The morning news., 1897-07-12
PAY FOR DIxIE's SLAVES.
Editor WattersOn Insists That Lin
coin Proposed the Plan.

Louisville, KY, July 11.-Henry Waiter
son will publish in the Courier-Journal to-
morrow an elaborate reply to Judge Rea-
gan's denial that Mr.. Lincoln contemplate
ed payment for the slaves under certain
conditions, and that he said to Mr.. Ste
phens: Let me write union at the top
of this page, and you may write below it
whatever you please"
Mr.. Watterson sustains his position by
profuse documentary evidence. He quotes
Mr.. Stephens account of the Fortress
Monroe conference, and produces a tont
resolution prepared by Mr. Lincoln to
prove that indemnity for the slaves was
contemplated. He cites several credible
witnesses, all Of whom declare, as Mr.
Watterson declares himself, that Mr. Ste
phens did not make the statement ascrib-
ed to him.
AS far as Mr.. Watterson is concerned"
says the Courier-Journal, "he has made
no statement that admits of any controver-
sy whatever. The suggestion, which he
did make, cannot be truthfully denied; that
Mr. Lincoln did not merely contemplate.
but proposed plan to appropriate $400-
100000 to pay the southern states for the
slaves as late as February. 1866; that he
did not intimate this to the confederate
commissioners at Fortress Monroe during
the official interviews; and that at least
Mr.. stephens knew that union and peace
being conceded, Mr.. Lincoln was willing
that he (Air. Stephens) should fill in pretty
much whatever details he pleased, Mr.
Lincoln feeling that Mr.. Stephens was a
wise, just statesman, who could be trust
ed to insert nothing unreasonable or ill
advised.
with the south refusing to treat ex-
cept upon the recognition of the lnde-
pendence or the confederacy and Mr.. Lin
coin refusing to treat, except on the basis
OF union, there could not we'll be any prog
ress made at the Fortress Monroe confer
ence."
In closing, Mr.. Watterson saws: "Mr.
Watterson regrets that Judge Reagan has
seen mt to recur to question he thought
was settled. He was surprised by the
passage in Judge Reagan's Nashville ad-
dress; but he concluded not to revive an
issue which, aside from seeming ungra-
cious to fraternal occasion, cannot in
the nature of the case be very agreeable
as retrospection, or profitable
as subject of discussion.
The insistence of Judge Reagan
in keeping 1t alive, and in urging a view
which is contradicted by the best and
amplest testimony, leaves him no other
alternative. He is just as free from anv
just accusation of a purpose to mlsrepre-
sent or misreport any southern aspect of
the history of the war as Judge Reagan is
himself. But he has no personal motive.
as @Hldge Reagan has, for making any
special plea in behalf of any particular
view. 1t. is fact that within less than
sixty days of its total collapse the confed-
eracy might have made honorable and
advantageous terms of peace on the ba-
sis of the restoration of the union, and It
is fact that the commissioners sent to
Fortress Monroe were authorized to treat
on no other terms than the recognition of
the independence of the confederacy.
Whether 1t was better to let the COL
lapse come is another matter. That Il was
coming was, in point of fact imminent,
was perfectly well known in official circles
at Richmond. That within less than sixty
days 1t actually came as history Wheth-
er 1t was best for the confederate presi-
dent and authorities to take time by the
forelock, and with full knowledge OF the
impending disaster before their eyes, TO
seek some other settlement than that of
the impossible recognition Of the independ-
ence of the confederacy, or to leave the
bottom literally to drop from the tub, the
confederate armies at the mercy of Grant
and Sherman, the confederate capital
abandoned and the confederate govern
ment in flight, belongs to a chapter Of
speculative philosophy which we do not
care at present to explore"