The Washington herald., 1915-02-07
CIVIL WAR DAY BY DAY, FIFTY YEARS AGO
Daring Land Exploits of Union and Confederate Forces ReVeWe
lling Events Of the Great Struggle Graphically Described

meetins-that all communications should
be verbal. To this the Confederates
agreed. Mr.. Stephens then repeated his
question, to which Lincoln replied that
he knew Of but one way and that was
''for those who were resisting the laws
Of the Union to cease their resistance"
Mr.. stephens rejoined that he had been
led TO believe that ''the present strife
might be left in abeyance while the two
parties occupied themselves with some
continental question"
The Case of Charles 1.
This was a reference to a plan that
had been proposed to Jefferson Davis by
Francis p. Blair, sr-, Of Maryland. for
an invasion of Mexico Mr.. Blair's visit
had led to the sending to him men OF
the Confederate delegation.
Lincoln at once disclaimed any respon-
sibility for Mr.. Blair's plan. stating that
Mr.. Blair had gone to Richmond on his
own authority. Mr.. Stephens continued
the subject, dwelling on the advantages
Of extending a possible new Federal re-
public by the absorption of Mexico.
Lincoln brought the subject back to
the point at issue. by saying the plan
called for an armistice. and that he
could agree to no armistice, nor could he
enter upon any agreement of any nature
with the Confederate States.
On this point Mr.. Hunter urged as a
precedent the course of Charles / in
treating with the rebellious members Of
his Parliament. A whimsical expression
appeared on Lincoln's face when he re-
marked. ''On questions OF history I must
refer you to Seward. for he is posted
on such things, and l don't profess TO
be; but my only distinct recollection of
the matter is that Charles lost his head
in the end"
offered to Pay for Slaves.
The discussion. which became general.
was free and courteous.
The Confederate delegates turned to
the subject nearest their hearts by ask
ing Lincoln what assurances he would
make them Of liberal treatment OF the
South in the event of the war being
ended.
He told them that he believed that the
revolted States would again be permit
ted representation In Congress: that he
would exercise power of the Executive
with the utmost Hberality. so far as the
enforcement of the conhscation act
against the Confederates was concerned;
and that he would be willing to remu-
nerate the p, pie of the South for the
loss OF their slaves. Indeed. Lincoln
had IN his pocket at that time the draft
OF bin that he wanted to send TO Con-
gress when he returned to Washington.
providing for the payment Of 800. 900 900
TO the Southern States for their slaves.
When the evils Of immediate emanci-
patton were mentioned by the delegates,
Who pictured the sufrerings Of the wom-
en- and children and old and inhrm
slaves, who would not be able to sup
port themselves, Lincoln had recourse
TO q story to express his views. This was
about an Illinois farmer who, on being
advised to pant potatoes and let his
hogs feed upon them in the field. asked
what he should do when the ground was
frozen, and was told: Let 'em root
Anything for the Union.
The paramount Importance attached by
lincoln to the restoration OF the Union
as preliminary to peace, Is shown by a
remark he made to Mr.. Stephens, to
whom he said, taking him aside and
showing him a sheet of paper: 'tSteph-
ems, let me write Union at the top OF
that page, and you may write below 1t
whatever else you please"
To Mr.. Stephens the President suggest
ed that the Southern States separately
might bring the war to a close. He sug-
gested that II he lived in Georgia, as Mr.
Stephens did. he would "go home and
get the governor OF the State to call the
legislature together and get them to re-
call all the State troops from the war,
elect Senators and members Of Con-
gress." and ratify the thirteenth amend
ment TO the Constitution (abolishing
slavery. the ratification to take effect in
five years.
None of Mr.. Lincoln's friendly and lib
eral suggestions had effect upon the
Confederate commissioners. Although
they knew their cause was on the brink
OF disillusiOn, they were determined to
see the South go down fighting rather
than yield to Iincoln's condition of sub
mission to the laws OF the Union as the
prime essential ofIpeace.
At the end of the conference the Con-
federates returned to their steamer and
started back for Richmond, while Lin
coin set out on return trip to Wash
ington.