Memphis Daily Appeal

OVERTURES FOR PEACE.

We publish this evening, from the Chicago Times of the 10th inst., a lengthy statement made to that journal by a Mr. Greene, relative to certain overtures of peace which he says were made through him by Mr. Davis to the Federal Cabinet at Washington. The account is circumstantial, and prepared with care; yet we cannot but regard it as a fabrication, and express the opinion that Mr. Greene is a myth.

The Times, however, has faith in the statement, and says: We print it precisely as it comes to us, and we have not a shadow of doubt of its perfect and entire truthfulness. This confidence is inspired by numerous interviews with Mr. Greene and by numerous testimonials to his character.

The administration at Washington have seen fit to deny, if we may believe the Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune, that they have received from Richmond any overtures for peace whatever. We quote from a telegraphic dispatch in that paper of Saturday last, dated Washington, December 5, 1862:

The statement in the Barney letter, printed in to-day's Tribune, that Dr. Barney has had an interview with President Lincoln, is contradicted on the highest authority. It is further to be stated, on the same authority, that the President has no knowledge whatever of the statements contained in the letter, and that no communication on that subject, or embodying such information, has been made to him in any way. Leading Republicans deny all knowledge of the matter, and the supposition that this letter has any weight, from their alleged attention to Dr. Barney's statement, is entirely erroneous. It may be added that no recent communication from Fernando Wood has been received by the President, and none whatever on these or any similar subjects.

The publication of Greene raises a direct issue of veracity with the administration of Lincoln. The latter will probably take Mr. G. in hand if, as we suppose, he is fibbing.

Our impression is that this publication is made at the North at the present time for the purpose of feeling the public pulse, and that it probably contains the points upon which the conservatives will endeavor to bring about a reconstruction. The Times makes no remarks about the matter, except to say: If such overtures for peace have been made from Richmond to Washington as Mr. Greene describes, and if it be at all questionable what course the administration at Washington are taking with them, we think every good man will agree with us that the publication of Mr. Greene's statement is timely and wise. These overtures are by far the most important event of the war, and the interest of the country in them will be intense. We defer further comment upon them until we shall hear from the administration at Washington.