The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-28
Leadsal North Carolina NewsamdC Circulation

| try that coming late its bloody field of
| battle was consecrated by the covenant
of the republics peace!
1t was singularly significant of the love
of peace inherent in the man, that it's
| first public manifestation appeared when
the fortunes of war had almost crowned
his arms with the laurels of success. The
Hampton Roads conference afforded the
first formal expression of any effort to
harmonic the warning sections. For
four long years the best blood of both
sections had drenched the fair fields of
the South when that conference was call
ed to put an end to further fruitless sac
rifice. The Unfortunate failure in the
purpose of the conference between Presi-
dent Lincoln, of the Federal Government,
and Vice President Alexander stephens,
of the Confederacy, is familiar history
to all; but few know that to General
Grant is due the fact that the actual con-
ference was made possible.
HAMPTON ROADS CONFERENCE.
The official records of the war have
but recently established the important
part played by General Grant in prevent
ing an untimely abandonment of negotia-
tons and in paving the way for the ac-
complishment of an official conference.
Seward had been sent to Fortress Mon
roe early in February, 1865, to meet Ste
phens and Hunter and Compbell, the Con-
federate Commissioners under well-de-
fined limitations from President Lincoln
to confine negatiotions to what he term!-
ed 1.-The three indispensables Major
Thomas T. Eckert had preceded Seward
on the same mission and under similar
restrictions.
At the preliminary conference the Con-
federate commissioners requested a con-
ference with President Lincoln at Wash
ington, and Major Eckert replied that
the conference could not proceed except
under the terms outlined in his instruc-
tions The conference commissioners, un-
willing to negotiate for peace under pre-
scribed limitations, declined to proceed
with the conference.
President Lincoln, in submitting the
correspondence to Congress said that at
this stage:
Il was about to recall Seward and Eek
ert, when the following telegram from
General Grant was shown me"
The telegram read:
II am convinced, upon conversation
with Messrs. Stephens and Hunter, that
their intentions are good and their desire
sincere to restore peace and union. have
not felt myself at liberty to express even
views of my own or to account for my
reticence. This has placed me in an awk-
ward position which / would have avoid
ed by not seeing them in the first instance
| fear now their going back without any
expression from any one in authority
will have a bad influence. l am sorry
that Mr. Lincoln cannot have the inter-
view"
On this President Lincoln said to Con-
gress:
THE dispatch of General Grant chang
ed my purpose, and l telegraphed him as
follows: Say to the gentlemen will
meet them personally at Fortress Monroe
as soon as | can get there.
LINCOLN AND STEPHENS.
And he did get there. and at once, and
the whole story of that conference in the
rolling waters of Hampton Roads, within
hailing 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.
/ have heard from Mr.. Stephens own
lips how the Southern commoner, dwarf
in 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
how, after gloves and comforters and
scarfs and greatcoats were removed, he
was met by President Lincoln with the
characteristic greeting: Well, Stephens,
that's the littlest nubbin ] ever saw from
such quantity of shucks."
/ have seen the half-regretful pathoS in
his wonderful eyes as he told how Lin
coln 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 prac-
teal results on account of arbitrary limi-
tations of power in prescribing the condi-
tions of peace. But Mr.. Stephens believ
ed to the day of his death that had the
commission been clothed with plenary
power, peace would have been accom-
plished on a basis of union, and of mu-
tual concessions in other details of diff
ference.
Perhaps so: perhaps not, Perhaps it
was best that the war should drag its
cruel length along to its tragic culmi-
nation. Perhaps it was best that an is
sue born almost with the republic itself
and that had baptized its devotees in the
blood of brothers, should only find its fit
ting death on the bloody battle field. But
long after the echoes of war have died
away and the efforts of the conference
ere forgotten, the world of peace will do
reverence TO the memory of the great SOL
der who. almost on the eve of final vic
tory. sheathed his dread sword and
stretched out his sword-arm with open
hand to strive for peace! In the midst
of the mad lust of war, leaving for time
the leadership of exultant cohorts drunk
with victory, himself to gain all by pro-
longing the conflict for pronounced con-
quest. his voice, attuned to the roar of
battle, was raised for peace.
THE PEACE OF A NATION.
And so. Mr.. Chairman while the bat
tie SCARED bosoms of our Southern val
leys bear unwilling testimony to the
deeds Of this great soldier as he marched
beneath the flag Of Mars. every hill that
trembled to the thunder of his guns gives
back the welcome echoes of his greeting:
LET us have peace"