Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-04-10
UNPUBLISHED HISTORY.
The InitiatOry Steps in the Pro-
tracted Labor of Loyalty"
MIR. LincoIn's Basis of Restoring
the Union.
To the Editor Of the New York World:

and all the States but Georgia are permit
ted representation in Congress, which has
not been the case before since the Radi-
cal party assumed control of the Govern
ment. and as the Fifteenth Amendment
is proclaimed as the completion of the
| work that has for so many years troubled
Congress, it may be well to glance at the
initiatory steps in this protracted labor Of
loilty.
| When Richmond was evacuated by the
Confederate forces, President Lincoln was
at City Point. He made haste to visit
the fallen capital, where he was the guest
of Major-General WeitZel, then com
handing the old army of Gen. Butler,
and in occupancy of the city. On the
evening of the day of the Presidents ar
rival, April 4, 1866, he was waited upon
by Hon. John A. Campbell, then Assist
ant Secretary of War for the Confedera-
cy, and one of the Hampton Roads peace
commissioners.
Admiral Porter and General Weitzel
were then with the President but rose at
once to retire The President, however,
detained them, remarking that it might
be better to have witnesses to what might
pass between himself and the Confede-
rate commissioner.
The Judge greeted the President with
the most studied politeness and respect.
The President rose, shook hands cOrdi-
ally with his visitor, inquired after his
health, and then introduced Admiral Por-
ter. After few ordinary common place
remarks, Mr.. Lincoln said:
| General Weitzel informs me that you
have been particularly DESTROYS of seeing
me2n
|, 81 have remained in Richmond" re.
piled the Judge, ''mainly for the purpose
| of eXerting what influence could TO
bring this war to an end. believe that,
| if your views as to the terms upon which
peace can be had were made clear to the
Southern people, an adjustment of all
our difficulties could be effected and the
/ war ended.
| care you authorized to speak for Mr..
Davis or the Southern people?n asked Mr..
Lincoln.
81 have no authority to speak for any
one but myself, and appear here wholly
in my individually character" was the re-
ply.
''Have you any proposition TO make!"
''NOt formally. | have thought of the
difficulties of the present situation great
deal, and have considered several plans
that seemed feasible for affecting a recon
Citation. l think | understand the des-
peration of the Southern cause. lam not
prepared to say that the COnfederacy can
hold out longer, not yet am l willing to
admit that it must now necessarily col
lapse. But l think l may say that, IN
| view of the reverses it has recently met
with, an appeal to the armies, made in
theright spirit and under suspicious circum-
stances, would be most influential for
good. You will remember, Mr.. President,
that at the Hampton Roads conference l
suggested and urged a truce or armistice
for a specified time That suggestion
was not accepted. If you will allow me
would urge it again now. If truce
could now be proclaimed for six months
or year, the armies be Withdrawn and
permitted temporarily to disband and re-
turn to their homes, and the inhabitants of
the two sections of the country allowed to
| visit and communicate with each other,
and interchange sentiments, l believe it
would be virtually the end of the war.
The Southern army, am satisfied, could
never again be assembled. The men are
sick of the war, disheartened with defeats,
worn down with hunger and privations,
and anxious to get out of the army to
better their condition. Once out they
would never return, provided any reason
able inducement were offered them to re-
main out. l am persuaded, sir, that the
| most gratifying Iesults would flow from
, such a truce"
Mr. Lincoln heard the Judge through
without interruption, though listening at
tentively and respectfully to sill he said.
| When he had concluded, the President
simply asked, 'Have you any other
| proposition to make 2"
81 have another SUGGESTION" he re-
> | piled. ''It relates mainly to Virginia and
her quota in the Southern army. 1t has
, occurred to me that, even should my first
suggestion be unacceptable, something
, may yet be done through individual State
i | action. The Virginia troops were enlist
! ed only for the defense of Virginia. They
are not satisfied with being marched out
! of the State; but there is no authority al
o | present that they can recognize to cal
Q them back If the gentlemen composing
q the Virginia Legislature could be assem-
! bled, have no doubt they would prompt,
ly pass an act recalling their quota from
. the Confederate armies This authority
$ the Virginia troops would recognize, and
Q if they were not discharged at once, they
q | would desert and come home. The Legis
q lature would, think, also repeal the ac
of Secession, and put the State back il
e the Union. 1t would be eminently fittin!
n that the same authority that put the State
Q out of the Union should put it back
\ | Such a course would avoid many lega
q | complications that must elsewise ensue
n and retain unbroken the succession of thu
= government l may add, Mr.. President
O that to avoid any embarrassment TIA
q | might arise from the semi-recognition o
A. the existing government of this State
Is implied in the permission to its Legisla
v ture to assemble and carry out tbes
i specific objects, the members might obi
If gate themselves to resign as soon a
n ! these objects are effected, and give plac
"a to new body, to be elected under III
st United States flag.
" care there any other Southern gentle
D men of influence now in the city 2" aske
d the President.
At 81 don't think there are any Of promi
es nence throughout the Confederacy nov
hi here, replied the Judge.
rs 81 would like you to call on me agai
I'd in the morning, " said the President. 81
4 the meantime, if you know of any inffr
10 | entail citizens who will accompany you
o wouldbe glad to meet them also. Whs
s. you have said shall be candidly considere
b, and my answer will be given to-mol
ne | row.
r. And so the interview ended.
m 1t was then announced that the MalveT
an had reached the city, whereupon Il
n President and Admiral Porter repaired
Mt board, the vessel being anchored in Ii
tn stream off the wharf at Rockets.
in On thes morning of the 9th of Apr
if soon after breakfast, ''Judge Campbe
RI and q FRIEND were announced to Il
nv President in the cabin of the Malvern
d They were at once admitted. Jud2
nd Campbell introduced his friend as M
,st Gustavus A. Meyers, a prominent me
air chant, formerly Mayor of Richmond, al
nv at that time a member of the State Legi
NJ lature, who, he remarked, in the limitt
time afforded him, and in consequence
the unsettled state of the city, was Il
only gentleman of sufficient standing l
had been able to find to accompany hin
ties The President shook hands with M
,ut Movers and then invited his visitors
lis seats, offering them chairs near the lor
ms dining table in the cabin, which was al
., taIl., Mr. ipnolD +os