Abraham Lincoln's stories and speeches : including early life stories, professional life stories, White House incidents, war reminiscences, etc. . position, and of his belief that a few days more wouldsee Richmond in our posession, and the army of Leeeither dispersed utterly or captured bodily—when thetelegram from Grant was received, saying that Lee hadasked an interview with reference to peace. Mr. Lincolnwas elated, and the kindness of his heart was manifest inintimations of favorable terms to be granted to the con-quered Rebels. Stanton listened in silence, restraining his emotionbut at le
Abraham Lincoln's stories and speeches : including early life stories, professional life stories, White House incidents, war reminiscences, etc. . position, and of his belief that a few days more wouldsee Richmond in our posession, and the army of Leeeither dispersed utterly or captured bodily—when thetelegram from Grant was received, saying that Lee hadasked an interview with reference to peace. Mr. Lincolnwas elated, and the kindness of his heart was manifest inintimations of favorable terms to be granted to the con-quered Rebels. Stanton listened in silence, restraining his emotionbut at length the tide burst forth. Mr. President, saidhe, to-morrow is inauguration day. If you are not to bethe President of an obedient and united people, you hadbetter not be inaugurated. Your work is already done,if any other authority than yours is for one moment to berecognized, or any terms made that do not signify you arethe supreme head of the nation. It generals in the fieldare to negotiate peace, or any other chief magistrate is tobe acknowledged on this continent, then you are notneeded, and you had better not take the oath of o WAR STORIES, 24I Stanton, you are right! said the President, hiswhole tone changing, Let me have a pen. Mr. Linclon sat down at the table, and wrote as fol-lows: The President directs me to say to you that he wishesyou to have no conference with General Lee, unless it befor the capitulation of Lees army, or on some minor orpurely military matter. He instructs me to say that youare not to decide, discuss, or confer upon any politicalquestion. Such questions the President holds in his ownhands, and will submit them to no military conferencesor conventions. In the meantime you are to press to theutmost your military advantages. The President read over what he had written, andthen said: Now, Stanton, date and sign this paper, and sendit to Grant, Well see about this peace business. The duty was discharged only too gladly by the ener-getic Sec
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