The National Peace Conference opens in Washington, but few believed that anything would come of it.

Exploring the most important 55 months in American history
The National Peace Conference opens in Washington, but few believed that anything would come of it.
The Senate fails to adopt John J. Crittenden’s compromise plan, prompting more last-ditch efforts at conciliation.
The U.S. House of Representatives forms a committee to hammer out a compromise between North and South, but both sides show signs of inflexibility.