The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-23
THE CONFERENCE
IN HAMPTON ROADS
True History Shows That Mr.:
Lincoln Was Not Magnani-
nous and Liberal.
CIRCUMSTANCES ALTER CASE
General Grant Was the One Tru-
ly Magnanimous Man OF
the North.

TIL. Hampton Roads Conference, as
1t is known in history, was brought
about in the following way:
In the year 1863 Louis Napoleon. at
that time Emperor of France, began
Intriguing to secure Mexico and to
place "a young, ambitious Austrian
prince named Maximilian on the throne
OF that country.
The War of 1876 between the United
States and Mexico had ceased In the
spring of 1S4S by treaty. and Mexico
was left as all countries are left after
an invading army has devastated
conquered territory. In addition TO
the great destruction of property
wrought by the United States Army,
there were internal dissensions In Mex
ico and some OF the dissatisfied ones
had invited Louis Napoleon, at the be-
ginning of the sixties, to take charge
of their country and make an empire
of Mexico. SO at the commencement
of the American Civil War ahc social
and material condition of Mexico was
but little better than at the termina-
ton of the War OF 1916. and Mexico
at this time was an inviting field for
unprincipled and ambitious men.
Mexico had had from time immemo-
rial the reputation among European
rulers of being Immensely rich in min
eral deposits, and no doubt Napoleon
the Third had in mind the Spanish
invasion of Mexico under Cortes, which
had occurred more than three CEN
turtles before this time.
On to Mexico.
At the close of the year and CAM
paign OF 1864 between the Northern
and the Southern armies. Maximilian
Had for orb N
tensions to attract the attention of
the world At the close of 1864 the
Northern and the Southern armies
were taking respite from the arduous
campaigns of that year. The Wash
ington government had made des-
perate effort to bring the war to a
close during 1864. Consequently the
hghting had been something fearful
Mr.. Lincoln's successor as President OF
the United States was to be elected
that year, so It behooved his govern
nent to make the very best possible
showing for the army in the field, In
order to conciliate opposition to his
administration.
Although the South had been hard
pressed, her :. treasury depleted, her
country laid WASTE by fire and rapine
still hertfrriles had made splendid
record during the year 1864. To emu
merate. In Virginia, General Lee
against fearful odds, had more thar
maintained his reputation as a soldier
and stra tegist. No one in the wide
world was better Convinced OF Genera
Lees great abilities a. soldier thar
General Ulysses Grant, the commander
of the opposing army. In truth, at tht
end OF the Wilderness campaign, Rob
,rt E. Lee stood as the first soldier
IN earth, as the head of the best army
TO its numbers, that the sun ever shown
upon
True History.
Mr. Swinton, the Federal historian
In describing the Wilderness campaign
writes: $50 gloomy was the militar.
outlook, and to such degree, by con
yequence, had the moral spring of TIL
public mind become relaxed, that Their
was at this time great danger of
collapse of the war. The history of thi
conflict. truthfully written, Will shoy
this. Had not success elsewhere com
10 brighten the horizon, it would hay
been difficult to- raise new forces 7
recruit the Army of the Potomac
which. shaken in it's structure, its valo
1uenched in blood, and thousands {
Its ablest officers killed and wounde
was the Army of the Potomac n
more
In the Valley and Western yirgini
during the spring and early summe
great forward movement, under GEL
eral Hunter. with the assistance
Generals Averill. Crooke, Kelly, Hay
Begel, and others, had complete
failed. Sheridan had bested Early
the close of the season, but 1t was dol
at a fearful cost. In the South, Gel
eral Sherman had ucceeded IN pen
trating Georgia, but he, too, had q ka
road to travel and when he reach
Savannah his army was In so
plight West of the Mississippi Rive
In the two great battles at Pleasa
Hill and at Mansfield, General n.
Banks, the commander-in-chief of L
Federal forces, had fully sustained i
master" This reputation General Ban
had acquired at Winchester. Va.
the 25th day of May. 1862, when co
fronted by stonewall Jackson.
Troubles North and south.
Now, when the winter Of 1s6i-5 S
In, although the South was sore
elSi strickcn and bleeding from ten tho
Sand wounds, still the little COME
Dracy presented a determined front, Il
was as undaunted in demeanor as
any other time OF her life.
I'm addition tp-the War,with t
E0uth. Mr.. Lincoln and his admin
t,tation had their troubles at hon
Msny of the very best men of I
North were bitterly opposed to \
Constitutional party, as II was CALL
had held u convention In the city
Chicago on the 29th day of Augn
1864, nominating General George
Mcclellan for the presidency, and
Mr.. George II. Pendletpn. OF Ohio.