File:Abraham Lincoln (1897) (14754920536).jpg

Identifier: abrahamlincol1479coff (find matches)
Title: Abraham Lincoln
Year: 1897 (1890s)
Authors: Coffin, Charles Carleton, 1823-1896 Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Sovereign Grand Lodge
Subjects: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Presidents
Publisher: New York : Harper & Brothers
Contributing Library: Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection
Digitizing Sponsor: The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant

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others. The restoration of the Union is a sine qua non with me, and
hence my instructions that no conference was to be held except on that
basis.
Mr. Stephens possibly thought Mr. Lincoln could be influenced by
argument. He urged an armistice, and a joint expedition of Union and
Confederate troops to drive the French out of Mexico. This would
establish the right of self-government to all countries in the western
hemisphere against any interference from European nations. The
Confederate Vice-president underrated the logical powers of Mr. Lin-
coln if he thought to hoodwink him by such sophistry. Consenting to
a joint expedition would be an acknowledgment of the Confederacy as
a separate nation.
" I cannot," Mr. Lincoln replied, " entertain a proposition for an ar
-mistice on any terms while the vital question of reunion is undisposed
of. That is the first question with me. I can enter into no treaty,
convention, or stipulation or agreement with the Confederate States,
jointly or separately, upon any other subject but upon the basis first

THE END OF SLAVERY. 481
Text Appearing After Image:
R. M. T. HUNTER.

settled—that the Union is to be restored. Any such agreement or stipu-
lation would be a quasi recognition of the States then in arms against
the National Government as a separate power. That I never will do.
. . . Even if the Confederate States should entertain the proposition to
return to the Union, I could not enter into any agreement in regard to
reconstruction, or upon any other matters of that sort, while there were
parties in arms against the Government."(⁷)
" But," interposed Mr. Hunter, " there are instances where a chief
executive has entered into agreements even when there were parties
in arms against acknowledged authority. Charles I., of England,
did it."
" I do not profess to be posted in history," Mr. Lincoln replied.
" On such matters I will turn you over to Mr. Seward. All that I dis-
tinctly recollect about Charles I. is that he lost his head."(⁸)
The Amendment to the Constitution abolishing slavery was read.
" The slaves," said Mr. Hunter, " have always been accustomed to
an overseer. If you suddenly free them on the basis of the Emancipa-

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