The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1865-02-09
The Peace Negotiations,

gotiatlons between Lincoln and Seward and |
the Rebel Commissioners The interview
lasted SIXTEEN hours, according to the Hrr- |
dtfS correspondent The President liz re
ported to have proposed to Messrs. Stephens
Hunter and Campbell that if they were pro-
pared to promise a return of their States TO
the Union, he was ready to waive all minor |
questions, but that as Chief Magistrate of
the Republlc, sworn to maintain the Union, |
he could take iuto consideration no terms
which Involved it's division, This great
point the rebels confessed they did not feel
authorized to decide, and so the negota-
tions ended. -
The conference took place internally OH
board of one or the other Of the three steam
ers, which were anchored i'll Hampton
Roads, where the neg9tiators could not be
interrupted i'll their proceedings. 1t was
conducted i'll the most cordial and frank
manner on both sides, but ON the part of
Mr. Lincoln, at least with equal frmness.
Great anxiety ID now felt to hear from Rich !
uond. -.s.
NEw York. Feb. 4.-The P0srs Wash
ington special says: MIR. Lincoln declares
without reserve that the peace negotiations
were failure"
There are indications that peace will
speedily be won by war. Decisive news
are expected from Sherman next week.
NEW YORK, Feb. 6.--The Times Wash
ington special says Mr.. Seward reached
Fort Monroe lii advance of Messrs. Stephens
Hunter and Campbell. Upon the arrival Of
these gentlemen they were at once invited
to AN interview and informed Mr. Seward of
their desire to proceed to Washington for
the purpose Of discussing the question of
peace with the President MIR. s. informed
them that it was tho Presidents wish that.
the discussion should take place at Fortress
Monroe, and that he had been sent to meet
them at that point upon that subject Tbs
commissioners pressed with considerable
earnestness for leave to visit Washington.
and finally alleged that their government
had consented to send them only in conse-
quence of MIR. Blair's assurance that they
should have a personal interview with Pres.
| ident Lincoln. r...
Mr.. s. assured them that his pledge
should be fulfilled aud at once telegraphed
to President Lincoln that his presence was
necessary. After Mr.. Lincolns arrival the
conference lasted four hours and was per-
fectIy friendly and of good temper.
On our side the conversation was mainly
i
by Mr.. Hunter, Mr. Stephens occasionally
taking part The rebel commissioners said
nothing whatever of their personal views or
wishes, but spoke wholly and exclusively
for their Government, and at the outset and
throughout the conference, declared their
entire lack of authority to make, re-.
ceive or consider, any proposition whatever
looking toward close of war, except on the
&c 80 j.,
) the Confederate States asa preliminary con-
!, dition.
The President presented the subject to
them inevery conceivable form, suggesting
the most liberal and considerable moditica
r tion of whatever in the existing legislation
and action of the United States Government
might be regarded as especially hostile to
the rights and interests, Or wounding to the
pride Of the Southern people, but in no sin
, gle particular, could he induce them to
swerve for a moment from their demand
for recognition. They did not present this
couspicuousiy as resting on their own con
victions or wishes, but as the condition
which their Government had made abso-
lutely indispensable to any negotiations or
discussions what ever concerning peace.
President Lincoln on the other hand, in
formed them that at every point that such
! recognition was utterly and totally out of
. the question that the United States could
stop the war and arrest even temporarily
the movement Of its armies, only on the
condition precedent that the authority OF
! the National Government should be recog-
uized and obeyed. over the whole territory
Of the United States.
This point conceded he assured them that
upon every other matter of difference they
would be treated with the utmost liberality
but without that recognition the war must
go on. All the conversation which took
place between the respective parties come
back to and turned upon this radical and ir-
reconCiable difference; neither side could be
swcrved a hairs breadth from its position
and therefore the attempt at negotiation
was an utter failure. Upon separating it
was distinctly understood and explicitly
stated that the attitude of each Cover nment
was to he precisely what it would have
been if this interview had never taken place.
The cabinet received these explanations rs
complete aud satisfactory and the feeling
was unanimous aud earnest, that the coun-
try must now arouse itself to renewed ef-
forts, and prepare for such sacrifices in the
defence OF the integrity Of the Union and the
prtsel walton of tie Government, as you
know the source of this dispatch received, |
need not assure you it is perfectly reliable
1t is understood that Mr.. Fessenden's re-
tirement from the Treasury Department,
will take place within a few days. and it is
confidently predicted, | believe truly that
his successor will be from the city of New
York. In the present condition of the fuau
Ges and with the certainty that the war is
now to be carried OH with renewed vigor
and determination on both sides, this be-
comes question Of very great Importance
i The Herntd'S dispatches from Thomas
army say, deserters report that the remnant
of Hoods army are at Tuscumbia, Ala also
that Gen Ripley had relieved Hood in com
nand
The steamer Eclipse, on the way from
PASSPORT to Paducah, burst her boilers and
one hundred and five lives were lost, be-
sides battery of artillery. A number of
soldiers were on board, principally of the 9th
Indiana.
During a discussion in the rebel House, on
arming slaves, Mr.. WigfalI, in reply to
those who said they were not fighting for
slavery, declared he was fighting for slavery
and nothing else.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 5, 1865.
| The President has returned. 1t is conf
IDENTIFY believed by the administration lead
ers that his trip has been to some extent
success and that peace is near at hand.
1t will be well to wait for news from
Richmond before accepting too literally the
assurances of our State Department, that
the late peace negotiations resulted in a
dead lock, at the outset on the demand of
| the rebel commissioners for a SenaratiOn
and recognition. 1t is rumored that the
President is preparing message to Con-
gress Oh the subject, and his being denied