The state herald., 1902-05-16
WHAT LINCOLN REALLY SAID.
Senator Vest Makes an Important His.
toric Statement.

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 II. Seward,
secretary of state; Alexander X. Ste
phens, vice president of the Confeder.
ate States; X. NJ. 4. Hunter, former
United States senator, and John A.
Campbell, formerly Justice of the Unit
cd Shtes Supreme Court, President
Lincoln wrote upon n 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, at would place the
government and officers of the COnfed-
cracy 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 tho
floor listened to him with rapt atten-
tion. With great dcliberateness he con-
tinued:
~ yrnrII fhnf tho
federates 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 conferedatc."
From tie lips of Stephens and Hunt
er had come to him, he said, the details
of what ,ook 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 (Nir. VcsD n member of the 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, rs
Mr.. Hunter told him himself, '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
pendenca Of the Confederate States OF
America"
"Thcn," said Mr.. Lincoln. "the In
tervicw had AS well terminate now,
for | must say to you, gentlemen,
frankly and honestly, that nothing will
be accepted from the government at
Richmond except absolute and uncon-
dltional 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 20 out, said:
stephens. you are making great
mistake. Your government Is fall
urc, and when the crash comes. as II
soon must come. there will he chaos
and disasters which We cannot now
forcsee which must come to your pco-
pie
"This account OF that interview"
continued Mr.. Vest, substantially and
almost word for word as have given
IL, came to me from Mr.. Stephens and
Mr.. Hunter"
Mr.. Vest said that lie considered II
his duty TO make this statement In or
der that history may not be falslficd,
In order that the men who Were said
TO have refused this offer Mt the hands
OF President Lincoln should not be
made TO turn In their graves. adding:
For II they had refused what WIS
said to have been rendered them by
the President they would have been ac-
ccssorles 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 professei when they risked
everything, everything that is held dear
among men, In defense OF the Confed-
crate cause"
While the deep silence still rsigncd
In the chamber ms he spoke. and with
every eye directed toward him. Mr..
Vest closed ms follows:
ut may he but a very short time un-
III | shall Join the twenty-five col.
leagues 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 n
shadow Of truth In this assertion which
has been going the rounds OF the news
papers OF the country for the last few