Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-02-07
drde0tapbilt
The Peace Conference at Fort
ress MOnrOe-Fhe ResuIt--Secre.
tary Fessenden 10 Retire from
rIna

,ress MOnrOe-Fhe ResuIt-Secre.
tary Fessenden 10 Retire from
the Treasury.
New YORK, Feb. G-The Times Wash
ington special says: Mr.. Seward reached
Fortress Monroe In advance of Messrs.
Stephens, Hunter and Campbell. Upon the
arrival of these gentlemen they were at
once invited to an interview, and informed
Mr. Seward of their desire to proceed to
Washington for the purpose of discussing
the question of peace with the President
MIR. Seward informed them that it was the
Presidents wish that the discussion should
take place at Fortress Monroe, and that he
had been sent to meet them at that point
upon that subject. The commissioners
pressed, with considerable earnestness, for
leave to visit Washington, and finally al
legged that their Government had consented
70 send them only in consequence OF Mr.
Blair's assurance that they should have
personal interview with President Lincoln.
MIR. Seward assured them that this pledge
should be fulfilled, and at once telegraphed
to the President that his presence was nee
essary. After Mr.. Lincoln's arrival the
conference lasted four hours, and was per-
fectly friendly and good tempered through
out. On our side the conversation was
mainly conducted by the President; ON
theirs by Mr.. Hunter, Mr.. Stephens occa-
sionally taking part.
| The rebel Commissioners said nothing of
their personal views and wishes, but spoke
solely and exclusively for their Govern
ment, and at the outset and throughout the
| conference declared their entire lack of au-
| thority to- make, receive or consider any
proposition whatever looking toward q
| close of the war, except on the basis of a
recognition of the independence of the
Confederate States as preliminary condi-
tion. The President presented the subject
to them in every conceivable form, sug-
gesting the most liberal and considerate
modification of whatever in the existing
legislation and action of the United States
Government might be regarded as specially
hostile to the rights and interests, or wound
ing to the pride of the Southern people; but
In no single particular could he in
duce them to swerve for a moment from
their demand for recognition. They did
not present this conspicuously as resting on
their own convictions or wishes, but as the
condition which their Government had
made absolutely indispensable to any nego-
tiations or discussions whatever, concerning
peace.
President Lincoln, on the other hand, in
formed them at every point that such rec
ognition was utterly and totally out of
the question; that the United States could
stop the war and arrest even temporily the
movement of its armies only on the condi-
tion precedent, that the authority of the
National Government should be recognized
and obeyed over the whole territory of the
United States. This point conceded, he as
sured them that upon every other mat
ter of difference they would be treat
ed with the utmost liberality; but without
that recognition, the war must and would
go on.
All the conversation which took place
between the respective parties came back
to and turned upon this radical and ire.
constable difference. Neither side could
be swerved hairs breadth from its posi-
ton, and therefore that attempt at negotia-
ton was an utter failure. Upon separating
1t was distinctly understood and explicitly
stated that the attitude of each Government
was to be precisely what it would have
been if this interview had never taken place.
The Cabinet received these explanations
as complete and satisfactory, and the feel
ing was unanimous and earnest that the
country must now arouse itself to renewed
efforts and prepare to make fresh sacrifices
in the defense of the integrity of the Union
and the preservation of the Government.
AS you know the source OF this dispatch, |
need not assure you that it is perfectly re-
liable. ..'.'.',.
WASHINGTON, Feb. Cit is reported and
believed that since the Presidents return
he has related to the Cabinet the particulars
of the conference with the rebel Commits
siOners, and they all indorse his course. No
official action has, however, taken place.
TO-day's Chronicle says that Stephens,
Hunter and Campbell have before this
laid their case before the Southern peo-
pie, and these people have heard, or
must soon hear that their leaders would
consent to nothing but the recognition of
the rebellion. We are of course unable and
unauthorized to say how much Mr.. Lincoln
was willing to concede. The only condi-
tion to honorable peace seems to have been
declined by the rebel Commissioners, that
condition being the restoration of the Fed
eral Union and obedience to all the laws of
Congress. .........
1t is understood that Mr.. Fesse ndens re-
tirement from the Treasury Department. will
take place within few days. and it is con-
fidently predicted, L believe truly, that his
successor will be from the city of New York.
In the present condition of the finances,
and with the certainty that the war is now
to be carried on with renewed vigor and de-
termination on both sides this becomes a
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