Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-25

no answers. .an,s.a
MI Seward referred to the proposes
constitutional amendment prohibltins
slavery in the United states. ana lei.
tho inference that II the Conieuera'o
states were TO abandon the war me-
could OF themselves defeat this afne"u
,,ant nv voting IL down as members Vi
the Union. 81 inquired" says MI. SIC
nbeng how this matter could DE "u
,rsted without some understanding as
10 what position the Confederate 9'a'.s
wo,fd occupy towards the others !,
,bev were then to abandon the WEI
.'Vould they be admitted TO represent"
ton in Congress"
Mr.. Lincoln very promptly repneu ,na.
his own individual opinion was that ,hey
ought TO be. He also thought tnat tney
would be. but he could not enter INTO any
stiulation upon that subject
upon my urging the Importance VI
some understanding on this point even
I'm case the Confederate states shou.u
entertain the proposition OF return 10
,ho Irnion. he persisted in asserting that
he could not enter into am agreement
mon this subject. or upon any other
matters Of that sort. with parties In arms
against the government"
After a good deal more conversation
on such points. Mr.. Hunter went INTO
sort OF recapituiation Of the supJecls
| talked over in the interview anu tne
conclusions which seemed to be Logically
deducible from them which amounted 10
nothing as q basis OF peace, In ms Juas-
rnent but an unconditional sIrrehuei
ON the part Of the Confederate states
and their people. There could be no
agreement. no treaty, nor even any stpu-
la,ions as to terms-nothing but uncon-
ditional submission.
Mr.. Seward promptly replied that no
words ike unconditional submission had
been used. etc.
Mr. Hunter repeated his view OF the
subject. "What else could b made out
~ it?" No treaty. no stipulation no
agreement, either with the Confederate
states Jointly. or with them separately
as 70 their future position or security.
what was this but unconditional submis-
sion TO the mercy of the conqueroraE
MT. Seward said: THE southern people
and the Southern States would be under
the Constitution Of the United stat $
with all their rights secured thereby IN
the same way and through the same in
strumentalities as the similar rights Oh
the neople Of the other states were.
Mr. Hunter said: But you make no
agreement that these rights will be so
held and secured
Vow from this account T. will be seen
that while Mr. Seward asserted that
the southern people would nave the
same rights in the Union as the north-
I'm people. he and Mr.. Lincoln were
unwilling TO enter into an agreement
that the southern people should nave
such rights under the Constitution.
They would make no stipulation about
anything.
But Mr.. Lincoln went on and said
that so far as the confscation acts ana
other penal acts were concerned. their
enforcement was left entirely with him.
and on his assurance perfect reliance
might be placed. I'VE should exercise
the power Of the executive with the
utmost liberality.'
That is. he said in effect, submit 10
me- and / will be merciful!
But that was a matter personal with
himself: suppose he should die. lie
would make no stipulation TO bind IN
honor his successor. and now, having
made IL clear that Mr.. Lincoln would
agree 70 no stipulation OF any KIND what
scever. we are face TO face with what
ne had to say about paying for the ne
groes. Here il IS:
Mr. Lincoln then event on to say that
he would be willing 10 be taxed to re-
munerate the southern people Tor thelr
slaves. He believed the people OF tho
North were as responsible for slavery as
the psople Of the South and II the war
should then cease, with the voluntary
abol,.ion Of slavery by the States, he
should be In favor, Individually, Of the
Government paying a fair indemnity for
tho loss 10 the owners. He said he be-
lieved that this feeling had an extensive
existence at the North. He knew some
who were in favor Of an appropriation as
high as s4COG00OO for this purpose.
could mention persons. said he, whose
names would astonish you. who are Will
ing 10 do this. if the war should now
cease without further eXpenst nd with
the abolition Of slavery as stated. But
on this subject he could give no as
surance-enter into no stipulation lie
barely expressed his own feelings ana
views and what he believed 10 De the
views of others upon the subject.
Mr.. Stephens said that the northern
people were weary Of the war. They
| desired peace and a restoration OF har-
mony. and he believed would be willing
| TO pay as an indemnity for the saves
| what would be required TO continue the
| war. but stated no amount
/ This is all that Mr.. Stevens gives on
! these points
Now II will be seen that no offer was
/ made about paying for the negroes,
which. If accepted by the South. would
have been a bargain. No promise was
made that if the South should cease
| hostilities the negroes should be palu
for. II only amounted to this: Il and
some others are willing TO pay you Tor
the regroes-but we can make no prom
lse about it,
And again. how completely does not
this narration of Vice-President stephens
| refute the wild statement that Lincoln
told Stephens: Let me write Union re-
stored" and you can write any stipuia-
tions or agreements TO so along win IL
that you may please.
The interview amounted to nothing
because. first. last, and all the time after
Fort Fisher fell. Lincoln would agree
TO no promise or stipulation OF any KIND
20 do or refrain from doing anything on