The Elbert County tribune., 1902-05-15
WHAT LINCOLN REALLY SAID.
Senator Vest Makes an Important His
toric Statement

in Hampton Roads. In ls04. betweei,
President Lincoln, William IL. Seward.
secretary OF state; Alexander X. Ste
phens, vice president of the Confeder-
ate States, Il. NJ r. Hunter, former
United States senator, and John A.
Campbell. formerly justice Of the Unit
ed States Supreme Court, President
Lincoln wrote upon n piece OF paper.
save the Unlon,' then handing It to
Stephens said. alexander, take this
paper and fill up for yourselves the
conditions OF peace between the two
sections
Mr.. Vest said the story had been de
MED by John II. Reagan of Texas, who
was the last surviving member OF the
Confederate Cabinet.
He knew personally. said Mr.. Vest.
without having been present at that
celebrated interview, that the incident
was without the slightest foundation.
''If true" said he. at would place the
government and officers of the Confed-
eracy in the category OF criminals, be
cause 1t offered the Confederacy all
that 1t ever demanded In the widest
hope of the most extreme partisans of
that cause IL they would only return to
the Union"
A deep silence had fallen upon the
chamber and every senator on the
floor listened to him with rapt atten-
ton. With great dellberateness he con-
tinued:
''If true, it would mean that the con-
fedcrates could have placed on that
sheet of paper the perpetual establish
ment of slavery and the right Of seces-
sion, the most extreme demand that
had ever taken locality even In the
dream OF any conferedate,'
From the lips Of stephens and Hunt
er had come TO him. he said. the details
OF what took place Upon the return
of the commissioners of the Confeder-
acy he heard their official report. as
Mr.. Reagan heard It. the latter being
member of the Cabinet and the speak
er tMr. yesD member Of tie Confed-
crate Senate. II am to-day the only
surviving member of the twenty-six
gentlemen who acted as Confederate
SENATOR'S" he said
Mr.. Vest then stated that what did
happen at Hampton Roads beyond
question was this: "That when the
President and Secretary Seward met
the commissioners Of the Confederacy.
Mr.. Lincoln addressing himself to Mr..
! Hunter. whom he knew WELL said: In
the first place, gentlemen, | desire TO
know what are your powers and in
structions for the Richmond govern
ment.' avoiding" said Mr. Vest. ms
words confederate states"
Mr.. Hunter. to whom the inquiry
was Addressed said: afr President.
we are instructed TO consider no propo-
sition that does not involve the indie
pendence of the Confederate States of
America
''Then." said Mr.. Lincoln, ''the in
| teryiew had as well terminate now,
| for | mnst say TO you. gentlemen,
] frankly and honestly, that nothing will
he accepted from the government at
Richmond except absolute and uncon-
dltional surrender
Mr.. Vest said that this terminated
1 the Interview, and as the Confederate
commissioners retired President Lin
coin, addressing Stephens. who was the
last to go out. said:
stephens, you are making a great
mistake. Your government is fail
ure, and when The crash comes. as 1t
soon must come. there Will he chaos
and disasters which we cannot now
foresee which must come TO your peo-
ple.''
This account of that interview"
continued Mr.. Vest, substantially and
almost word for word as I have given
1t. came to me from Mr.. Stephens and
Mr.. Hunter"
Mr.. Vest said that he considered 1T
his duty TO make this statement in or
der that history may not be falsified,
in order that the men who We're said
to have refused this offer at the hands
of President Lincoln should not be
made to turn In their graves, adding:
For If they had refused what was
said to have been rendered them by
the President they would have been ac-
ccssories to the murder OF every man
who fell from that time In defense of
the Confederate cause and they should
have given the lie to their intentions
which they professed when they risked
everything. everything that is held dear
among men. In defense OF the Confed-
crate cause"
While the deep silence stlll reigned
In the chamber ns he spoke, and with
every eye directed toward him, Mr..
Vest closed as follows:
1T may be but a very short time un-
til | shall join the twenty-five col
leagues l had In the Confederate Sen
ate. and did not want this statement
to 20 into the record of this country
without my statement OF these facts
and my solemn denial that. there is
shadow of truth In this assertion which
has been going the rounds of the news
papers Of the country for the last few
years"
Four American Ships Lost.
Washington. May 10.-T'he following