The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-06-29

convention as nearly as we caufe1ne4u-
Der 1t from the statement OF hf. Steph-
enst to US. directly atter his return.
The editor ofthe Sertinel proceeds to
tell, with some minuteness, the pro-
ceedings of the Fortress Monroe con-
ference, the substance of which is
already familiar to theworld. He gives
great credit to Mr.. Lincoln for the di-
rectnessand= franknass with which he.
told tho rebel commissioners that the
Government would never treat with the
Confederacy asa poWer-nor with the
States as individual members of a
power at war with the United States.
The Government would simply treat
with them as States in revolt, but will
ing to cease from their rebellion.
Mr.. Lincoln stated fairly that the only
ground upon which he could rest the
people or with foreign Powers-was
that it was not war for conquest, but
thatithe States never had been sepa-
rated from the Union. Consequently
he could not recognize another Govern
ment inside of the one of which he alone
was President, nor admit the separate
independence of States that were yet a
be doing what you hRvo SO long asked
Europe to do in vain, and be resigning
the only thing, that the armies 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 firstand indis-
pensnble step to peace, and referring to
the correspondence between King
| Charles the First and his Parliament as
a reliable precedent, of a constitutional
ruler, treating with rebels.
Mr.. Lincoln's face then wore that
indiscribable expression which gener-
ally preceded his hardest hits, and he
remarked: upon questions of history
must refer you to Mr.. Seward, for he
is posted in such things, and don't
propose to BIO bright. My only distinct
recollection of tho matter is, that Charles
lost his head" That settled Mr.. Hunter
! for II while.
There was little said about the fact
that an armistico would be of no bene-
fit, unless it preceded that which the
i North must have, if her armies stopped
from the tide of victory, to wit: the
restoration of the Union and its laws.
Mr.. Lincoln remarked that whatever
consequences may follow from the re-
establishment of chat authority, it must
be accepted; but Individuals subject 10
| pans and penalties under the lars of the
United States, might rely upon q UeIy
liberal use Of the PolCerS c0mJfded to hG1
to remit those pains and penalties and
peace be restored.
He also stated in the above connec-
ton, that limited as he was by the
Constitution, he could not change or
impair the power of Congress, nor abol-
iSh its laws, nor stay the judgments of
tho courts; for the legislative and judi
cial powers had coequal Jurisdiction
with the executive. But he did offer all
tho power of mercy, and pardon and
and as a popular party leader, and that
I is better offer than rebels on the eve
| of destruction and ruin ever had before
from a victorious power.
Mr.. Hunter stated that he had never
entertained any fears for his person or
life from SO mild n Government as that
of the United States. To which Mr..
easy as to theSrebels, but not always so
easy about the lamp posts around
Washington city-a hint that he had
already done moro favors for the rebels
than was exactly popular with the rad
ical men of his own party.
During the conference the proposed
amendments to the Constitution adopted
by Congress on the 3lst, were brought
to notice; these amendments provide
that neither slavery or involuntary
servitude, except for crime, should exist
within tho 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 intimated that
the States might do much better to re-
turn to the Union ut once, than tc
stand tho chances of continued war
and the increasing bitterness of feeling
iVN TnNrrroasp rnA
come when we would cease to be ar
erring people, invited back to the Unior
as citizens; but looked upon, perhaps
us enemies to be eXterminHted or ruined
Mr.: Seward then remarked: "NIr
! President, 1t is as we'll to inform thes,
, gentlemen that yesterday Congress!
acted upon the amendment to the Con
stitution abolishing slavery"
Mr.. Lincoln stated that was true, anC
: suggested that there was question III
to the right of the insurgent States t,
return at once and claim IL right to vOtt
upon the amendment TO which tn,
concurrence of tWo-thir6is of the Stute
, was required.
He stated that it would be desirable
to have the institution of slavery abol
ished by the consent of the people, n
soon ms possible-he hoped within 81,
years. He also stated that four hun
dred millions of dollars might be offer
remarked, "YOu would be SURPRISED
$ were to give you the names of thos
who favor that"
Mr.. Hunter said something about tn
: tnhumanity of leaving SO many poo
Q old negroes and young children desti
tute, by encouraging the able-bodieo
negroes to run away; and asked wha
are they-the helPleSS-to doH
e Mr., Lincoln sud that reminded hin
: of an old friend in Illinois, who had
crop of potatoes and did not want I,
; dig them. So he told neighbor tina
he would turn in his hogs and let then
/ dig them for themselves. But, said tn
neighbOr, the frost will soon be i'll tn
ground, and when The soil is hard froz
en-, whit will they do thenP To whicl
the worthy fnrlner replied, ''let Ca
!. root re-
Mr.. Stephens said he supposed tina
was the original of Root Hog or Die,
and Il fair Indication of the future .
| the negroes.
Tho whole meeting was friendly, an,
the parting cordial as reported. Mr.
Stephens reported to Mr.. Davis tina