Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1861-05-01
1NTERv1Ew WITH THE PRESIDENT.

a We learn that delegation from five of the Young
Mems Christian Associations Of Baltimore, consist
ing of six members Of each, yesterday proceeded to
Washington for an interview with the President
the purpose being to ntsrceie with him in behalfof
peaceful policy, and to entreat. him not to pass
troops through Baltimore or Maryland. Rev. Dr.
Fuller Of the Baptist Church. accompanied the par
ty by invitation, chairman and the conversation
was conducted mainly between him and Mr.. Lin
coin, and was not heard entire by all the members
OF the delegation. - "a %
Our informant however, vouches for what we
now write He states that upon being introduced
they were received very cordially by Mr.. Lincoln
a sort Of rule familiarity of manner-and the con-
versation. opened by DR.. Fuller seeking to impress
upon Mr. Liucoln the vast responsibility Of the posi-
ton he occupied, ard that upon him depended the
issues Of peace war-on one hand terrible, frat
ricidal conflict, and on the other peace.
But" said Mr. Lincoln, what am | to do
"Why, sir, let the country know that you are
disposed to recognize the independence of the
Southern States say nothing of secession, recog-
nze 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 the place of
anxiety and suspense, and war may be averted,"
"And what is to become Of the revenue? l shall
have no Government-no resources"
DIR. Fuller expressed the opinion that the North
ern States would constitute an imposing Govern
ment and furnish revenue, but our informant could
not follow the exact turn of remark.
The conversation turning upon the passage Of
troops through Maryland DR.. Fuller expressed very
earnestly the hope that no more would be ordered
over the soil of the State. He remarked that Mary
land had shed her blood freely in the war Of indie
pendence-she was the first to for the adoption
of the Constitution and had only yielded her cling
ing attachment to the Union when the blood Of her
citizens had been shed by strangers their way to
q conflict with her sisters at the South.
Al l. Il khaN
only for the defence Of the capita-not for the in
vason of the Southern States And" he said, 81
must have the troops, and automatically the ne
cessty exists that they Should come through Mary
land. They can't crawl under the earth, and they
can't fly over it, and mathematically they must
come across it Why, sir, those Carolinians are
now crossing Virginia to come here and hang me-
and what can do?"
In some alluson to the Importance Of peace
policy Mr.. Lincoln remarked that if he adopted it
under the circumstances there would be no Wash
ington in that, no jackson in that, no spunk in
that"
Dr. Fuller hoped that Mr.. Lincoln would not allow
"Spunk' to override patriotism.
Mr. Lincoln doubted if he or Congress could re-
cognize the Southern Confederacy. And We sus-
pect that such Congress as the next will be- with
all the Southern States out Of it. is not likely to re-
cognize it. With regard to the Government, he
SAID "he must run the machine as he found it,
And in reference to passing troops through Balti-
more or Maryland he said, 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, "Fll tell you
story. You have heard of the IriShman who, when
fellow was cutting his throat with blount razor
complained that he hagglcd it. Now, if | can't
have troops direct through Maryland, and must
have them all the way round by water, or marched
across outof.the-way territory, shall be haggled.'
The delegation, or leaving the presence" con-
ferred together and agreed on the hopelessness Of
their errand and the sad prospect OF any good thing
from such a source and the exclamation was actual
ly made God have mercy on us, when the Gov
ernmcnt is placed in the hands of man like
this "-BaltjmOre Sun.