The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-07-07

with foreign Powers--was that It was not
war for conquest, but that the States never
had been separated from the Union; conse-
quently he could not recognize another Gov
eminent inside of the one in which he alone
was President, nor admit the separate moe
pendence of States that were yet part OF me
Union. ssThat." said he, "would be doing
what you have SO long asked Europe 70 90 IN
vain, and be resigning the only thing that the
armies of the union are fighting for: y
To that Mr.. Hunter replied at lengtn, "
recoenition of Mr.. Daviss power TO make
treaty was the first and indispensable step TO
peace, and referring to the correspondence be-
tween King Charles the First and MS farIa,
ment. as reliable precedent of constitutional
ruler treating with rebels.
Mr.. LincoIn's face then wore that indescri.
bable expression which generally preceded MS
hardest Fits, and he remarked: Upon CUES
tons of history must refer you to Mr; sew
ard, for he is posted in such things, and don't
propose to be bright. My only distinct recol-
lection of the matter is that Charles lost his
head" That settled Mr.. Hunter for while.
There was little said about the fact that an ar
mistice would be of no benefit, unless IT pre-
coded that which the North must have, if her
armies stopped from the tide of victory Ito
wit: the restoration of the Union and its law.
Mr.. Lincoln remarked that whatever conse-
uuences may follow from the blishment
Of that authority, 1t must be accepted; but In
dividuals subject to pains and penalties under
the laws of the United States might rely upon
very liberal use of the powers confined to
him to remit those pains and penalties If peace
be restored. o. ~ go -
He also stated in the above connection that
limited as he was by the Constitution. he
could not change or impair the power of Con-
gress nor abolish its laws, nor stay the judg-
dicial power had coequal jurisdiction with the
Executive. But he did offer all the power Of
mercy, and power and influence, both as the
Chief Magistrate as q popular party leader,
and that is better offer than rebels on the eve
of destruction and ruin ever had before from q
victorious power.
Mr.. Hunter stated that he had never enter
tanned any fears for his person'or life from so
mild government as that of the United States.
had felt easy as to the rebels, but not always so
easy about the lamp posts around Washington
City-a hint that he had already done more IA
yors for the rebels than was exactly popular
with the radical men of his own party.
Z During the conference the proposed amend
ments to the Constitution adopted by Congress
on the 31st, were brought to notice. These
amendments provide that neither slavery nor
involuntary servitude except for crimes, should
within its Jurisdiction, and Congress should
have power to enforce the amendment by ap.
propriate legislation.
Mr.. Lincoln had almost assumed the tone of
argument, and intimated that the States might
do much better to return to the Union ut once
than to stand the chances of continued war
and the increasing bitterness of feeling in Con-
gTess. And that the time might come when
we would cease to be an erring people, invited
perhaps as enemies, to be eXterminated or ru-
ined.
Mr.. Seward then remarked: "Mr. Presi-
dent, It is as well to inform these gentlemen
that yesterday Congress acted upon the amend
ment to the Constitution abOlishing slavery"
Mr.. Lincoln stated that was true, and sug.
gested that there was question as to the right
of the insurgent States to return at once and
claim right to vote upon the amendment to
which the concurrence of two-thirds of the
States was required.
He stated that it would be desirable to have
the institution of slavery abolished by the con-
sent of the people as soon as possible hoped
within six years. He also stated that four hum
dred millions of dollars might be offered as q
compensation to the owners, and remarked |:
" You would be surprised were to give you
Mr.. Hunter said something about the inhu-
manity of leaving so many poor old negroes
and young children destitute by encouraging
the able bodied negroes to run away, and asked
what are they-the helpless-to do?
. Mr.. Lincoln said that reminded him of an
old friend in Illinois, who had a crop of pota-
toes and did not want to dig them. So he told
neighbor that he would turn in his hogs and
let them dig for themselves. But, said the
neighbor, the frost will soon be in the ground,
and when the soil is hard frozen, what will
they do then? To which the worthy farmer
replied, LET 'em root"
Mr.. Stephens said he supposed that was the
origin of "Root hog or die, and fair indica-
ton of the future of the negro.
The finishing up part of the report of
Mr.. Davis's commissioners reads thus
Of all the correspondence that preceded the
conference herein mentioned, and leading to
the same, you have heretofore been informed.
Very respectfully yonr obedient servants,
r. NJ. T.. HUNTER.
JOHN A. CAMPBELL.
We remark now that all we know of the
correspondence above mentioned we have
from the report of Mr.. Seward, as Mr..
Davis never favored us with it.
The whole meeting was friendly, and
the parting cordial, as reported. Mr..
Stephens reported to, Mr.. Davis that moth
ing had been done, but that nothing was
determined, and that if he relied upon the
sincerity of Mr.. Blair, the conference was
but a confirmation of the desire for peace
on the part of the United States, and the
way open for settlement. Mr.. Davis, how.
ever, looked upon the proposals as insult.
ing, and seemed to have the concurrence
of Mr.. Hunter in that view-somewhat
He wished statement to go before the
public that only insulting terms were ten.
dered; but the commissioners declined
to make it, on the ground that it was moi
true. Ga5 asa 81. 9ias
With some difficulty they secured the
reception of the brief and perfectly truth.
fol, but not very clear report that wal
published, and Mr.. Davis put the colorine
to it and endeavored to SECURE his objecl
of crushing the great Southern peace party