The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-02-10
The Peace Conference.

AhS ChCC
There are various rumors and spec
'ulatons in relation 10 the rccen, Peace
Conference, Tor which we have no room,
and 10 which we attach but little import.
ance. 1t is reported ard generally be-
liove6 to have been an utter failure, though
Mr.. Greeley does not so regard it. The
following account may not be entirely
authentic, but is as clear and ineligible
as any we have seen:
New York. Feb. 6.-The Times Wash.
ingtOn spccial says: Mr.. Seward reached
Fortress Monroe in advance Of Mrssrs.
Stephens, Hunter aud Campbell. Upon
the arrival OF those geutiemen they weru
at once invited to an interview and inform.
cd Mr.. Seward of their desire to proceed
TO Washington Tor the purpose of discuss.
ing the question of peace with the Presi
dent. Mr.. Seward informed them that j,
was the Presidents wish that the discussion
should take place at Fortress Monroe and
that no had beon sent to meet them at that
point upon that subject.
Tho Commissioners pressed, with consid.
erable earnestnoss, for leave to visit Wash
lngtOn aud finally alleged that their Gov.
ernment had consented to send them out.
10 consequence of MIR. B!alrs assurance
that they should have a personal intorviev
with President Lincoln. Mr.. Seward as
sured them that this pledge should be ful
filled and at once tolegraphed to the Prtsi.
dent that his presence was necessary.
After Mr.. LincoIn's arrival tho confer.
ence lasted four hours and was perfectly
friendly and good tempered throughout.
On our side the conversation was mainly
conducted by thu President. On thehs by
Mr. Hunter, Mr.. Stephens occasionally
tuking part.
The rebel commissioners said nothing
whatever. of their personal viows or wishes
but spoke sooly and exclusively for their
Government, and at tho outset and through
out the conference declared their eutir,
lack of authority TO make, receive or con.
slider any proposition. whatever, looking to.
ward close OF tho war. except on tho ba.
sis OF a recognition of Tho Independence OF
Tho Confederate Statos as q preliminary
condition.
Tho President presented tho suhicct to
them in every conceivable form, suggns ING
the most liberal and considerate mOtllfca
tion of whatever iE tho existing Legislation
and action of the United States Govern
ment might bo regarded as specially hostil,
to the rights and interests, or woundng tt
tho prido OF the southern people. but in Dl
slng'o particular could he induce them tr
swerve for a moment from thoir demanC
| for recognition.
They did not present this conspicuousy
as resting on thoir own convictions or wish
! es, but as tho condition which their Gov
ernmont had made absolutely indspensa
bic to any negotiations or discussions what.
over concerning peace.
President Lincoln, on the other hand. in
formed them at cvery point that such rec
ognitiou was utterly and totally out of the
question; that the United States could stop
tho war and arrest evon temporarily the
moyement Of it's armies only on the condi-
ton prccodent-that the authority of the
National Government should be recognized
and obeyed over the whole territory of tht
United States. This point conceded. hs
assured them that upon evory other matter
of difference they would DO treated will
the utmost liborality, but without that rec
Ognition the war must and would 20 on
All the conversation which took place be-
tween the respective parties, come back I,
and turned upon this radical and irreconc ci
liable difference. Neither sido could b,
swayed hairs breadth from it's position
anc therefore tho attompt at negotiation
was an utter failure.
Upon separating, il was distinctly undcr
stood, aud explicitly stated. that tho atti
tude OF each governmon: was to bo precise
ly what it would have been if this ntcrviov
bad never taken place,
The Cabinet received these explanation
as complete and satisfactory. aud the feel
ing was unanimous and earnest that tn
country must now arouso itself to ronowe,
efforts, and prepare to make fresh sacrifice
in defense of the integrity Of the Union, an,
the preservation oc tho Government.
As you know the source of this dispatch
! need not assure you that 1t is perfectly re
liable.