The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-13

President Lincoln Did Agree to Pay for the
south's slaves.

LOUISVILLE ky, July l2.-Mr. Henry
vatterson to-day publishes in the Cour-
Ar-Journal an elaborate reply TO Judge
Reaean's denial that Mr.. Lincoln con-
tempIated payment for the slaves under
certain conditions and that he said 10
Mr.. stephens. Let me write union at the
TOP of this page and you may write below
il whatever you please
Mr.. Wattorson sustains his position by
profuse documentary evidence. He
quotes Mr.. stephens account of the Fort
Monroe conference. and produces a joint
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.
stephens did make the statement ascrib-
cd TO him.
"Ag far as Mr.. Watterson is concern
cd" 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 ap-
propriate $500. .0eo 10 pay the Southern
States FOR the slaves as late as February,
1868. that he did not intimate this 10 the
Confederate commissioners at Fort Mon
roe during the official interview, and that
at least Mr. Stephens knew that union
and peace being conceded, Mr.. Lincoln
was walling that he iStephens) should fill
i'm pretty rnuch whatever details he pleas
ed. Mr. Lincoln feeling that Mr.. stephens
was a wise. just statesman, who could
be trusted 10 insert nothing unreasonable
or ill-advised.
with the South refusing to treat ex
cent upon the recognition of the indep-
ondencs Of the Confederacy and Mr.. Lin
coin refusing to treat except on the basis
Of union. there could not well be any
progress made at the Fort Monroe con-
ference.
in closing Mr.. Wattcrson says:
"Air Watterson regrets that Judge
Reagan has seen fit 10 recur 10 cues
ton he thought was settled. He was SUB
prised by the passage. in Judge Reagan 5
Nashville address: but he concluded not
to revive an issue whicH aside from
seeming ungracious 10 a fraternal occa-
sion. cannot In the nature of the case
ho very agreeable as a retrospection or
profitable as a Subject Of present discus
sion. The insistance OF Judge Reagan in
keeping IL alive and in urging a View
which is contradcted by the best and
amplest testimony, leaves him no other
alternative lie Is just as free from any
Just accusation OF a purpose TO misre-
port any Southern aspect Of the history
OF thew ar as Jlitge Reagan Is himself.
But he has no it f5onal motive, as Judge
Reagan has for making any special plea
I'm behalf Of any particular view. 10 is
fact that within less than sixty days Of
its totSl collapse the COnfederacy might
have made honorable and advantageous
terms Of peace on the basis Of the restora-
ton Of the Union. and il is fact that
the com nisslOners sent TO Fort Monroe
were authorized TO treat on no other
terms than the recognition of the inde-
pondence Of The Confederacy.
Whether 70 was better to let the col
LAPSE come is another matter. That II
was coming-was. in point OF fact, immi-
nent-was perfectly well known I'm official
circles at Richmond that within less
than sixty days it actually came IS his
tory. Whether II was better for the Con-
federate President and authorities TO take
time by the forelOck. and, with full
knowledge of the impending disaster be-
fore their eyes 10 seek some other set
tlement than that Of the impossible rec
ognition Of tho independence Of the Con-
feGeracy. or % leave the bottom literally
10 drop from the tub. the Confederate
armies at the mercy Of Grant and Sher-
man. the Confederate capital abandoned.
and the Confederate government in fight.
belongs TO a chapter Of speculative philos-
ophy. and which We do not care at pres
ent 10 explore.