Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-05-23
An Interview with President
Lincoln.

Hon. Garrett Davis, Of Kentucky, has
written letter to the Louisville journal
giving an account Of an interview he had
with President Lincoln. During that iu-
teniew the President stated that he had no
intention Of invading Southern soil unless
forced to it BY Southern aggression, and
that be contemplated no military opera
tons that would make it necessary to move
troops over Kentucky territory. Mr.. Davis
says:
found the President frank and calm,
but decided aud firl. lie expressed deep
concern and regret for the existing condi-
ton Of public affairs, and his hope that
there would yet be a restoration Of the
Union, and peace and amity among all the
States. lie remarked that neither he, nor
am other President, who had been elected
by 4 party, could administer The govern
ment in exact accordance with his own
opinions and Judgment; but must make
some departure 10 satisfy those who had
placed him in power. That, before the
CaroELians had made their attack on Fort
Sumter, he had decided not to reinforce its
garrison, but merely, and only, to supply
its handful Of furnishing men with food
and he had distinctly Communicated these
purposes to the authorities of the Southern
Confederation. That he had also de-
ternined that, until the meeting Of Con-
gress, he would make no attempt 70 retake
the forts DC, belonging to the United
States, which had been unlawfully seized
and wrested from their possession, but
would leave the then existing state Of
things 70 Be considered ana acted upon BY
Congress, unless he should be constrained
to depart from that purpose BY the con
tinued military operations Of the seeded
States.
The President further said that events
had now reached a point when it must be
decided Whistler our system Of Federal
Government was only league Of soyer-
eign and independent States, from which
any State could withdraw at pleasure, on
whether tile Constitution formeda govern
ment invested with strength and powers
sufficient to hold its own authority, and to
enforce the execution Of the laws Of Con
gress. That he had no doubt Of the truth
Of the latter proposition, and he intended
to make it good in the administration Of
the Government to the extent that he
should be sustained BY the people Of the
United States.
He remarked also, that he had expected
all the States, upon which he had made a
requisition for military aid, TO enable him
to execute the laws, to respond TO that call !;
and particularly the State Of Kentucky,
which had been so loyal to the Union and
faithful in the performance Of 1, her duties
Thai he greatly regretted she had not acted
up to the principle Of her great statesmen
now no more, and for which She cast her
vote at the last Presidential election, "ihe
Union, the Constitution, ana Tie Enforce
ment of the Laws
That he intended to make no attack, di-
rect or Indirect, upon the institutions or
property of my States; but, on the contrary
would defend her to the full extent with
which the Constitution and laws Of Con
gress have invested the President with the
power. And that be did not intend to in-
wade with an armed force, or make any
military or naval movement against any
State, unless she CT her people should make
it necessary by formidable resistance Of
the authority and laws ofthe United States.
That if Kentucky, or her citizens, should
seize the post Of Newport, it would become
his duty and be might attempt to retake it /;
but he contemplated no military operations
that would make Unnecessary to move troops
over her erritories--though he had the
unquestioned right at all times to march
y. s. troops into and ever every State
That, if Kentucky made no demonstration
Of force against the United States he would
not modest her. That he regretted the
necessity for N rching troops across Mary
land, but forces to protect the seat Of the
United States Government could not BE
there without dong so; and
intended to keep open a line of commune
cation through tlat State u Washington
City. at any risk, but in a manner least
to irlitatc and intiame her people
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