The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1865-07-12
THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
stephens, History OF It-TeTms
Wis., False COIoring OF Them.

The Augusta tGs.) Chronicle Of tie 7th
inst. publishes an article authorized, il not
prepared by Alex. II. Stephens, giving 80
inside view of the negotiations at Hampton
Roads, between Lincoln aud Seward, and
Messrs; Stephens, Hunter and CampbeIl.-
We make the following extracts.
Mr.. Lincoln stated fairly that the only
ground upon which he could rest the Justice
of the war-either with his own people or
foreign Powers-was that il was not a war
for conquest, but that the States never had
been separated from the Union Conse-
quently, he could not recognize another
Government inside of the one of which he
alone was President, nor admit tho separate
Independence Of States that were yet part
Of the Union. That, said he, would be
doing what you.have so long asked Europe
to do in vain, and be resigning the only
thing the armies Of the Union are fighting
for
To that Mr. Hunter replied at length, in
rather Congressional style, urging that, the
recognition of Mr.. Davis power to make
treaty was the first and Indispensable step
to peace, and referring TO the eorrespon-
Parliament, as reliable precedent Of q cop-
iNtOL ttCotiuS VIVA NtC ASDCih
Mr.. Lincoln's face bore that indescribable
expression which generally preceded his
hardest hits. and be remarked: Upon
questions Of history must refer you to Mr..
Seward, for be is posted in such things, and
don't propose to be bright. My only dis
tinet recollection of the matter is, that
Charles lost his head" This settled MIR.
Hunter Tor awhile.
There was little said about the fact that
! all almistice would be Of no benefit, unlesa
it preceded that which the North must
have, if her armies stopped from the tide
of victory, to wit: the restoration Of thu
Union and its laws.
Mr. Lincoln remark I'd that whatever con-
sequences may follow from the re-establish-
ment of thai authority, it must be accepted;
but individuals subject to pains and penal.
| ties under the laws of the United States
might rely upon very liberal use of the
powers confded to him to remit thoss pains
| and penalties if peace be restored,
| He also stated in the above connection
that, limited as he was by the Constitution,
he could not change or impair the power
OF Congress, nor abolish its laws, tor stay
the Judgment of the courts; for the legisla-
tive and judicial power had cocqual jurls.
diction with the executive. But he did
offer all the power of and pardon and infiu.
ence, both as the Chief Magistrate and as
popular party leader, and that is a better
| offer than rebels on the eve of destruction
power.
Mr. Hunter stated that he had never en-
tertained any fears for his person or life
| from so mild government as that OF the
United States, to which Mr.. Lincoln retort-
ed that he, also, had felt easy as to the reb.
els, but not always SO easy about the lamp
posts around Washington city--a hint that
he had already done more favors for the
rebels than was exactly popular with the
radical men of his own party, s.h
During the conference tbs proposed
amendments to the Constitution adopted by
Congress, on the 3lst, were brought, to no.
tlce. These amendments provide that neitR
er slavery nor involuntary servltude, except
for crimes, should exist within the United
States, or any place within its jurisdiction,
and Congress should have power to enforce
the amendment by appropriate legislation.
Mr.. Lincoln had almost assumed the tone
Of argument and iutimated that the States
might do much better to return to the I'm
ion at once than to stand the chances OF
continued war, and the increasing bitterness
of feeling in Congress, and that the time
might come when we would cease to be au
ering people, invited back to the Union as
citizens, but looked upon. perhaps, as enc
mics to be exterminated or ruined.
Mr. Seward then remarked 'Mr. Pres
ident it is well to inform these gentlemen
that yesterday Congress acted upon che
amendment to the Constitution abolshing
slavery" N ea n
Mr.. Lincoln stated that was true. and
suggested 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 consent Of the people as soon as posi-.
ble-he hoped within six years. He also
stated that four hundred millions of dollars
might be offered as compensation to the
owners, and remarked, You would be sur.
prised were to give you the names Of
those who favor that. "
Mr. Hunter said something about the
Iinhumanity of leaving SO many poor old
negroes and young children destitute by en-
couraging the able bodied negroes to run
away, and asked, what are they--the help.
less--to do3 a a1
Mr.. Lincoln said that reminded him Of
an old friend in Illinois, who had crop OF
4 potatoes and did not want to dig them.--
So he told neighbor that he would turn in
his hogs and let them dig them for them.
selves. But, said the neighbor, the frost
will soon be in the ground, and when tho
soil is hard frozen what will they do theni
To which the worthy farmer replied. "kt
en-, rooH'
Mr.. Stephens said he supposed that was
the original Of Root, Hog, or Die, and .
fair indication of the future of the negroes
And so the conference ended. Mr.. Steph.
ems reported to Davis that nothing had
been done, but believed the way open to Q
settlement. The Chronicle then says; Is
"Mr, Davis, however, looked upon the
proposals as insulting, and seemed to have
the concurrence of Mr.. Hunter in that view
somewhat He wished statement to 60
before the public that only insulting terms
were offered, bat the commissioners declin.
ed to make it, on the ground that it vas no,
true"
But Messrs Stephens, Hunter and Camp
T bell did unite id o report which was mad,
public, and from which the extension of th,
period Of emancipation to six years, aud ths
! offer Of four hundred millions of dollars "
! compensation to slave.owners, ,ods carefully
!, omitted
9 The Chronicle concludes its article - fol
. lows;
I 'Mr. Stephens came homo with bat ,
Q new cause OF sorrow, and those who said h,
. talked of coming home to make war speech
i es, and denounce the terms offered, simp
o LIED. Before Mr. Lncoln's death, n
i thought he was doing favor to hinf not 4,