Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1865-03-27
FROM THE COHFEDERACT.
NEW Yopv Ho,ob o

A Washington correspondent makes 9
series of revelations for which he vouebes
concerning the rebel Coniederacv, of !
very important nature. he says the total
available military force Of the rebels i
l622, 1000 men, the figures being taken from
rolls IN the rebel War Department on Feb.
rusry 4th.
Among the witnesses before the rebel
Senate Committee TO inquire into the
condition Of the Conferacy was General
General Lee. He said it would be had
policy to eVscuate Richmond, as the Vir.
ginis troops would go into North Carolina.
that they hsd not troops enough to last till
midsummer If the war was to be carried on.
The least of the evils would be to arm 200
600 negroes, but they should be emaneins-
tee 1t would depend to great extent
on circumstances whether they would
succeed BY srming the slaves, but thew
could at least carry on the war another
year. The sentiment in the army was Al.
most unanimous for peace; the men will
light longer if necessary, but they believe
we cannot continue the war through an
other campaign. I think the bast policy
IS to make peace on the plan proposed by
Mr.. Stephens. The people and country
ought to be saved further sacrifices.
To the inquiry as to the probability of
pesoe being made befoT Te spring. and
whether he wonld take command of all the
armies, with unlimited powers, he replied
that he would take any position to which
his country called hin, but he did not think
he could save the cause now; that no hu-
man power can save it. He thought Ste
phens policy the best now. The army and
the people ought to be saved, if sll else is
lost.
A long list of Senators, Representatives.
and other public msn, who favor recon.
struction on the basis of the Union and Con-
stitution is given. -
Ex-senator @. G. Clay, recently returned
from England, reported that ENGLAND
would have nothing TO do with the Oonfed-
eracy.
When Mr.. Stephens returned from tha
Hampton Roads Conference he told his
friends that they would have peace before
May lst, 1865.
That the substance of what Mr.. Lincoln
was that he could make no terms with Mr..
Davis as the leader of the rebellion; that
he could not treat with States while thew
confessed allegiance to the Confederate
Government, but that he was willing TO
treat with States separately, and if pesce
was restored, would do all in his pover to
remit all pains and penalties incurred
Davis instructions were that negotiations
should be conducted a. between two inde-
pendent nstiOnalities and pending nego.
tistions, an srmistice of ninety days. These
were not entertained by Mr.. Lincoln as q
basis for negotiation. Mr.. Stephens looks
upon further efforts on the part of the
Confederate Government towards nego-
tistions, or to carry on war, as futile and
unjust to the people and States.
His plan for peace is: First, Let Presi-
dent Lincoln issue an address 10 the srmy
and people of the South, embodying what
he has said as to peace, and what passed at
the interview.
Second, Appoint commissioners to meat
State commissioners to consult on pesoa
and the return of the States on the condi-
ton of obedience to the Constitution and
he Laws.
Third. Election by the Ststes sending
commissioners of Congressman, who shall
enter Congress upon equal terms.
Mr.. Stephens believed this plan would
secure the appreciation. Of North Carolina.
Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi,
and perhaps South Carolina and Virginia.