Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-03-27
Condition Ofthe Con Onfederacy--Lee's
Testimony Before IN Committee
of the Rebel Sennte-Vice Presi-
dent stephens Plan for the Res
tOratiOu Of Pence.

tOratiOn of Peace.
New York, March PA Washington
correspondent makes series of revelations,
for which he vouches, concerning the rebel
Confederacy, of very important nature.
He says the total available military force
of the rebels is $4,000 men, the figures be-
ing taken from rolls in the rebel War De-
partment on Feb. 4th.
Among the witnesses before the rebel
Senate committee to inquire into the con-
dition of the Confederacy, was General Lee.
He said it would be bad policy to evacuate
Richmond, as the Virginia troops would
not 90 into North Carolina. They had not
troops enough to last till midsummer if the
war was to be carried on. The least of
evils would be to arm 100000 negroes; but
they should be emancipated. 1t would de-
pend upon circumstances whether they
would succeed by arming the slaves, but
they could at least carry on the war anoth-
er year. The sentiment In the army was
almost unanimous for peace. The men will
fight longer, if necessary; but they believe
we can't continue the war through another
campaign. think the best 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 if peace be not made before spring,
whether he would take commanded all the
armies, with limited powers, he replied that
he would take any position to which his
country called him; but he did not think
he could save the cause now. No human
power can save it. He thought Sterhens'
policy was the best now. The army and
the people ought to be saved, if all else is
lost.
A long list of Senators, Representatives
and other public men who are in favor of
reconstruction on the basis of the Union
and Constitution, is given.
Ex-senator G. c. Clay recently returned
from England, and reports England would
have nothing to do with the Confederacy.
When Mr.. Stephens returned from the
Hampton Roads conference he told his
friends that they would have peace before
May 1st, 1866; that the substance of what
Mr.. Lincoln said was, that he could make
no terms with Mr.. Davis as leader of the
rebellion; that he could not treat with the
States while they confessed allegiance to the
Confederate Government; but that he was
willing to treat with the States separately,
and if peace was restored, would
do all in his power to remit pains
and penalties. Davis instructions were
that negotiations shall be conducted as be-
tween two independent nationalities, and
pending negotiations an armistice of 80
days. These were not entertained by Mr..
Lincoln as a basis for negotiation. Mr..
Stephens looks upon further effort on the
part of the Confederate Government to-
wards negotiations, or to carry on the war,
as futile and unjust to the people and
States. His plan for peace is, first, let Pres
ident Lincoln issue an address to the army
and people of the South, embodying what
he has said as to peace and what passed at
the interview; second. ppointcomTission-
ers to meet State commissioners to consult
on peace and return of States on condition
of obedience to the Constitution and laws |;
third, election by the States sending COM
missioners, of Congressman, who shall en-
ter Congress upon equal terms. Stephens
believed this plan would secure the appro-
baton of North Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Alabama, Mississippi; and perhaps South
Carolina and Virginia.