Year: 1863

We are indebted to some friend on the Eastern
Shore of Maryland for calling special attention
to the following article in an esteemed contempo-
rary, (the Kent NsOs) which, apart from its
thoughtful character and laudable spirit, text
for few remarks which its perusal has suggested,
we give entire to our readers, Notwithstanding its
kind reference to our paper, which, however graft
flying such references always are, We seldom in
dulge the vanity Of repeating in our own columns


From the Kent Neps Of September s.


We present to readers an article from the National
Integencer at Washington, of the ablest well
most loyal papers in the country, and letter from Mr.
John Adams r who has travelled through considerable
portions of the South aud from free communication with
many Of her people gathered much valuable information in
reference to the public sentiment Of that section


Mr. Adams thinks that offer of terms by the Presi
dent would be received with alacry and be
taken for return to ths Uuon. Why should not such
offer be extended 1t is act of magnanmity for the
stronger to make proposals to the weaker The stronger
do it without compromising selfrespect peril of
public opinion. Let the nation be magnanmOus "Thsy
are bone of bone and flesh of flesh" The war is
waged by the Congress and President have emphat
cay declared not for subugaon, nor to interfere with
any State institution domestic relation, but solely for


restoration of the Union the maintenance of the Consttu
toD and enforcement of the laws The theory of Con-
Qress and of the President that the called seeded
States are not outside of the Unon but in it, and that the
rebellion operates only to obstract the execution of the
laws in those States They in state of suspension
not secession aud egmately return at any time by
eectinR members to the Senate and House of Repreen
tatve If the President and Congress true TO their
antecedents the process OF return is easy but initial
step is necessary. Who is to submit terms of recon-
cliation :?


Let it not be said that more lives shall be sacrificed
families reduced to mourning, more misery and
disseminated, more property destroyed, and more mil


lions of money expended upon question of mere etiquette
and form Our country afford to bs generous; mag
unanimous 1t never lose 10 the estimate Of virtuous
humane, and enlightened public opinion He who is am
bilious accomplish greater aud nobler deed than Cesar
Alex ande Bonaparte achieved, win higher niche in
the temple of fame than they occupy and be placed in
counrys affection and gratitude by the side of the mmor
tai Washington will make the first and decided movement
for restitution Of the Union and Constitution to their
wonted condition. the country to peace and comparative
happiness which will soon reopen the springs Of individual
and national prosperity and sresh and gladden. the bears
of whole people Let the whte-wnged angel of peace
be sent on mission of brothery love by the head of
mighty nation the misguided aud repentsnt Of
the Sou.h.


We admire the calm tone and patriotic spirit of
our Maryland contemporary, but we confess we are
not prepared to go at present quite as far as its
praiscwcrthy desire for peace proposes. In the
great affairs of Government it may be sometimes
wise to regard the Injunction of Augustus, festina
lente and thus, while we most heartily agree
that any State which seeks to return to her place
in the Union so far as she has ever forfeited it,
and to resume all her constitutional rights, privi-
leges, and duties, should be welcomed with the
fraternal feeling SO touchingly exempfed in the
divine parable of the prodigal son, still not
prepared to say that the time has yet arrived for
any general tender of amnesty and acceptance Of
submission on the part of the Government Not
that we think as the President intimates, that no
overture towards peace is to be proered until the
leaders of the rebellion shall succumb-for they
have staked their all on the issue Of the rebellion
and will be the last to give up-but because we
believe that until the military power of the insur.
gents is subdued, it would be as unbecoming as it
would be vain to invoke submission and retra,tion