Year: 1865

several erroneous Impressions abroad bearing upon this
matter, which II would be a. well dispose Of People
say and repeat 10 another rubbing their hands with
an innocent gee that there must hayo been some nti
nation conveyed TO Seward from Europe which makes
the onemy SO eager now to wind up the In fact,
that England and France might, could, would should
have Informed Lincoln that, If on the 4th OF March he
be not inauguraed President Of the whole Of the old
States they, England and France will then recognize
him only as President of those States which concurred in
his election There Is the slightest evidence foun
dation OF fact for this any kindred rumor It is
perfectly well known that they are at tho end
Of their resources II we choose to hold out
In resistance; that both in money and in men
their means arc exhausted, and that their present
armies IN the field are their last. Yet after all,
Ia not 10 much to conclude peace they send their
commissioners and open their sham negotiations to
deceive and distract US from the needfu for
our defence, while they forward towards the final
investment OF Richmond They prefer to enter the city
IS conquerors raher than to obtain peace by treaty be-
tween Richmond and Washington. At all events, II
peace Ii offered, the terms of II will be MS above stated
How viii the army like t2 Do Confederate soldiers in
deed confess themselves utterly beaten that after the
tolls and sacrifices Of years after the loss Of many
gallant mon In battle under flag that is renowned
by land and they would yield up the whole for
WnlCn thcy IouBnt-tn0 sovereign rgnt Oh hutVc
States the over their own institutions the pos.
session of their right to property the inheritance of their
chdrens Our soldiers who have served throughout
the have cherished tho thought that when the
struggle is over and independence won they will
sometimes proudly the gray Confederate uniform
and the hard insignia Of their rank and tell their
children and their grandchildren the story Of go
rous day when the setting sun illuminated the victorious
cross Of stars. Yes and many bereaved family pro
with fond pride tho sword OF their lost brother
or son, to attest in future generations how
their kindred blood flowed too for Southern
Independence. But how would it be II such
peace really fell upon US? Hide, burn every shred
Of the gray Confederate CLOTH Rip off stars and bars,
and bury them that eye shall them. Dare not
to show the souvenirs Of those You have lost and
breathe not their Let every vestige and remin


scence of the army that fought with Lee and jackson
sink out of sight, and let eternal silence rest all that
department Of memory. This not and this shall
not be. There Is need to speculate upon the
possibility OF such nfamy. II wrong it was weak
beyond measure to permit this journcying to and fro OF
messengers without credentials the imminent
risk Of encrvatng the military spirit Of the country by
turning mems thoughts to dreams and visions Of peace
at tho very moment when every energy ought to be
strung and braced for war


However. as il has begun, let us hope that
this last step will be the last. All the peace
party at the South protests that will in nowise have
peace of submission and Of abolition The parties who
have gone to Washington Of understanding and
they may tn ir return bo able to make plain to the
humbest intellect that other peace than that Is to be
obtained, and silence all dispute, and produce
desirable unanmity and so explode forever all schemes
and projects unworthy gallant people. II may be
hoped then the end Of the feeble kind OF
in public affairs. With Lee as generalissmo
welding uncontrolled power all armies and al
generals and Breckenridge in the War Department


trust that tho real business Of the country will hav


chance Of being attended to- and the real busncs


OF the country Is for tho present war; and not
THE PEACE COMMISSIONERS AT PETERSBURG.
PETERSBURG, Jan. 20, 1885,
During church hours TO day heavy cannonading
in progress lines, between our and tho enemy
river batteries


Messrs. Stephens, Hunter and Campbell, comm.


sioncrs, in the city, and will bo passed by flag q


truce through Bushrod Johnson's lines to Thei


mission excites much comment in all crcles