The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-07-12
ANSWER TO JUDGE REAGAN.
Henry Watterson Contends that Linz
coin Offered to Pay for Slaves.
THE FORTRESS MONROE CONFERENCE,
Might Have Resulted Dimerently ~
confederate Commissioners HAD
Had other Instructions,

Louisville Ky, July 1f.--Mr. Henry wat
terson publishes In the Courier Journal to-
morrow morning an elaborate reply "a
Judge heagan's denial that Mr.. Lincoln
contemplated payment for the slaves under
certain conditions, and that he sald to Mr..
stephens: Let us write 'union' at the
top of this page and you may write te!ow
1t whatever YOU please"
Mr Watterson sutains his position b.
| proiuse documentary evidence. he quotes
| Mr. stephens account Of the Fortress Mon.
roe conference. and produces Joint reso-
luton prepared by MIR. Lincoln to prove
that indemnity for the slaves was contem-
plated. He cites several credible witnesses.
all of whom declare, as Mr.. Wattcrson de-
clared himself that MIR. Stephens cid make
the statement ascribed to him.
AS far as Mr.. Watterson is concerned"
says the Courier Journal, he has made no
statement that admits OF any controversy
whatever. The suggestion which he did
make can not be truthislly denied; that
MIR. Lincoln did not merely contemplate,
but proposed. plan to appropriate $780,
100000 10 pay the southern States FOR the
slaves MS late as February, 1865; that he
DID intimate this to the Confederate COM
missioneIs during the official intar siuw,
and that at least Mr.. stephens knew that,
union and peace being conce1ed, MIR. Linz
ccln was willing that he tStephens) should
write whatever details he pleased, Mr.. Lin
coin feeling that Mr. stephens Was a wise,
just statesman who could he trusted to In
sort nothing unreasonable or ill-advieei."
with the South refusing 10 treat except
upon the recognition of the Independence OF
lT.as.f n.,lt
10 treat except on the basis of union. there
could not well be any progress made at
the Fortress Monroe conference"
In closing MIR. Watterson says.
MIR. Watterson regrets that Judge Rea-
gan has seen fit to reCur TO a question he
thought was settled lie was surprised by
the passage in Judge Reagans Nashville
address, but no concluded not to revive an
issue which. aside from seeming ungracious
10 IA fraternal occasion, can MA in the ma
tnru of The case, be very agreeable as q
rotrospeciion or profitable as a subject of
Present discussion. The insistence OF Judge
Reagan in keeping 1t alive AMI in urging
view which ia contradicted by the best
and amplest testimony. leaves him no other
alternative. He is just free from any
Just accusation OF u purpose TO mIsreport
any Southern aspect of the history OF the
war as Judge Reagan himself. But he has
no personal motive Judge Reagan has.
FOR making any special plea in behalf of
any particular view. 1t lis fact that
within less than sixty days OF its total COL
apse the Confedoracy might have made
and advantageous terms OF peace
IN the basis OF the restoration OF the Union;
mi /, is fact that the commissioners sent
% FORTRESS Monroe were authorized 10 treat
m no other terms than the recognition than
m no other terms than the recognition and
Whether IT was better to let the COL
apse come is another matter. That It was
'oming--wne. in point of fact. Imminent
Nas perfectly well known In official circles
Il Richmond. That within less than sixty
lays 1t actually came Is history. Whether
woe best fer the Confederate president
md authorities 10 take time by the fore
ock and with full knowledge OF the i'm
ending disaster before their eyes, TO seek
ONO other settlement than that Of the i'm
'ossihle recognition Of the independence OF
ho Confoderacy or 10 leave the bottom
lcrally to drop from the tub. the Confed-
rate armies at the mercy OF Grant aud
'hfrman the Confederate capital aband-
ned and the Confederate government in
light, belongs TO q chapter OF speculative
philosophy which we do not care at pres
mt to explore