The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-12
TO PAY FOR THE SLAVES
WATTERSoN SAYS LINCOLN PRO
POSED TO GIVE s4O0.OOO,OGO
In Reply to Judge Regnn's Nashville
Speech the Editor Reiterates
His Former Assertions.

LOUISVILLE. July u.-Mr Henry Wat
terson publishes in the Courier-Journal to-
morrow morning an elaborate reply to
Judge Reagan's denial that Nh Lincoln
contemplated payment for the slaves under
certain conditions and that he said to Mr.
Stephens: Let me write Union at the top
OF this page and you may write below it
whatever you please" Mr.. Watterson sus-
tains his position by profuse documentary
evidence. He quotes Mr.. stephens &C
count of the Fortress Monroe conference
and produces a joint resolution prepared by
Mr. Lincoln to prove that indemnity for
the slaves was contemplated. He cites sew
eral credible witnesses, all of whom de-
clare. as Mr.. Watterson declares himself,
that Mr. Stephens did make the statement
ascribed to him.
''As far as MIR. Watterson is concerned.
says the Courier-Journal, he has made no
statement that admits Of any controversy
whatever. The suggestion which he did
make cannot be truthfully denied that Mr..
Lincoln did not merely contemplate, but
proposed plan TO appropriate $IQ0 O00, 900 to
pay the Southern States for the slaves a
late as February, 1865; that he did intimate
this to the Confederate commissioners at
Fortress Monroe during the interval and
that at least Mr.. Stephens knew that
union and peace being conceded MIR. Lin
coin was willing that no (Stcphens) should
MI in pretty much whatever details he
pleased, Mr.. Lincoln feeling that Mr.. Ste
phens was wise just statesman. who
could be trusted to insert nothing unrea-
fusing to treat except on the recognition OF
the independence or the Confederacy and
MIR. Lincoln refusing to treat except on the
basis of Union, there could not Well be any
progress made ut the Fortress Monroe con-
ference"
In closing Mr.. Watterson says: Mr.. Wat
rs h9f 1 CQrp l[aq ga M
tit to recur to a question he thought was
settled. de was surprised by the passage
IN Judge Reagan's address, but he con-
Guided not to revive an issue which, aside
from seeming ungracious to q fraternal oc-
CASTOR, cannot. in the nature of the case
be very agreeable as a retrospective. or
profitable as a subject of present discus
sion The insistence Of Judge Reagan IN
keeping it alive and in urging view which
is contradicted by the best and ampiest tes-
tlmony leaves. MIN no other alternative
He is just as free from any just accusation
Of a purpose to nisreport any southern as
pect of the history OF the war as Judge
Reagan is himself But he has no personal
motive, as Judge Reagan has. for making
any special plea in behalf OF any particular
view. 1t is q fact that within less than
sixty days Of its total collapse the Con-
federacy might have made honorable and
advantageous terms of peace on the basis
of the restoration of the Union, and IL is
a fact that the commissioners sent to Fort
reSS Monroe were authorized to treat on no
other terms than the recognition of the in
uSpeluence VI tnS OOnAeueIdCy'.
Whether it was the best to let the collapse
come is another matter That it was COM
Ing was in point of fact imminent was per-
fectly well known in official circles at Rich
mond. That within less than sixty days it
actually came is history. Whether 1t was
best for the Confederate President and au-
thorities to take time by the forelock, and,
with a full knowledge OF the impending dis
aster before their eyes, to seek some other
settlement than that OF the impossible rec
ognition of the independence of the Confed-
bottom [
drop from the tub the Confederate armies
at the mercy of Grant and sherman the
Confederate capital abandon d and the Con-
federate government in flight, belongs to a
chapter of speculative philosophy, and
which we do not care at present to ex
DIOre"