Gilpin observer., 1902-05-15
WHAT LINCOLN REALLY SAID.
Senator Vest Makes an Important His
toric Statement.

Washington, May 1O-In the Senate
Mr.. Vest Of Missouri called attention
to the statement of Mr.. Tillman made
recently, that at the historic conference
in Hampton Roads, in 1864, between
President Lincoln, William H. Seward,
secretary of state; Alexander X. Ste
phens, vice president Of the Confeder-
ate States; r. NJ. I. Hunter, former
United States senator, and John A.
Campbell, formerly justice of the Unit
ed States Supreme Court, President
Lincoln wrote upon a piece of paper,
Save the Union," 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, sit would place the
government and officers of the Confed-
eracy in the category of criminals, be-
cause it offered the Confederacy all
that it ever demanded in the widest
hope of the most extreme partisans of
that cause if they would only return to
the Union"
deep silence had fallen upon the
chamber, and every senator on the
floor listened to him with rapt atten-
tion. With great deliberateness he con-
tinued:
'If true, it would mean that the con.
fa1n tn, ~
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
n member of the Cabinet and the speak
er (Afr. VesO n member of tie Confed-
crate Senate. Il 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, 1 desire to
know what are your powers and in
structionS for the Richmond govern
ment.' avoiding" said Mr.. Vest, as
Mr.. Hunter told him himself, 1.-THE
words confederate states.'"
Mr.. Hunter. to whom the inquiry
was addressed, said: "Mr. 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, 1.-THE IN
terview had as well terminate now,
for l must say to you, gentlemen,
frankly and honestly. that nothing will
be accepted from the government at
Richmond except absolute and uncon-
ditiOnal surrender"
Mr.. Vest said that this terminated
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 it
soon must come. there will be chaos
and disasters which we cannot now
fOresee which must come to your peO-
pie"
"This account. of that interview"
continued Mr.. Vest. substantially and
almost word for word as l have given
it. came to me from Mr.. Stephens and
Mr.. Hunter"
Mr.. Vest said that he considered II
his duty to make this statement in or
der that history may not be falsified,
in order that the men who were said
to have refused this offer at the hands
of President Lincoln should not be
made to turn in their graves. adding:
For II they had refused what was
said to have been rendered them by
the President they would have been az.
cessories 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 still reigned
In the chamber as he spoke. and with
every eye directed toward him, Mr..
Vest closed as follows:
"It may be but very short time un-
til l shall join the twenty-five col
leagues | had in the Confederate SEN
ate, and did not want this statement
to go into the record of this country
without my statement of these facts
and my solemn denial that there is n
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 Shjps Lost,