The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-05-05
LINCOLN FAVORED PAYING
THE SOUTH FOR ITS SLAVES
But This Was His Personal Opinion and Not Part or
the Official Proceedings of the Conference
at Hampton Roads

To the Editor The annual assertion
that Mr.. Lincoln proposed at this meet
ing to pay for slaves freed, is now going
the rounds of the press. ] give the fol-
lowing item which ! suppose is as near
an official account Of what occurred at
the conference, as any outside of
Records of the Rebellion. Hon w.
A. Graham was president of the Confeder-
ate Senate pro tenn ad interim, and
presided over its sessions during the ao-
sence OF the vice president MIR. stephens
and the president pro tenn Mr.. Hunter
at the conference. Mr.. Graham in MS
letters TO Governor Swain as puoilshed
in the Last Ninety Days of the War. PIP
115 and III. states that FEB D, 1902 ne
learned on good authority they ddncoln
& Coz. said they could only offer that
these States should return to the Union
under the Constitution with
slavery as it Is. but liable to be abolished
by an amendment to the Constitution
That on Wednesday last Congress had
passed a bill by a vote of lis TO "a 10
amend the Constitution so as TO abolish
slavery in the interview LIN
coin recurring TO what he had been Will
ing to do at the outset and from time to
demanded his present ultimatum.
Mr.. Graham afterwards talked with
Judge Campbell one Of the commission
ers. and on February 18th, writes 1t
seems they (the commissioners were un-
der instructions not TO treat except upon
the basis of independence and caused
romantic propositions about an armlstlce
coupled with an alliance to embark IN
a war with France to maintain the Mon
roe Doctrine and expel Maximiillan from
Mexico. Lincoln was courteous and APP
parently anxious for a settlement, but
firm in the announcement that nothing
could be entertained till our difficulties
we're adjusted, and that upon basis OF
a restoration of the Union. That as faf
as he had power as president, amnesty
exemption from confscation, ETC., should
be freely extended; reviewed his an
nouncements in his inaugurals; procla-
nations messages, etc, to show what ne
considered his liberality TO the South
and that he could unsay nothing he had
said as to slavery it must stand on the
legislation of Congress with the proposed
amendments to the Constitution
hut which ten States could still reject
These terms, not being. agreed to, he and
Seward rose to depart, but With mani
Hesitation of disappointment, as inferred
by my informant that propositions were
not submitted on our side. Ihus terml-
mated the conference. This is a report
by one of the commissioners recorded I'M
mediately after the session
Thirty six years Is a long time to retain
accurately information obtained in con-
versation. But as | recall it, Mr.. Ora
ham told me that there was good deal
of general conversation not strictly Of
ficial--n this Lincoln stated he had ia
vored paying for the slaves when freed;
that he did not own much property, but
had always been willing TO be taxed on
what he possessed for this purpose. This
seems TO have been a statement OF his
personal opinion in the past. The official
statement shows he intends to be gov
erned by his party's action in the present
and future.
Mr. Lincoln and Mr.. stephens had been
members OF Congress of the same political
party (Whigs) and had been on quite
friendly terms When the conference
was about dispensing in some way adj
dressing Mr. Hunter, but without giving
offence, Lincoln quoted couplet from a
not very elegant but well known song OF
ante bellum times as follows:
30 Lord ladies don't you mind stephen,
stephen so deceivin the devil wouldn't
believe him.
In his instruction 10 Seward before
Lincoln concluded to go himself, the End
was "No receding by the Executive OF
the United States on the slavery question,
from the position assumed thereon in the
late annual message to Congress and in
preceding documents Records of Rebel
lion. No. 90, p. 500.
The official report of the Confederate
commissioner is on p. 446 of same NUM-
Der. w. A. GRAHAM
Machpelah, y. c., April 80, 1901