Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-04-28


ar armored giant. with one hand on the
throat If Paris and >he other pointing to
the hungry document demanding the
most prodigious indemnity exultant Vic-
tor ever eXacted of PROSTATE victim.
Not so at AppomattoX! Instead OF eX-
actior:-liberality. Instead of Siberia
again the TRANQUIL fields of home: again
the music of familiar waters; again the
chirp of the cricket on the hearthstone
and the melody of childrens' prattle
around the mothers knee! Instead of st.
lena-Washingtoni Not Washington as
the stronghold of armed foe. but as
the common capital of a reunited coun-
try where victor and vanquiShed met on
equal terms Of fellowship Washington,
the capital from which. a few years
later. a federal major. as president Of the
United States. wrote one day the order
making brigadier generals of the nephew
Of Robert E. Lee and the son OF Ulysses
S. Grant!
"inevita BILE Appomattox! Better that it
had come sooner, since it had to come;
but better for the greatness of our coun-
try that coming late its bloody field of
battle was ConSecratCd by the Covenant
of the republics peace!
1T was singularly significant OF the love
of peace inherent in the man that its
first public manifestation appeared when
the fortunes of war had almost crowned
i
Hampton Roads conference afforded the
first formal expression of any effort to
harmonize 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 called TO put
an end to further fruitless sacrifice. The
unfortunate failure in the purpose of the
conference between President Lincoln, OF
the federal government, and Vice Presi-
4 lnN n1a~ farAha f.N nfah
eracy, is familiar history to all; but few
know that to General Grant is due the
fact that the actual conference was made
possible.
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-
tions and in paying the way for the &C
complishment of an official conference.
Seward had been sent to Fortress Monroe
early in February, 1865 to meet Stephens
and Hunter and Campbell, the cOnfed-
crate commissioners, under well-defined
limitations from President Lincoln to con-
fine negotiations to what he termed the
three indispensa bles.' Major Thomas T.
Eckert had preceded Seward on the same
mission and under similar restrictions
AT the preliminary conference the con-
federate commissioners requested 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, unwilling
to negotiate for peace under prescribed
limitations, declined to proceed with the
conference.
President Lincoln in submitting the
correspondence to congress said that at
this stage:
4" 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
g L 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 rettcenee. This has placed me in an
awkward position, which 1 would have
instance. I fear now their going back
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-
ress:
" The dispatch Of General Grant
changed my purpose. and accordingly
telegraphed him as follows: Say to the
gentlemen 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
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 un-
written history
II have heard from Mr.. Stephens's own
lips how the southern comnoner. dwarf
IL stature. but a giant In intellect. upon
reaching the cabin of the boat stopped to
unwind the coverings which protected his
frall body Trom the bleak sea winds and
how. after gloves and comforters and
Gcarfs and greatcoats were removed he
was met by President Lincoln with the
characteristic greeting: We'll, Stephens
that's the littlsst nubbin l ever saw from
such quantity Of shucks.'
81 have seen the half regretful pathos
III 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 fruitlSSs of practi-
cal results on account of arbitrary limita-
ttons 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 plenary
power. peace would have been accom-
pliShed on q basis OF union. and of mu-
tUal concessions in other details of diff
ference.
Perhaps 30: perhaps not! Perhaps it
was best that the war should drag Its
cfCel length alonA to its tragic culmina-
tion. Perhaps it was best that an issue
born almost with the republic itself, and
that had baptized its devotees in the blood
OF brothers. should only find it's fitting
death on the bloody battle field. But long
after the echoes of war have died away
ard the efforts of the conference are for
gotten. the world of peace will do rever-
enoe to the memory OF the great soldier
who. almost on the eve of final victory
sheathed his dread sword and stretched
out his Sword-arm with open hand to
strive fer peacei In the midst OF the mad
lust of war. leaving for time the leader
ship of exultant cohorts drunk with VIC
tory. himself to gain all by prolonsinG
the conflict for pronounced conquest, his
voice. attuned to the roar of battle, was
raised for peace.
And SO, Mr.. Chairman while the bet
t'e-scarTed bosoms of our southern val
leys bear unwilling testimony to the deeds
OF this great soldier as he marched be-
meath tho flag of Mars. every hill that
treTnbled to the thunder of his guna gives
back the welcome echoes Of his greeting:
Let us have peace
THE hearts of her people have caught
and held the inspiration of the clarion
call of fellowship and union. which,
growing in strength and volume as the
years go by. is now the grand pean OF a
nations peace.
When the recent call to arms brought
volunteers to offer their lives in the COM
mon cause of the union against Spain,
the patriotism of our people found quick
expression in the response they made to
the dr-umbeat of the republic. and the
sons of federals and confederates alike
poured out their hearts blood in the COM
mon cause. None questioned the loyalty
and patriotism of his comrade in arms.
and northern boys and southern boys