The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-26
THE HAMPTON ROADS CONFERENCE.

So inveterate is the determination of
the South to make out that she was
cruelty wronged and abused in every
feature and incident leading TO, during
and after the rebellion, that no conflicting
facts are allowed any standing of
credence.
This was the reason that Senator Vest,
speaking also as Senator of the late So
Henry Watterson's statement that at the
famous Hampton Roads Conference
President Lincoln virtually told the rebel
Commissioners that he would take a
white sheet Of paper and write Union on
it, and they could write after that any
thing they pleased. OF course, this, but
a few weeks before Appomattox, places
Lincoln and the Union army Oh the
highest plane of magnamity, and shows
the rebel authorities TO have been wicked
ly mad to reject such an opportunity to
bring peace to their section, get pay for
their slaves, and favorable terms as to
their political status.
OF course all the irreconcilable papers
in the South supported Vests denial that
such favorable terms or anything like
them were offered. The Nashville
American takes little more judicial
view, and says:
''Tne American would not go out of
its way to knowingly say anything I'M
fair or unjust TO Mr.. Watterson, whom
II holds in great personal esteem. Sen
ator Vests statement of what was said
by NJ. Lincoln to Mr.. Stephens and of
the reply that was made was no new
statement, and it threw no new light on
the subject. He could only repeat hear
say evidence; Mr.. Watterson can only re-
peat hearsay evidence, and in a matter
of this sort we know OF no reason why
Mr.. Watterson should be regarded as
less reliable than Mr.. Vest. Such evil
dence or proof as Mr.. Watterson has sub
mitted may seem conclusive until the
other side is heard; then the element of
doubt enters. Much has been printed on
the subject, and we suppose we have read
most of it. The result is we have no
emphatic or unaiterable opinion on the
subject, though we are inclined to think
In accord with reason and the probable
facts than the version which has long and
generally been accepted as correct"
To this, the Louisville Courier-Jour-
oal answers:
''All that Mr.. Watterson ever aimed at
was the Illustration Of the magnaminity,
the substantiation of the generous charac-
Ter, Of Abraham Lincoln; 40 more and no
less. He cited the facts as they rest on
hearsay; Mr.. Stephenss published state,
ment, accessible to all; Mr.. Stephens S
NOR. personal and particular statements,
given TO friends in the freedom of private
intercourse, and attested by many re.
liable witnesses, including Mr.. Stephens
pastor, DR., Green; Mr.. Stephens's neigh.
Dor, the Hon. Evan T.. Howell; Mr.,
Stephens's close companion concurrent
with the event, MIR. Felix g. De Fon-
tame. He cited AIR. Lincoln's proposed
message 10 Congress Deb. ), 1869, en-.
bracing a Joint Resolution 90 pay $780,,
100000 for the slaves. Mr.. Vest simply
denied any knowledge of these things. II
they were true, Mr.. Stephens had no,
told him. He even got the dates wrong
In view of all this how can the American
say that it is inclined TO think Senator
Vest statement and views more in ac
cord with reason and the probable facts
As matter Of fact, the Conference cam,
to nothing because the Confederate Com
missioners were limited TO treating on tn,
basis OF the recognition of the independ
ence Of the Confedcracy. But there i!
nothing in the story rendered from docu
mentary evidence and authentic persona
testimony by Mr.. Watterson which cal
be justly described by such terms a
probable and more in accord with rea
son. AIR. Lincoln did contemplate pay
ment for the slaves. He did intimate
this at Hampton Roads. He did embed,
it in message which he prepared t
send TO Congress proposing Joint reso
luton appropriatins the 100000 600 70
the purpose. So much is clearly prove,
and admits Of no possible equiyocation, o
doubt"
Mr.. Watterson only cites a portion o
the evidence that he might have done
There is no more doubt of the substantial
truth Of the story than there is of tn
surrender of Appomattox, and Mr.. Yes
might as well try to deny that Lee signe,
articles OF capitulation to Grant, Apri
.. 1865.