The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-02-09

however much they might have been accusomed 70 them
In days gone by for II fact that violent gastronomic
changes have - much effect upon the human system ~
the changes Of the atmosphere upon barometer Men
whosre accustomed good eating and drinking all their
lives. and by iepreible necessity forced "a
fall back upon poor or Indifferent food a . substitute
show It's effects upon their constitution much niors
readily than poor men, who the habit Of regularly
subsistng ordinary diet While the latter class win
thrive and even grow fat the former will grow thin and
pine away The appearance Of the Southern commits
oners led 10 the idea that they belonged the former
class
When they nrst made their appearance IN front Of
lines they opened negotiations in spirited way. The
rst thing they wanted TO know whether there
any good whiskey side. Tho answer was prompt
'0f course there was and any quantity Of IL" Tho
bassadors thsreupon expressed desire TO have some
and were Immediately gratned It evidently long
time since they had tasted prime article for In
bsf space they had consumed what was sent ths aud
were under the necessity Of requesting further supply
The aromatic taste Of such nne liquor which they had
rarely heard Of since the rebellion doubt put them in
very good humor and al feelings Of hostility 70 the
Yankees for the moment Elm the deep bosom Of the
ocean buried" and they 1t once proposed an interview
The preliminaries up TO the meeting Of the President
Mr. Seward and the Southern already
well known and need not DO repes4ed
m ooRDIAIrT TEE INTERVIEW.
The interview between the President and Mr.. Seward
sids and Msssra Stephens Campbell and Hunter
the other was according Ill accounts exceedingly
pleasant 70 all concerned Nothing occurred to mar the
harmony good feeling during the entire interview.
What The South desired stated freely, without any
blusser appearance Of superciousne The President
informed them hat the people Of the North would not
entertain for moment the idea Of settlement short Of
restoration Of the Union and full obedience the laws
by the people Of the Southern Sates that he simply
the agent OF the people Of the United States and could
not he desired it. any other basis Of settle
mont The whole affair was . sort Of reconnaissance BY
The consulting parties both Sides Blair went TO Rich
nond ~ scout In the peace business, made certain
sounding ascerained the views Of Davis and other on
cals and reported that Affairs In favorable shape
Tor the termination Of the The condition
Of mind which he found many Of the leaders in gave
the administration here great hope that could be
minated 1t once and has been heretofore stated In
this correspondence Blas mission was success TO the
full extent that was contemplated when he first CON-
menced Through him the administration ascertained
fully the elements ct work in the South and how At
least the different leaders stood the question Of settle
ment He ascerained facts which presented the whole
affair in . far different light than was expected
Blair having returned his second mission as peace
scout, and having BY his statements convinced the
Southern leaders that there way open for their re-
turn TO the Union, Aessrs Stephens, Campbell end
Hunter were thereupon sent reconnaissance
lain II what Blair said did actually exist.
ALL The REzns ASKsp ron WAS An ARsrn,cE
TherA In No truth ~ tr ~ stat
sively circulated that the rebel Commissioners de-
manded recognition, and refused enter into negotia
tons except that basis The whole question Of peace
and the Views Of the two sections talked In
general way Stephens and associates did not in a of
this general conversation intimate whether they would
or would not accept anything else but recognition
and independence What they did say Was that
shsy did MOI desire 70 M any ultimatum a
. starting point In thor nesotiationa The ulsimatum
was question which, In their opinion, should b
arrived at through negotiation the Of settle
nsnt, and not fixed - the starting point They asked
as commissioners vested with full powers to treat ON
peace ahoud be appointed by both Sides and that there
should be armistice while negotiations pending
This was the sum and substance Of their Demand which
they claimed necessary work their people up to
the point Of reunion any other demand Of the federal
government This is to be sure adrot way getting
u the question Of peace and doubt more than
appears on the surface.
NJ LNCoLNs THREE PorSTs
Tho President and Mr.. Seward refused TO grant m
armistcc for asingie day. Mr. Lincoln informed them
that there three points which he would yield
l. That armistce would be granted for a single day
2 Tha, united country the only basis upon
which peace could be obtained Restoration Of Union
and fnl obedience 70 the laws by the people Of the
Southern States were the sisN qua won
3. That the action Of Congress IN regard slavery
should be recognized the law Of the landmcanng in
this the constitutional amendment.
Mr Lincoln insisted that reunion should be the basis
OF settlement and that united country should be the
groundwork Of all negotiations The rebel gentlemen
unwilling 10 consent 10 the appointment Of
missioners unless armstice wsre granted while nego
tiatous pending at least they held that they had
not the power TO bind the South such without
srmistce. Mr. Lincoln positively refused the srmisice
and the other point in reference 70 reunion and
united country, was not talked over II was not
said whether they would consent 10 that not They
had not the power 10 treat for peace II srmistice
refused IL would render all formal talk on other
points useless The armisticc the sticking point,
and that they went back Richmond report pro-
gress and ark for instructions This is the whole thing
in a NUTSHELL will be found when the Official re-
port Of the affair IL made. The rebel commissioners
appeared to think that temporary cessation Of hostcs
necessary to work the people Of the South up the
basis OF reunion with the North. Here liz where the
formal talk ended. There was considerable informal
conversation, during which almost everything connected
with the rebellion talked over well the Issues and
changes which have been brought about by virtue the
The interview ended with perfect good feeling and
the negotiating parties separated In the very best OF
hnmor The parting greeting cordial aud happy n
that of the best Of friends could be- The rebel commits
sioners returned 70 Richmond; the President and Mr.
Seward 70 Washington.