Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1897-07-29

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other matter, can say that whatever
injudicious friends may do, Mr.. Davis
does not evade, and IN his book he
gives the facts and shows that he did
insist on carrying on the war.
While it does not appear, l am i'm
pressed that Mr.. Davis believed any
compromise or settinment short of ex-
haustion would be disastrous to a
peaceful restoration.
Whether the evidence of Gen. Lee
and other generals was taken by a
committee appointed in secret session
is o thing known to every living mem
Der of the House.
After the proof was taken, and while
the debate was progressing, a Sunday
interviewed, and DIR. Thomas Menees,
Gen. Atkins and myeelf rode out to the
army. then near Petersburg, to see the
Tennessee soldiers. We expected they
would want US 30 tell tilem what the
outlook was, and as we went it was a
matter of discussion. What shall we
say2 Can we hold out hopes of victory
when we know from Gen. Lee himself
that the war is about to close? So we
all made speeches, saying as little as
possible, certainly avoiding all refer
ence to the termination of the war.
The most interesting portion of this
history Is to found in Stevens's book
on the war of the States, where he
gives in great detail all that took place
between the commissioners and Mr.,
Lincoln and Seward. The meeting
was informal and free discussion, but
not negotiation. Mr.. Lincoln, in his
blunt way, said to them when asked
what could be done, as no terms could
be made Go back and disband and
send on your members to Congress.
Not having the book before me, l
am not giving the words, but the sub
stance, of what Mr.. Stevens says, and
which Is in accord with what Mr.. Stew
ems said after he returned, that Mr..
Lincoln was willing to withdraw the
troops and leave the State government
intact.
Mr.. Lincoln said, in substance, that
he made no demand. butts a restoration,
of the Union, which he maintained
was not to be done by agreement, but
by the Southern States sending their
members back to Congress.
When the question was mentioned
about the freedmen, Mr.. Lincoln said,
in the plainest language: II do not
claim that my proclamation freed the
negroes. The freedom of the negroes
who went into our armies will be in
| sisted on as war measure"
Here Mr.. Seward spoke and said
| "Mr. Stevens, it is proper that We
should tell you that there is now pend
ing in Congress a measure looking to
freeing the negroes. But" said he
looming back into the Union, the
Southern States can defeat the amend
ment.'
| Further discussing the question O.
slavery, Mr.. Lincoln advised that thu
States emancipate the slaves, anc
strongly limited that the North woul(
be averse to paying for the slaves, ant
went on to ssy what price many of the
leading men were willing to pay.
After the return of the commission
ers, Mr.. Stevens gave me most inter
esting account of a day they spen
with Gen. Grant, as they were detain
ed a whole day at his headquarter
while he corresponded with Mr.. Lin
coin, arranging for the meeting.
He said, what then surprised m
greatly, was that Gen. Grant was on
of the finest conversationalists he ha'
lever seen. He also said that evidentl
Gen. Grant was pleased with thei
mission, surmising, without being told
the purpose, and that he as well a
Mr.. Lincoln, was anxious to end tn
war, and that Gen. Grant evidentl
hoped the meeting would end in sci
tlement.
This must be put down to the cred
of Gen. Grant, as he well knew grea
J glory would soon come to him by
| final victory and surrender.