THE WAR IN AMERICA AND THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 807, 20 July 1864, Page 6

THE WAR IN AMERICA AND THE PROSPECTS OF PEACE.

A Special Correspondent of the New York Herald, who had been detained in the South for some time, a prisoner, ■writes:—

It is lamentable to witness the dreadful state of misery into which the rebellion has plunged the Southern people, Young and old, rich and poor, are indiscriminately forced into the army. The last sleeping conscript act calls for many who have hitherto kept out of it by doing various kinds of work needed by the Government, and most of them, determined not to fight, are now endeavoring to leave the lines of the. Confederacy. The towns and cities that have been destroyed, and the magnificent farms and plantations ruined, not to mention the proportion of the population wasted, are truly terrible to contemplate. All the Southern towns and cities that I have seen look, comparatively speaking, dismal and deserted. Most of the colleges, academies, and schools jare"closed; for both teachers and pupils have been put into the army; and some of the 'buildings are either going to decay or •used as army hospitals. There is no literature in the South, save the sickening stuff that "fires- the Southern heart" in the rebel newspapers. There are few of the enjoyments of social life. There is no business transacted except such as is either directly or indirectly connected with the war, Indeed, the whole business of the South is war; and at the fame time every -one is looking and longing for peace. Upon'what terms peace can be made it is almost impossible to state. Both North and South have a strong desire for peace. The terms of the South appear to be eternal separation from the Federal Government and the recognition of a Southen confederacy. The terms of the North are the; unconditional return of the Southern people to their former allegiance to the Union. Were.it not for the rebel leaders we would soon have peace and reunion. The leaders seem determined to prolong the struggle. The temper of the South is told .in the characteristic expression, which the rebels are fond of using:—" We'll fight you till Hell freezes over, and then we'll fight you pa the ice." And the temper of the North is told in the answer made by some of our soldiers:—-"Very well; we're used to the .cold; we can whip you on the ice." Some of the most conservative Southern citizens and officers have assured me that reunion is impossible under the present adminis tration. At the same tirn^e they have said that should the North now elect a fair, .conservative President, they would hope for a suspension of hostilities; that they would consider a suspension of hostilities almost equivalent to peace; for conditions, which they would not listen to from Mr Lincoln they would be happy to accept from another President. Some of them have also told5 me that a full and complete amnesty to all engaged in the rebellion, and a repeal of the Confiscation : Act, might have a tendency to end the' ■war immediately. "If you would only do *hat," said a rebel officer who held a high command, " I believe there would scarcely be a Southern soldier under, arms in thirty days. But the ■ last amnesty proclamation of Mr Lincoln defeats the object sought. to be attained, for it excludes from clemency i the very men who have the power to dis- i perse the armies." , Vlf a universal am- : nesty were proclaimed," he repeated, "I, believe there would scarcely be a Southern soldier»un4er arras in thirty days." • We embraced every favourable opportunity to impress upon the minds of the Southern people with whom we came in contact that it was the firm determination of the Federal Government to reclaim every foot of. Southern soil, and that if the Southern people did not hearken to the voice of conciliation, and accept the invitations to return, the war would be prosecuted till the flag of the Union should wave in triumph over land and sea. -■; '•■■;' ■■■"■■.'"■:"■■ ••■■ ; ■■■--■, "■ ■ •'•■'

The results of my observations lead me to the conclusion that the only way to have peace and union now is by a vigorous prosecution of the war. Thousands' of brave and 'noble soldiers, North and South, mii9tfair on the battle field; streams of fraternal, blood must flow again, making American soil still dearer to Americans, and millions of money must be lost before the war shall have been ended. lam led to this conclusion because I know the pride and determination of the people of both sections. Yet though the price in blood and treasure is tremendpus, it will be accounted cheap if, as is expected, the country will come out of the crucible purer and -better than before.