Year: 1864




Pence. sE
It is very easy matter 10 draw the lineon which
fair and legitimate propostions may be made, on
which rightful opinions may be held and on which
fuh discussion may be had II was not always
wise but it was never criminal to express wish
for psaee-to urge the government to make every
effort 10 commence negotiations for peace This
was not always wise, because up to q very late pc
riod the enemy had shown no inclination whatev-
er to listen to any terms, except the humiliation
of an abject submission. Neither the Federal gov
ernment nor the yankee people had given promise
of any inclination for other terms Until late
period, too, the fortunes of the war varied and
though the true, brave patriot spirit looked assu
redly for final success, it was obliged to nerve It
self for the endurance of much trial and danger
order to its achievement Last summer and fall,
wheD the peace cry in North. Carolina was most
inopportune and inappropriate period for such de-
monstratioD. Then, the balance OF the success
was with the north. Disaster had settled heavily
upon us, and the cry for peacs in sueh time, was
like the cry of enough by the beaten pugiist when
he gives UP the fight So far from operating we'll,
the natural effect of such cry ut that time was
to stimulate foes to inspire unanimity in their
counsels to strengthen their energies and TO make
their demands more exorbitant and mcSe impeFn
tive.


That such effects were produced, abundant testi-
mony has been afforded. Now, however, after
q campaign of uninterrupted success; after whole
some legislation by Congress which has revived
our affairs after . succession of gloomy and de-
spending reyerses sustained by our enemies, it was
not uutit that an effort at suspension of hoSti
tiles, It srmistice aBd negotiation should be carr
esLy made The time had become appropriate,
ana the evidence of this fitness is seen IN The
strong aud continued evidences of the favorte con-
sIderaCon of our offers. It is true so far as Mr.
Lincoln has spoken, he has put down broad
fat foot upon the efforts to Negotiate; but Mr.
Hn0a hnr laoS TaII ia
the head of government victorious by its armies,
and in attitude to command terms. He is not pos
sessed now Of power for the length of term he had
then. The sands in his glass are running out, and
about him. in 'front.' on his hanks and IN his rear,
influences the opposite OF his, which are grown
TO strength by the earnest and successful blows
which we have stricken, so that their potency is
recognized and can make itself felt. To help these
influences in q prudent and sagacious manner, Is
both right and proper


So far as the peace movement contemplated an
active, constant and energetic assistance to the
government in bringing about negotiation, it never
could be criminal however at times it might be
Impolitic- and annoying. But the crimi4ality OF
this whole affair has consisted simply in this-that
in some cases. really disloyal men who coveted the
failure of our arms and cause, whose allegiance had
Never been z ven 10 The government, VITO still
looked with reverence on the ancient flag now dis
graced in the hands OF our invaders, and who
longed for some oppOrtune moment when terms
could be made with the Lincoln government on the
basis Of fsurreuderng the Southern nationality, start.
ed Seace movements to delude the people and to ef
fecG their objects.


Other men, ambitious politicians, and wIthal un-
scrupulous, though they had led the way in the
commencement and promised largely towards the
support of the war to final separation, began to
suspect that the people were becoming Wearled OF
the trials and hardshps, and ready to jump to any
terms Offering hopes Of peace and they seized Oh
PEACE as hobby without in the first place, calcu
Iatng how far out of the path Of patriotism they
might be led. By degrees, however, when their
conduct came to be criticised and censured they at
once began to use haired of the national govern
| nient commenced to threaten and denounce it; to
misrepresent its action and array it before the
popular bar as to destroy the confidence OF the
people in its integrity, and prepare them to look
| elsewhere than to the prescribed and Legitimate
sources for obtaining that peace which they desired
| In this way came about the plan of separate
| State action through the power of the people,
| pIan which. would have sought to withdraw the
North Carolina forces from the field to turn them
4 on the Confederacy plan would have sought
| an alliance from the enemy, and looked to the re-
construction of the Federal Union TOR North Caro-
| lima


That such were the objects Of these men, has
been distinctly proved, and any amount OF testl-
mony to this effect can now be produced. All this
and much more that was published in tbs papers,
and resolved in meetings. and spoken on the streets
| and on the stump, was sedltiouS and CRIMINAL
And herein consists the criminallty


But all this we have discussed, and our opinions
are before the public. We are content to transfer
the matter now out of hands so far as the past
| is concerned


The successes of our arms since the spring cam
| paign commemorative manifest encouragement
| in the country of our enemies-the prospect oil
bitter political contest among them-the period OF
a change of administration-all these things point
to this rs appropriate time for urgent attempts
! at peace; aud our government we have no douot
| ayails itself of the occasion and if Mr.. Lincoln
will consent to an armistce stop the bloOdshed,
let the TWO nations appoint commissioners, either
by the respective administrations or by delegates
! to National Convention, (the government gi'iRg
It's assen and therein let att matters OF discussion
be elaborated and resolved, subject to the decSiol
of the constituted authorities uJ,n the treaty utt


mately to be made If this eau be agreed oo, there
is then no hindrance to the presentation Of any
plan Of settlement which individuals or States may
1 propose


Then, if the North west should furnish induce
mens for separate alliance or IL the whole NoTif
should offer a re union compatible with the honor
and safety of the South, all this would oe msttel
for consideration; and then these various PROPOSE
tons could be open for discussion among our people


For our own part, we see no plan OF ssfety 6u
| in permanent separation and we can think OF NJ
condition of things which would make us willing
recipient OF any reconstruction. Bat the recognl


ton of our nationality, the proclamation of sn arm
istice, will enable the two governments SO to pre-
sent the points as to elicit the public sentiment


4 powerful party u the North is basing its po
litcal status on this course Of policy and we ma


look TO see its bold and distinct snnouncemen


when the Chicago Convention meets in the last o


this month. If we suffer no disaster to befai ou


arms in the meantime, it is not unreasonable


hope that Lincoln himself may plant his standar


upon the rAmparts of peace.


A Horse SToRY.-The army correspondent of tn