The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-05-02

federate commissioners requested a con-
ference with President Lincoln at WASH
ington, and Major Eckert replied that the
conference could not proceed except un-
der the terms outlined in his instruction.
The confederate commissioners. unWlillnS
to negotiate for peace under prescribed
limitations, declined to proceed with the
conference.
president Lincoln in submitting the
this stage:
~ was about to recall Seward and
Eckert when the following telegram from
General Grant to the secretary OF war
was shown me-.
The telegram read:
81 am convinced upon conversation
with Messrs. Stephens and Hunter that
hsg so se S SeSs aaaa ao haiE
even even views VIE SO of ny my 20 own m or to account for
my reticence. This has placed me in an
awkward position, which 1 would have
avoided by not seeing them In the flrst
without any expression from any one in
authority will have bad influence am
sorry that Mr.. Lincoln cannot have the
interview
"Of this President Lincoln said to con-
gzess:
1.-The dispatch Of General Grant
telegraphed him as follows: Say to the
gentlemen I will meet them personally
at Fortress Monroe as soon as can get
there"
"And he did get there. and at once. and
the whole story of that conference in the
rolling waters of Hampton Roads. within
hailins distance of the scene where IRON
clads first met in battle in the encounter
of the Monitor and the Merrimac. affords
the most interesting recital Of our I'M
written history.
II have heard from Mr Stephens's own
lips how the southern commoner. a dwarf
IT. stature. but a giant in intellect. upon
reaching the cabin of the boat stopped TO
unwind the coverings which protected his
frail body from the bleak sea winds. and
low. after gloves and comforters and
scarfs and greatcoats were removed, he
was net by President Lincoln with the
characteristic greeting: We'll. Stephens.
that's the littleSt nubbln l ever saw from
such a quantity of shucks.
Il have seen the half reSretful pathos
in his wonderful eyes as he told how Lin
coin. animated by his strong love Of
country. had said to the commissioners:
Let me write the >one word. union at
the head of our agreement and you may
supply the rest
The conference was fruitless Of p-acti-
cal results on account Of arbitrary linn ta-
items of power in prescribing the condi-
tions of peace. But Mr. Stephens be-
lieved to the day Of his death that had
the commission been clothed with p.enary
pewer. peace would have been accom-
pished on basis of union. and Of mu-
:ual concessions in other details Of diff
ference.
The peace that General Grant COM
OF
abiding peace.
1T is the peace whose sacred benedic-
ton cast the halo Of its glory across the
continent, when from amid the solemn
forest sentinels of Mt. Gregor, the angel
Of death gently touched the summons Of
the Divine Commander. But 1t did not
come until the music Of reunited ma
tons voice, attuned to the melody OF
sorrow, had fallen upon the eager ears OF
the stricken hero.
Picture him as he sat, wan and haS-
gard, surrounded by silent nature. arrayed
in all the glories Of summer splendor,
waiting. waiting the inevitable. The
winds that had swept the historic battle
fields Of the south were laden with mes
sages of peace and sympathy from those
who but few years before had been en-
emies.
What visions must have come to him
then! There. trooping up from the mists
of the valley came the blue legions which
had followed him across the Potomac;
and here. down the hillsides. like an ava
lanche, swept the grey. There was Sher-
idan and Thomas. and Meade and Nc
C!ellan, and yonder-Lee and jackson,
and Gordon and Longstreet. The peal OF
musketry and the roar of cannon rever-
berate in the valleys and the mountain
brooks become torrents Of blood. The
clash of arms and the fierce fire OF the
conflict shakes the world!
But now the smoke of battle lifts, and
the scene changes! There are green val
leys and happy homes where peace and
contentment reigns. High above all floats
the stars and stripes-the emblem OF
united country-stronger now than ever,
and more deeply rooted in the affections
Of her people.
The peace he would have has come.
and resting as quietly as a babe on its
mothers breast, the listless eyes of hero
in war and a patriot in peace are closed
and his soul takes fight to the great
hereafter to join the united band OF other
heroes of both sides as comrades in ever
lasting glory and eternal companionship.
And when, a few days later, he was
lowered to his last rest by hands which
had been raised against him in war; when
veterans who wore the grey stood in tears
beside t.-ose who wore the blue. it proved,
indeed, that past issues were but ghosts
of dreams and that
"'Brave minds, howeer at war. are secret
friends;
Their generous discord with the battle
ends:
In peace they wonder whence dissension
rose
And ask how souls so like could e'er be
foes
''The peace Of a prosperous people per-
meates the land and lights all sections OF
the nation In its holy glow. Mason and
Dixons line marks no more trace In the
geography of our common country than
does the equator mark the silvery> sur
face of our southern seas.
LET us have peace!' A happy and
contented people repeat the benediction
and cry back to the great heart that
now is still in the peace that passeth all
&C.