Year: 1865

Peace RumOrs and What they Portend-
The Richmond Press and tho Monroe
Doctrine-Tho Paris Pross Bewildered.
In the midst Of the various conflicting rumors
and surmses in regard to the prospects Of an
early peace, the tone Of the Richmond semi
official organ on the subject of the Monroe doc
trine is particularly significant In that paper
Of the 10th inst, we find revived and endorsed
the doctrine advanced by the New YoRK HERALD
at the beginning Of the war-viz: the re-
cognition and enforcement Of the Monroe doc
trine in order that the North and the South
might unite, and instead Of fighting among
themselves, make common cause against O
common enemy in maintaining the freedom of
American soil from foreign intrusion and occu-
pancy. We can see three objects the Richmond
organ had in view in taking this position at
this time. The first s, to ascertain whether .
fright cannot be produced among European
Powers at the colossal strength OF the United
Sta les in the event OF o cordial reunion, and
thereby precipitate recognition and interven-
ten. The second is, TO prepare the Southern
mind for peace settlement on the basis Of
erecting stupendous naval and military power
on this continent that shall strike European
governments with awe, and enable the
South to avenge itself upon them for
their failure to sustain Southern efforts
to establish an independent government And
the third is, to show the North that, if favor
able terms of settlement shall be agreed upon,
the United States will be a unit and become q
Power gigantic enough to satisfy the aspirations
of the most covetous and amb tious among the
people.


The almost enthusiastic tone Of this semi
official Richmond organ at the prospective
grandeur OF The Uni!ed States upon tho resto-
ration Of peace and union, and The expressed
sentiments OF many of the Southern leaders in
regard TO the war, JEFF Davis usurpations and
other matters, oil 60 to show that somsthing
looking to an early peace is in the wind.
General Foote'S indignant withdrawal from
the rebel Congress, and his subsequent con-
Davis official General Joe Johnston's decla-
ration that he was out OF the army altogether;
General Lees refusal TO accept the absolute
command OF the rebel armies, and other
events Of similar character, oil go TO show
the tendency Of the minds of the Southern
leaders. 1.-THE elder Blair's 6rst visit to Rich
mond was altogether connected with his pri-
dicats that his second journey 70 the same
capital bears q more important if not an
entirely oflcisi aspect, although, Ss eouIso,
none outside Of government circles are qualified
10 state what his precise authority or mission
is. IL il evident from what has been thrown
out by the Southern organs and leaders, that
they anticipate some propositions from Prcsi-
dent Lincoln They seem prepared themselves
to demand, among other considerations for
laying down their arms, the recognition of q
portion Of their debt; that general amnesty
shall be declared, and that emancipation shall
be gradual-not immediate. They see that
slavery must be swept away II the war is
allowed to go on, and hence in STIMULATING for
peace they will not be inclined 10 insist upon
too heavy indemniGcation for the loss of their
slave property. An attempt WILL of course, be
made to secure whatever can bo saved from
the wreck of what was once o potential source
of wealth to the South. These arc briefly a
few Of The propositions which the South will, in
all likelihood, insist upon, and ii remains 10 be
seen how for our government will go in meet
ing their demands.


The Developments on oil sides show that we
may prepare ourselves for stirring and startling
events within tho coming few months. The
Richmond organ no doubt expected its article
would be copied into Northern papers, and
through them receive European circulation.
II cannot be concealed that sentiment Of
indignation against both England and France
is spreading and becoming deep-rootcd in the
South. The Southern people find that they
have bocn deceived and cheated by govern
ments from which they had reason to expect
sympathy and succor. But events have proven
that those governments were alike secretly hos
tile both to the North and TO the South, and
that all they aimed ut was the crushing out of
the spirit of rcpublicanism on this continent.
War among ourselves has been fostered and
encouraged by them only for the purpose Of
breaking up the republic, and establishing
upon its ruins European dynasties, just as
they have established them in Mexico, and
just as they expect to in Canada aid In
the Northern British territory of Columbia


But they have found that the tcnacity with
which Americans adhere to republican, liberty
is not easily disturbed. A Partisan orgas
acknowledges that the ''most chimrical mind.
have ceased to speak Of intervcnion;" argae'
from the experiences Of the rebellion tina
"liberty is not fatally destined 70 perish in th
tempests Of civil wars" and declares that II
| ''the abundance Of material and moral re
sources Of which'n no idea existed, all Europea


ideas, Including its own, are completely be


wildered." Il. is no wonder, for the war ha


been worth<a century to tho South in the d'


velopmens of Its resources; and to the North


has had the effect OF hardening its nerve, 81


largiUs Its patriotism and perfecting 1t In mil


tary science, to degree which no amount
pe ace instruction could ever enable 1t TO q