Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-03-29

When Mr.. Stephens came back from Fortress
Monroe, he said 10 BIS friends that be vas no;
dis ppointec az the failure Of his mission that be
knew before he started IL would fail BE vas
nov satisfied that Mr. Lincoln would not make
peace with Davis 90 sny terms. but be vas more
saDguine than ever that peace was within reach
Of the country He was quite certsin we should
have peace. and an honorable peace. before May
l. 1855 This result, he declared. was in the
hands Of The people, and If the people desired
peace. neither Davis nor any other man. nor set
Of men. could prevent IT,
WHAT President LIxcoLx SAID.
The substance of Mr.. Lincoln language. as
reported By Mr. Stephens. was that he could not
treat with Davis as the leader Of the rebellion.
That the so-called government of the couleder-
ate states could not be acknowledged That he
could not treat with the states while they con
fessed allegiance 20 and formed a part Of that
government. But that he was willing 10 treat
with the states separately, OF with any number o.
them on the basis Of the union and the constitu
ton. That If peace were restored he would do
all in his power TO remit those pains and penal
ties to which individuals bad subjected them
selves by rebellion against the government That
in no Circumstances would he recognize the IN
dependence Of the confederacy. or treat withit a
a separate power. That he could not enter into
any tIuce or armistice with Davis az (so-cslledl
president Of those states
DAVIS ISsTRU 5TIoNs
we're SUBSTANTIALLY as follows:
First, That negotiations shall be conducted ~
between two independent nationaIItes
Second. That pending the negotiations an ar
mstice of 30 days shall be proclaimed. These
instructions were communicated 10 Mr.. Lincoln
but were not entertained as n basis Of negotia
ton.
WHAT M STEPHENS THOUGHT.
Stephens thought that the negotiations NIGH
form q basis for declarations by Mr. Lincoln u
his inaugural on the fourth of March. and tia
the president would them proclaim plan which
would be generally accepted by the states az
basis of settlement lie Mr. Stephens) look
upon any further effort by the confederate gov
eminent toward negotiations. or 10 carry on III,
war as futile. and unjust to the people aud I'd,
states Ia word. he considers the functions o
the confederate government at an end
STEPHENS PLAN FoR PEACE
Stephens proposed:
First Let President Lincoln issue an addres
to the army and people of the south embodyiD,
in that address what be has before said as &
peace, and also what passed At his interview will
| the commissioners.
Second Agree 10 appoint commissioners OF
Il
mssloners on the part OF such states desire &
meet at Nashville Louisville OF Cincinnati, il
| April or May. TO consult as TO a peace. or tn
basis of such states returning to the union upor
the sole condition OF obedience TO the consltu
ton and laws of the republic.
! Third. An election by said states as shall sen'
commissioners 10 that convention, OF senator
aud representatives. to the congress of the Unite
States, to enter such congress upon coal term
with other members OF it. and such states TO hay
/ equality on The floor Of congress with othe
states.
Mr.. Stephens believed this plan would secur
! the APPRECIATION OF North Carolina, GeOrgis
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and perhaps o
South Carolina and Virginia He quit
sure it would command the assent of az least -
states. In present circumstance he might reas
onaby hope it would be still more general
adopted.