Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-04-26
INTERVIEW WITH THE president.

We learn that a delegation from five Of the Youpl
Mems Christian Associations of Baltimore, consisting
six members Of each yesterday proceeded TO Washing
ton for an interview with the President the purpose be
irg TO a.ercede with him in behalf Of peaceful policy
and 10 him pass troops through Baltimore
or Maryland. Rev. DR.. Fuller, OF the Baptist Church
accompanied the party by invitation, as chairman aud
the conversation conducted mainly between him anC
Mr. Lincoln, and not heard entire by all the mem
bers OF The delegation
Our informant, however, vouches for what we now
write He states that upon the introduction they were
received very cordially by Mr.. Lncon-a sort Of rude
familiarity Of manner-and the conversation opened by
Dr. Fuller seeking to impress upon Mr.. ncon the
responsibility of the position he occupied, and that up
on him depended the issues OF peace or war-on one
hand terrible fratrcidal conflict, and on the other
peace
But" said Mr.. Lincoln "what am to dog"
"Why sir, let the country know that you ara dspos.
ed to recognize the independence Of the Southern States
| say nothing OF secession, recognize the fact that
they have formed government OF their own, that
they will never be united again with the North, and
peace will Instantly take tina place OF anxiety and sus
pense and war will be averted."
"And visa is to BECOME OF the revenue? shall have
no government-no resources
Dr. Fuller expressed the opinion that the Northern
States would constitute imposing government, and
furnish revenue, but our informant could not follow the
exac. turn of remark
The conversation turning upon the passage Of troops
through Maryland DR.. Fuller expressed very earnestly
the hope that would be orGe.ed the soil OF
the State He remarked that Maryland had shed her
blood freely in the war OF ndepeu dence she the first
to move fo the adoption of the constitution and had
" Welded her clDgHg attachment TO the Union when
the blood of her citizens had been shed by strangers
their way to a conflict with her sisters at the South
Mr. Lincoln insisted that he wanted the troops only
for the defence of the capital for the invasion of the
Southern States. "And," be said, II must have the
troops and Mechanically the necessity exists that they
should come through Maryland They can't crawl under
the earth, and they can't fly it, and Mechanically
they must come it. Why, sir those Carolinans
are now crossing Virginia to come here and hang me,
and what can doY
In some allu;ion to the importance Of peace policy,
Mr. Lincoln remarked that if he adopted it under the
circumstance there "woud be Washington in that,
no Jackson in that no spunk in that |"
DIR. Fuller hoped that Mr. Lincoln would not allow
"spunk" to override patriotism.
Mr. Lincoln doubted if he or Congress could recognize
the Southern Confederacy. And suspect that such
Congress as the next will be- with all the Southern
States out of it, is not likely to recognize it With
gard TO the government, he said che must the
chine as he found IT," ard in reference to passing
troops through Baltimore or Maryland he Gad Now,
sir, if you won't hit me- won't hit you"
As the delegation were leaving, Mr.. Lincoln said to
one or two of the young men, an tell you story
You have heard of the Irishmsn, who, when fellow
was cutting his throat with blunt razor, compaine
that he hagged it. Now if can't have troops direct
through Maryland must have them all the way round
by water or marched across outoftheway territory
shall be baggled.
The delegation, on leaving "the presence" conferred
together and agreed the hopelessness Of their erraud
and the sad prospect Of any good thing from such
source, and the exclamation was actually made "God
have mercy us, when the government is placed in
the hands Of 9 msn like this !"-BaltimOrs Sun.