The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-02-11

(theu called kepublicansl came TO bhllA-
ton with this whispered question: " Are
you not going 20 answer him - Gala
ton. in his excitement. answered loud
enough to be heard by those around him:
1T il 'onanswerable. But our friends
on the wrong side of the pending ques-
tion herein are specially unfortunate. by
their silence a. to this record evidence
they are attempting to ignore it with the
hope that it may drop out OF view. Thus
they present added instances Of those
victims on whom the scathing Of John
Randolph. OF Roanoke. descended. They
are trying 10 foist on Ms the play OF
Hamlet with the part OF Hamlet left
ont.
And,though Pesident I.incon's origi-
nal purpose and plan Of justice aud pc
cuniary compensation 70 Southern slave
holders was bailled by those who ought
10 have upheld and sustained him, be
did not abandon it, He tried to have it
a lopted and carried cut even to the last
{ fort possible which was that OF the
conference in Hampton Roads. Look
carefully aud without pnrti-anship, pref
lice, or prepOssession. at the whole
a count of that effort for stopping
boodshed and obtaining peace. |
do not believe that any man or
woman OF competent intelligence and
culture. and who il not blinded by see
tional prejudice and by predetermined
purpose to see nothing wrong in the
policy and conduct OF Jefferson Davis
and his fayortes, can read attentiyely
the narrative and documents given by
Alexander II Stephens in his "COmpre-
h ,nsiye History of the United States. 'pp.
99S-lO17. without having fastened on
his mind and soul the distinct impression
that President Lincoln, Secretary Seward
and General Grant, all desired that the
war. with its blood and its horrors,
should be closed as soon as possible, and
that the terms on which it was practicable
to close it were the ceasing of armed OPP
position to the United States Govern
ment. the return of the seeded slave
States to their places in the Union, the
abolition of slavery by gradual emanci-
patton, and money compensation TO the
slave owners. The writer's represented
by the mythic signs, talk much about the
conference being entirely informal and
without record OF course it was. Ii
was simply tentative. But it was hon
estly tentative and might have resulted
in prompt peace il the suggested condi-
tions had been met in the wise and
proper spirit. The assertions frequently
made that no terms but unconditional
surrender and submission were offered by
Lincoln and Seward, are plainly contra
dicted by the promulgated evidence.
Mr.. Hunter, in the course OF the confer
ence, having made some remarks to the
effect that the conditions suggested for
peace, amounted, in his judgment. to
nothing but IAN additional surrender on
the part Of the Confederate States and
these people," we read as follows, Up.
1000: "Mr Seward promptly replied
by insisting that no words like uncondi-
tional submission had been used. or any
importing orjustly implying degradation
or humiliation even, to the people of the
Confederate States He wished this to
he borne in mind"
And Mr.. Seward and President Lincoln
both declared their opinion that the proc
lamation as to the slavery being war
measures" had only operated in favor of
such of the slaves as had come to the
Federal armies or within their lines, and
that they did not probably exceed 200-
900 in numbers. And Mr.. Seward urged
as a reason for prompt ending OF the
war, that within few days before he
left Washington, the proposed amendment
which would unconditionally abolish
slavery everywhere in the United States
(now Amendment KID had been voted
by the Congress. and sent out to the
States, but that if the war could be end.
ei so that the seeded States could re-
turn to the Union and vote, this amend
ment could be defeated page l00S).
Aud President Lincoln stated his views
and wishes as 10 money compensation
for the freed slaves in words as follows:
"He should exercise the power OF the Ex-
erutive with the utmost liberality." He
went on to say that he would be willing
to be taxed to remunerate the Southern
people for their slaves. He believed the
people OF the North were as responsible
for slavery as the people Of the South,
and II the war should then cease with the
voluntary abolition Of slavery by the
States. ne should be in favor, individual
ly, OF the government paying n fair in
demuity for the loss to the owners. He
believed this feeling had an extensive ex-
istence at the North He knew some
who were in favor Of an appropriation
as high as $40O, 600 ,OO0ior this purpose
Il could mention persons, said he. whose
names would astonish you, who are will
ing to do this il the war should now
cease without further expense and with
the abolition OF slavery as stated" Mr..
Seward, in substance, consurred with
President Lincoln. But OF course in this
informal and tentative conference, no
stipulation could be made, p. 1903.