The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-02-23

settlement of existing difficulties was
question Of supreme importance and the
only basis on which he would entertain
. proposition for a settlement was the
RECOGNITION and re-esta blishment OF the
national authority throughout the lana.
As the commissioners had no authority
to give any such pledge. the conference
seemed to beat an end.
According to an understanding between
| the commissioners before entering into
the conference. that " they failed in Sc
curing an armistice. they would then en-
deavor to ascertain upon what terms
the administration at Washington would
be willing to end the war. Judge Camp
bell inquired in what way the settlement
be made. He wished to know something
Of the details. Mr.. Seward then said
ne desired that any answer to Judge
Campbelfs inquiry might be postponed
| until the general ideas advanced by Mr..
| stephens might be more fully developed.
| There was a general acqquiescence to
this suggestion and Mr.. Stephens pro-
ceeded to elaborate his views more fully.
-. The Terms Discussed.
That the Monroe Doctrine assumed the
position that no European power should
| Impose governments upon any peoples on
this continent against their will; that the
| principle Of the sovereign right of local
self-government was peculiarly sacred to
the people Of the United States. as well
az to the people of the Confederate
at that time attempting to violate this
great principle In Mexico: that the sus-
pension of hostifities and allowance of
time for the blood of our people on both
sides to cool towards each other would
probably lead the public mind to a nearer
understanding Of those principles which
ought to constitute the basis of the set
Element OF existing difficulties: that the
settlement of the Mexican question in
| this wav would necessarily lead to a i
peaceful settlement Of our own; that
whenever It should be determined that
this right Of local self-government is the
principle on which all American institu-
lions rest, all the States might reason
ABLY be expected to return to the Union
Just as they came together as first by
their own consent and for their mutual
interests: that we might become indeed
and in truth an oceanpound Federal Re-
public. under the operation of this con-
tinental regulator. the ultimate. absolute
sovereignty of each State. He concluded
by saying that this Mexican question
might AFFORD very opportune occasion
Tor reaching proper solution Of our own
fraternal blood Mr.. Seward. while adj
uniting that the views presented by Mr.
stephens had something speclous about
them In theory. argued at considerable
tenn OF government founded upon them
could be successfully worked and that
the Union could never be restored or
maintained on that basis. He then in
or the plan he had in view for effect
Ing the proposed purpose. Mr.. Stephens
replied that he had no fixed plan. but
there were several which might be sug-
| gested. The whole matter might be cas-
| ny arranged by a military convention
known only to the authorities at Wash
| ington and Richmond. This convention
could be made to embrace not only
suspension of actual hostilities on all
the frontier lines, but also other matters
| involving the execution of the laws In
states having two sets of authorities.
one recognized by the Confederate States
and the other adhering to the National
| government. All these matters of detail
| might be easily adjusted II they should
that purpose Mr.. Hunter said that there
was not unanimity in the South upon
the subject Of undertaking the mainten-
ance OF the Monroe Doctrine, and 1t was
be made by which the Confederates
would agree to join In sending any por-
tlon OF their army into Mexico. In that
view his colleagues on the commission
| fully concurred. Mr.. Lincoln, while ad-
| uniting that as President he might prop
erly enter into . military convention for
some OF the purposes proposed, repeated
MS determination to do nothing which
would suspend military operations unless
It was first agreed that the national au-
thorty was to be restored throughout
the country That was the first question
| treaty convention or stipulation with the
Confederate States Jointly or separately
upon that or any other subject but upon
the basis first settled, that the Union
was to be restored. Anv such agreement
or stipulation would be a quasi recogni-
ton OF the States then In array against
the National Government as a separate
p power That a.. he never could do. Judge
10 how restoration was to take place,
| supposing that the Confederate States
were consenting to It.. Mr.. Lincoln re-
hitting the National authorities 10 re-
sumo their functions. Mr.. Seward then
said that Mr.. Lincoln could not express
himself more clearly or forcibly In ref
IN MS message to Congress in December.
1854. and proceeded to state its substances
from memory. Judge Campbell said that
rue war mao given rise to questions which
Gus restoration of former relations could
properly be made. He referred to the
disoandment Of the army which would
require time and to the Confiscation Acts
| on both sides. under which property had
been sold the title to which would be
| affected by the facts existing when the
war ended, unless provided for by stpula-
tons. Mr.. Seward replied that to all
| questions involving rights of property.
the courts would determine and that Con-
Eress would no doubt be liberal in max
ing restoration of confiscated property
or providing indemnity Mr.. Stephens In,
| CURED what would be the status of that
portion of the slave population in the
confederate States which had not then
become free under the Emancipation
proclamation. or in other words, what ef-
rect that Proclamation would have upon
the entire black population Mr. Lincoln
SAID that was judicial question and
ne did not know how the courts would
decide It, His own opinion was that az
the proclamation was war measure and
| would have effect only from it's being an
| exercise or the war power. as soon as
the war ended 1t would be imperative for
| the future. 1t would be held to annIv
| only TO such slaves as had come under
It's operation which it was in active ex
ercise That was his individual opinion.
| put the courts might decide differently
MI Seward said there were only ahoHt
| a"'ooV slaves who up to that time had
come under the actual operation OF the
| froclamaton, and who were then in the
| enjoyment OF their freedom under n so
| II the war should then cease the status
, OF much the larger portion of the slaves
| would De subject to judicial construction
| ne also called attention to the pronosed
constitutional Amendment providing for
| me immediate abolition of slavery
| throughout the United States He said
that was done as a war measure and
II the war were then to cease it would
| PROBABLY not be adopted by a sufficient
number OF states to make it a part of
the Constitution. In answer to an in
curry by Mr. stephens whether the Con
tederate states would be admitted to
| representation in Congress if they should
abandon the war, Mr.. Lincoln said his
| own individual opinion was that they
- h. md h.