Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-16
prs,tdent Abraham Lincoln and Conn
psnsation for slaves.

ToAe Editor Of he Dispatch:
The subiect mentioned in the heading of
tbIs article mas been lately under discus
,lon IN the DISPATCH. feel assured that
your influential ana widely-knoWn paper
will be- disposed 10 give 10 the public all
the light which authentic history has fur
nlshed bearing on tins question. There
fore venture g. give some brlef extracts
from the Students History of the
United States. published IL 1872, and for
winch the merit humbly claimed IL that II
., founded on the best and most reliable
evidence III all It's statements of fact.
Alter giving the circumstances under
winch President Abraham Lincoln pro-
rosed 10 issue his proclamatlons of July,
i,52. and January, 1868, concerning slavery,
Inc narrative proceeds as follows (pages
e.l-S2sI:
But some time prior to this event the
strange, rough wisdom, foresight, and Just
intentions Of this remarkable man had
shown themselves in his policy as 10
slavery. SO far as We can Judge, II his
policy could have been carried out, the
tate OF the whole country, including the
south. would have been brighter and hap
DIR than II has been.
A. early as March &. 1862, he addressed
message TO the Federal Congress advising
the adoption OF JOINT resolution, as
.ilows;
" Eso.rei. That the United States in or
der 10 cooperate with any State which
NAV adopt gradual abolition OF slavery.
give e. such State peouniery aid. 10 be
used rs such State IN Its discretion, TO
compensate tor the inconvenience, public
and private. produced by such change OF
system
He did not expect the extreme southern
States 10 be at once influenced by this
1,er,ure, but he hoped that the border
SNtcs would be, aud that by adopting
system OF gradual emancipation they
would deprive the cotton and sugar States
Of oil hope Of final separation from the
mon. In the same message he said In
ny Judgment gradual and not sudden
emancipation is better Tor all.
The Congress adopted, IN substance, his
Proposed lOiut resolution by large malorl-
IT, IA both houses. He manifested ms
caution and moderation by issuing pro-
,.amaton, dated May 10. 1862, signed 1y
himself aud countersigned by William IL;
N.Rard. Secretary OF State, annulling and
declaring void an arrogant aud unauthor-
Izei order (under the style Of General Or
der No. II. NAV Q. 1862, sent out from Hill
tn Head. =. C., by Major-General DAVID
Hunter. Of the Federal Southern Military
department, whereby that vain and malg-
Liant officer declared all the slaves IN
GtJrgA. Florida. and South Carolina 10
De- forever free.
President Lincoln requested the men,
bers ~ Congress from Kentucky, Mary
!.ud. Missouri, and West Virginia loelng
a.l the border region holding slaves still
iepfesented IN Congress- TO confer with
Liin. and earnestly urged on Them his
poAcv Of gradual emancipation, WIN
money cOmpensatiOn, as wise, ana as the
best means Of putting Cd end TO the war
Gud restoring the Union, but they respect
fully submitted 10 him long communi-
cation, declining 10 concur with hlm,
urging the immense money value OF inc
Slaves aud saving TO the President &,
"COLtue yourself 10 your constituuonsi
authority; cODhne your suoordlhstes
within the same limits conduct TINS war
lolely Tor the purpose OF restoring the
constitution 10 its legitimate authority;
Oncede 10 each State and its loyal clti,
ems Their lust rights, and we are welded
oyOu Oy iudlssoluble ties"
Thus even the congressman who ad-
Lered 70 the Federal side failed 10 gee the
Inevitable tendency OF the war, II pro-
forged, TO destroy slavery. aud failed 70
Lead u the wise measures suggested by
FIesident hncoln. lie wss left to his own
convictions OF duty.
And a. 10 what passed al the Hamp-
tOn-kOads conference respectfully sug-
gest that the extract in the DIsrkTCu OF
July "a does net give all OF A. Ii. Ste,
phenss statements. Ihe substance of all
eppears on page s37 Of the students
mted States" as follows; Both Presi-
Gent Lincoln aud Secretary Seward ex-
pressed q willingness 10 use oil their exc
eutye power and influence and ell their
persuasive power over the Federal Con.
Pross 10 effect closing of the war on the
terms that the seeded States should re-
turn 10 tho Union and that the slaves
should be freed and paid for out of the
public Treasury, at least to the amount Of
goo 900 900. which sum was considered AS
about the extra expense needed 20 force q
termination by srma But no terms were
Agreed on"
Is certainly true that President Lin
CON never suggested such 40 absurdity ~
mat be should "pufchass the slaves"
osl be did all he could to secure money