Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1865-04-11


psoss CssSersaess = nsshn'es'
s,..,., p,-..sA sssAs cAsssss Times.
nscruop,, Va. April 7-svsatns.
-, IL p,sasure In saying that there u
-. "A ~ citv-psacs and reconstruction
~ az Domislon u, ] - ssniidsne con.
~ back into the Union ct no very distant
Az. Nesuuses looking 10 such : consum-
nation srs already in progress. Let meos
enil them briefly:
o. Tkursday, the Day The pres'den: was
Ara hsro, several cieisens. among 'ne"
Judee Csupbell, late Hampton Rosd, psacs
commissioner, on the part Q! zen. I'VE
asked : private interview with M. Lncc''.
Il n corrse was granted, there being but
one or too persons present on our s'ae oe
sides the president. Judge Campbell was
.nokesmsn Of the party, and asked Mr. LIN,
coln that we're the best terms he wouia
erant the people Of the State. Cons.d a.s
Conversation followed, At the end Of whicn
NJ. Lincoln gave them slip Of paper, ~,
-h;ch n. had written that the emanc'pat'o"
...~I. m.t;on must remain intact; that con
rrsss;onal action upon the slavery question
MIMI stand until repealed BY congress but
sh.s r. ether respects he would treat the
people vers literally. ! hear thatsomesinng
vas also said about allowing the members
of The state Legislature to return ana reas-
semble. but the temper Of the union people
renssaily L. very hostile 10 Gov. smith ana
most Of The legislature, and ] ain informed
bv MANY persons that these parties will not
be allowed to return. except 1t the express
request Of the president.
Mr.. Lincoln got up here again on We'd
nesdsy evening, and on Thursday had an
other intercourse with much larger delega
ton Of citizens upon the same subject IS the
previous one At this, learn, the citizens
preached the idea Of fixing upon some neu-
trail point in the state At which the legisla-
turs might assemble and deliberate, and the
future idea Of trying to induce Gen. Lee to
lead OF in the movement for peace. The
president heard them ct length, but ted
them hc did not propose to advocate any
particular plan reaching tho end they had
in view. lIe also advised them to hold =
council among themselves and agree upon
some method Of action, and replied that he
would deal literally with all who heartily
repcnted their course and desired in good
faith 70 return to the Union.
think, from some comment hear, that
no has, ct some time in these conferences,
made revelation TO those who have been
leaders in the rebellion. lie certainly has
said that he wishes the new movement to DC
for tho people. Acting on his suggestion,
On informal conference was held last eve
ming between about twelve gentlemen OF the
city, in one Of the upper apartments OF the
Spottswood Hotel, at which some discussion
was held on the Presidents views, but no
action taken.
Another informal meeting was held this
morning Of those members Of the State Leg
islaturc remaining there. They number
about eight or ten, as near ms can learn ;
and the Union people quite generally claim
that, under existing circumstances, they
are the Legislature Of the State, and, AZ
such, have full authority to call the conven-
ton authorized early in the winter to as
scmblc to readjust the basis Of representa-
ton, and they further claim that this con-
vention would have power to annul the &C.
cession ordinance.
The informal conference resulted in for.
NAL meeting, which was held at four o'clock
at the Why office. II was strictly private
in its character, and therefore can give you
but tho brefest outline Of what was done.
There were present Judge Campbell, all the
members Of the Legislature, the Mayor Of
the city, three or four members Of the City
Council. and about twenty leading citizens
AMI have tecn Ablc TO learn about thu
chairman is, that it was neither Jndg'
Campbell nor any other officer, but one y
the richest and most influential citizens
Tho meeting continued two hours, and was
marked by great solcmnty and earnestness.
I believe no final action was taken. These
gentlemen will meet again tomorrow.
The idea of making some interior town q
neutral spot, At which to convene the Legis-
lature. found considerable favor, and it is
wished that two gentlemen would undertake
. visit to Gen Lee, with view to learn his
sentiments. Some Of the gentlemen called
on Gen. Weitzel after the close Of the meet
ing.
That all these conferences have not ye,
resulted in nything definite, is just ~ Ger
tain Is that they will so result in = short
time. There is no installing the sentiments
Of the people, There are good many
genuine Unionists, but there are good
many more who are heartily tired Of the re-
bellion, and will welcome any change which
will bring them quiet and security in their
personal rights. Tho conascation law is a
terror to many; but the sentiment of many
officers Of the army, freely expressed, is,
that this measure will be repealed.
Ricnnosp, Va, April evening.
have time tonight for but brief mention
Of other matters. The amicablc relations
between the people and the soldiers contin
ue undisturbed, and venture to say tina
there will be an immense attendance to-mor
row ct Gen. Wcitzel's review Of Gen. De
wins division.
Provisions arc very scarce, but prices are
mot extraordinarily high.
Large numbers Of the better class Of
whites, as well ~ hordes ofpoor whites and
negroes, are almost wholly dependent upon
the charity Of Uncle Sam.
Gen. Shepley has appointed mixed boards
Of officers and citizens to attend to the mat
ter Of giving out supplies, and the vicinity
Of their Offices ID daily thronred with pco-
pie, apparently so utterly wretched that the
sight Of them almost brings tears to one s
eyes and makes him long to heartily curse
the leaders Of the rebellion l have seen
scores Of instances where our soldiers were
dividing their rations with these poor peo-
pie.
While must again caution yon about be-
lieving in unionism Of the city I believe
car safely say that four-fifths Of the per.
sons-white persons, l mcan-ln it would
vote against re- occupation by the rebels.
Work is going on upon the Petersburg
railroad, and We shall soon have the cars
running 70 that city. A strong force of Ia
6oeers Is soon 70 be put at work upon tee
fredericksburg and Acquia Greek railroad
The President went back TO City Point YES.
tesday.
Among the recent arrivals are Mrs. Lin.
cola, Mrs Grant, Vice President johnson
Senator Sumner and others.
Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Gen. Grant visit.
Cd Libby prison yesterday, in which arc
ROW confined about 1000 rebel prisoners
and desertcrs. The place is yet very filthy
Though, for the last two days, We have had
my negroes cleaning it.
a great jubilee meeting was held las,
night 10 the famous African church. a,
which one Of your northern preachers mad,
ssPssch, and the negroes INDUCED in songs
end prayers to . late hour.
The recruiting NEGRO troops opens well