Year: 1862




COMMISSIONERS TO WASHINGTON, AND HIS SPEECH
THEREON, ETC.


From the Richmond Examiner, Sept 20l


Mr. FoorE Of Tenn. [of the rebel House OF Represen
tatives ED HERALD. offered the following joint resolu
ton proposing to send commissioner commissioners
TO Washington city empowered TO propose terms OF just


Resolved BY the Congress Of the Confederate States Of
America that the signal success with whn Dyne WI rrov
months past, would fully justify the Confederate govern
the at Washington city, empowered to propose
the terms of JUST and honorable peace onsorvs
ho did intend occupy the attention of the House
more than few minutes, preliminary to the motion
which he should presently make, 70 recr the
resolution under consideration to the Committee
on Foreign Affairs; committee, ! beg leave to
say continued Mr. Fooe with the exception OF its chair
man. emnenty qualified TO deal with this grave and nte
resting matter in calm considetate and signay advan
tageous manner. Sir have but little hope that our
insolent and cruel foe will listen to this proposition
ably have but little confidence, confess sir, in the
wisdom and saacity the statesmanshp or the true man
lness Of spirit, oi Mr. Lincoln and his deuded cabinet
counselors am not unaware that these pelsonagcs
have been dlsgraceully driven forward continually, from
the shedding OF blood in the affair Of Fort Sumter up
to the present moment, by numerous and active body
OF infurated fanatics and INSCRIPTIONS demagogues
until they have almost reached the depths OF utter
h0pelessuess and ruin ] not at all confident
that the weak and vacillatng executive chef in
Washington city has adequate moral courage 10 receive
commissioner, should we conclude to send one
the sulerngs OF Northern enemies lar greater
than those which they have already experienced though
stimulated as to some extent they must necessarily be
by the apprehension OF the greater suerngs with
which they so obviously menaced. But sir. to
these considerations u tach but little Importance Twill
endcavor to state my view Of the subject in very
else manner, according to the rules OF the House
occupy its attention only for few minutes The
chance refuse to receive commissioner; they
will be courteously received. Certainly 1t Is hardly
TO be hoped that our proposal OF peace viii be re-
spectfuy considered and agreed TO- In the latter
most bloody and desolatng war will be brought TO
close beloved country will be relieved from the
experience OF present sunerings and be, perchance
sav ed from a
just and honorable be mady refused then upon
the heads Of hearess adversaries will be
lated all the responsibility connected with those evils
which may be hereafter inflicted upon tho general inte
Of the civilized word the oceans Of blood which
may hereafter shed and all tho mmeasurable horrors
which must inevitably result from war conducted as it
has been heretofore sonducted by heart
less enemies in utter disregard Of all the wel
In any state of things which can be possibly
ceved Of be at all injured by the pursuing of the line Of
policy suggested in the resolution Our brave armies In
the field will not feel less inclined to prosecute the
with energy and resolution because their government
manifcsts disposition them from the necessity
Of ipcurrng further hardships and shows disposition to
them 10 the blessings Of peace or do
mestc happiness and Of social beatitude. On the con
trary, shall confidently expect the exhibition Of still
serner resolution sill fercer military zeal, and still
glorious achievements, when they shall thus find it
demonstrated TO than that there is possibility
OF peace with our prosecutors save by resorting,
in spirit Of just retaliation, TO those ter
press upon their obdurate hearts the intense consci
entousuess of those horrors OF which they have been
the sole orignators II our proposition should be de-
cned and there be any good men yet left in the North
friends TO Justice the Laws OF Christian humanity, aud
the general happnese Of the world, they will at once
make their presence known organize and embody their
energies against nsoent and barbarous government,
drive Lincoln and his myrmdons from power, and ee-
vate 10 the seats Of official authority wise and upright
statesmen through whose efficient instrucDalty this
sangunary struggle may be at last brought 10 termna
tioD.


Sir it s not even possible that our motives or objects
In taking initiative in the noble work OF pacncatiun
be misunderstood either by the enemy or by the rest
OF the civilized nations OF the world We are thus far
completely victorious in the In all the numerous
battles which have been fought have been most sig
naly successful We have driven, are now driving,
the vaunng hosts OF the North beyond confines and
victorious standards being planted upon the
territory OF the Such succession OF brilliant and
decisive riumphs has adorned the page
of history. Our successes have been acknowl-
edged in the most emphatic manner even IN
the columns OF the Northern newspapers.
terms peace TO the enemy. With us alone pro-
position OF peace originate without tho deepest dis
honor II tho is hot to be intsrminabe (and who
desires this.) the first movement towards settlement
Of existing difficulties must be made by one Of the par
ties contestant and rs the enemy cannot be expected
under existing circumstances, to send TO US proposition
for the present termination OF hostties results that
the civilized world has right TO look to for such
the resolution proposes Mr. Speaker know well
that shall be denounced in certain quarters for my pre-
sent conduct. shall be probably charged with
excessive moderation, and, perchancs. even q
II oil who are specially interested in the con-
tnuance Of the war shay resort even to rid
1
pared TO submit, conhdng do in tho general good
sense and elevated moral sentiment of my honored
countrymen and being perfectly persuaded that this
resolution, II 1t should be fated rejection will awaken
q responsive echo in the bosoms Of good and wise
elsewhere, which viii than compensate for present
misjudgment and undeserved obloquy.


Mr. Wncox asked II had not effective commissioners
there now in tho persons Of Generals Lee and stonswa
jackson.


Mr. FoorK admitted their effectiveness but their ser
vices required in the neld, whore they
prosecuting the with energy and he did desire
70 have their attention distracted by other matters