Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1865-02-15
THE LATE PEACE CONFERENCE.

A Washington correspondent Of the n.
\. Tribune gives the !oIloGing account of
The late interview between President Lin.
coin and Secretary Seward. on the one
part, and Messrs. Stevens, Hunter and
Campbell, of the rebel authorities. As
soon as we get the account of this inter
view, as furnished from Richmoud-which
Will most likely be in day or two-we
will give it also, when our readers will be
better able tojudge where the blame rests :.
WASHINGTON, Feb. SO p' M.-Tbe
Hampton Roads conference, as it will be
known Ia history was held between Ste
vens, Hunter and Campbell on one side
and President LINCOLN and Secretary Sew
ard on the other, with Q plenipotenliary
from Africa, friendly to both parties and
serVlceaole 10 each, VINO CauIe anu weut
with things on salver.
The conference opened, as we intima-
ted on Thursday that it would open, with
"Reminiscences of the old Washington life
and inquiries after common friends and
acquaintances' Stephens was worn, and
had look of anxiety end WEAKNESS. This
justly should be imputed to the disease
which unceasingl y saps and wastes the vi
taIity of.ihe ablest and brayest of Amerl-
cans. Hunter Was in q fine condition, and
lofty and confident as of yore. Campbell,
too, was his old self. All were marked
with strength, assurances Of the future,
and consciousness of power There was
in no ono OF them trace Of suppliance.
not one was in look, word, or carriage a
suiior for peace.
The salyer Of the pienipotentiary from
Africa bridgeI The passage over topics Of
kindly and pleasant talk to significant
inquiry of Stephens how nearly the ex-
tension of The Capitol was completed, and
the expression Of q desire to 20 TO Wash
ingOn TO see. Mr. Seward told him Of
the condition of the work, and invited
him to come and loo!: Mt the Capitol of a
reunited Republic. The terms of peace
were thus gradually approached Whom
fully reached on the rebel side, Stephens
took the parole and surpassed all his old
exhibitions Of persuasiveuess, shrewlness,
force, tact, and courage ia putting the de-
mand5 and the rights of the Confederacy
In the midst of them, and at the copclu-
sion of one of his points, Mr.. Lincoln
swung forward on the lower hinge of his
back and interrupted: That reminds me
OF story man oct in Illinois " Sleph-
ems, Hunter, and campbe!l instantly jun
ped up in a roar Of GerrimeHt
The interruption caused by this Gharac-
Ieristic outbreak, and the apt story which
followed being through with, the rebel
Vice President resumed. anl pursued to
the end OF his statement Of the rights Of
the Confederate States and the terms on
which he thought they would be willing
to stop the war, Recognition was the first
OF them The proposition for an armis-
tice was, Of course, logical sequence.
1t is very certain that Mr. Lincoln and
Mr.. Seward were surprised at striking
this snag in the very outset of the confer
ence. The preliminary cropping and feel
ing around by our pioneer Of peace, and
bis assuraIces and convictions, had led
tG the belief that the three enjoys had
entered our lines 10 talk Of restored I'm
ion and q common country. They had
stayed tor about two days at the army
headquarters IN conversations there with
Generals Grant, Mead, and one or Two
other Generals Stephens proIessed to
love the old Union, to he as much as ever
in his feelings an American Of the United
States. and deplored tho necessity which
politics placed him AID all the leaders of
the rebellion in TO have something to
give to the decimated and Impoverished
people of the South for their sacrifices.
1t is understood that .hey declared ,at
headquarters that If we would recognize
Them for only week, or any, sultaoie
length of time, to satisfy the pride OF tnelr
people. they would pledge their honor 10
bring about reunion =
Whatever was the precise character OF
tbeir admissions or intimOIions, oor peace
nrospectors went TO Fortress Monroe on
what they felt was a sue thing