have ar
rived at the conclusion that prompt steps should be
taken tosecure peace; and these friends and advis-
ers are prepared to accept the best peace they can
obtain at tho hands of the federal government
But we still fear what we feared in August 1863,
that the federal government will never treat with
Mr. Davis. If it would rot treat with him then,
the hope that it WILL are basins that hope on a
slender foundation. An "honora6te peace" can be
secured only through the interoenton Of Tho States
The Confederate will have TO come to this at last


Can the property Of the Southern people be saved
by the Intervention of the States, even if absolute
| independence cannot be achieved? We believe il
can. Can slavery be saved? We believe it can
be- for time. 1t cannot be made permanent in.
| stitution on this continent in any event. Seces
sion has doomed it 1t is essentially conservative
institution. 1t has been destroyed by the rude
shocks of war. The large Shareholders of the co..:
ton States in their anxiety to spread the institu
ton, and to render it the great power on this con-
tnent have proved themselves the chief architects
| of its destruction. Disunion vas abolition, ant
we SO declared it at the time. Slavery was neve,
| SO strong as i: was under the old government


Bat there is something involved in the question
of peace infinitely more valuable than slavery. W.
want peace, because continued war will complete
the destruction of the white race. Sudden eman
cipation would greatly embarrass and iujure South
ern society, but continued war will destroy society
ITSELF Continued war will, sooner later, intro
duce general anarchy. We shall have no State off
GERS to enforce our laws, and but few, except OLE
men, and women and Children to enforce then
against We shall have sworthless currency, al
impoverished people, ruined credit, and popua
ton constantly diminishing by deaths on the battle


field and in the hospitals and by flight to our enc
mics. Our last port has been sealed by the cap


ture of Fort Fisher, and We are now cut off from
all the world The great body Of our people ar


crying out in the most earnest terms for peace. l
is their constant thought. Nothing else is talke'
Of. Let the people be consulted On the subject
We would regard any peace as honorable wbicl
could secure the approval of the people efsNorth


Carolina at the bafot-box. Will the servants O
the people hearken to the cry for peace? The


hear it, as We do. 1t browns all other sounds


Will they hear, and ponder, and then act' W


could have obtained better terms six months az


than we can now, and We obtain better term
| now than We can six months hence.