Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1865-02-15

President Joined him there on the night Of
the I'd of February
The Richmond party was brought down
the James river In United States steam
transport, during the day, and the trans
port was anchored in Hampton Roads on
the moring of the 3d. The President, at
tended by the Secretary, received Messrs,
Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, on board
the United States steam transport River
Queen, in Hampton Roads.
The conference was altogether informal
There was no attendance Of secretaries,
clerks, or witnesses Nothing was written
or read. The conversation, although earnest
and free, was calm and courteous and kiEd,
on both sides The Richmond party ap-
preached the discussion rather indirectly,
and at no time did they make categorical
demands or tender formal stipulations or
absolute refusals; nevertheless, during the
conference, which lasted four hours, the
several points at issue between the Gov
erument and the insurgents were distinctly
raised and discussed fully, intelligently,
and IN an amicable spirit. What the in
surgent party seemed chiefly to favor was
postponement Of the question desperation
upon which the war was waged, and mu-
tual direction of the efforts of the Govern
ment as well as those of the insurgents, to
some extraneous policy or scheme for a
season, during which passions might be
expected to subside and the armies be
reduced, and intercourse between the peo-
pie of both sections be resumed.
1t was suggested by them that through
such postponement we might now have
immediate peace, with some, not very
certain, prospect of an ultimate satisfactory
adjustment of political relations between
the Government and the States, section or
people now engaged in conflict with it,
The suggestion, though deliberately con-
sldered, was nevertheless regarded by the
President as one OF armistice or truce, and
he announced that we can agree to no
cessation or suspension Of hostilities except
on the basis Of the disbandonment of the
insurgent forces, and the restoration OF
the national authority throughout all the
States in the Union colaterally, and in
subordination to the proposition which Was
thus announced.
The anti slavery policy of the United
States was reviewed in all its bearings, and
the President announced that he must not
be expected to depart from the positions be
had heretofore assumed in his proclamation
Of emancipation and other documents. a.
these positions we're reiterated in his annual
message.
1t was futher declared by the President
that the complete restoration OF the national
authority everywhere was an indispensable
condition of any assent Oh our part to what
ever form of peace might be proposed
The President assured the other party that
while he must adhere to these positions he
would be prepared, so far as power was
lodged with the Executive, to exercise
liberality. Its power, however, is limited
by the Constitution, and when peace should
be made Congress must necessarily act in
regard to appropriations of money and TO the
admission of representatives from the in
surrectionary States.
The Richmond party were then Informed
that Congress had on the 3lst ult adopted,
by constitutional majority, joint res
olution submitting to the several States the
proposition to abolish slavery throughout
the Union, and that there is every reason
to expect that it will soon be accepted by
three fourths of the States, so as to become
a part of the national organic law
The conference came to an end BY mutual
acquiescence, without producing an agree
ment Of views upon the several matters
discussed, or any of them. Nevertheless,
it is perhaps of some importance that we
have been able to submit our opinions and
views directly to prominent insurgents,
and to hear them in answer, in courteous
and not unfriendly manner.