Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-02-26
An Entcrviow with Llncoln-Prepare for
Wnr

| The Louisville "Courier" tells US that Mr.
| Thomas Hutchison, II wealthy and c,uinen,,y
respectable citizen of Boyle county, kentucky
and member Of tho Union party was at Spring
Held, Illinois, few days ago, and feeling deep.
~ interested IN the maintenance of peace, and
ANXIOUS iOr the restoration IF the Union, and
knowing that the question Of peace or war is
substantially in the hands Of Mr.. Lincoln,
through the influence which his position gives
him over the members Of his party, he sought
an Interview with the President. elect. never
doubling that he would learn that the patriot.
ism aud good sense and sound Judgment OF
| that distinguished gentleman were equal to the
emergency and capable Of carrying us peacea-
bly, and safely through the crisis
The Courier says Mr. Hutchinson has re.
turned home ocithonthepe Jvr tie future Mr..
Lincoln in the conversation referred to the
anti-coercion resolutions passed through the
House Of Representatives at Frankfort by q
vote Of ST ayes TO G noes and asked his
visitor il they expressed the sentiment Of the
people Of the Stats. Mr.. Huchison replied
that the people of Kentucky are for the Union
that they will cling TO it as the sheet anchor o!
their hopes; that they would make any sacri-
flee which freemcn could make to preserve it
but he thought il any attempt should be made
to coerce the seeding States by Federal arms,
they would make common cause with the
South that he believed tie resolutions ex-
pressed the sentiment Of the State.
Mr.. Lincoln then said, with emphasis : "li
Kentucky means to say that If the Federal
Government undertook to rccapture the South
ern forts and cnicct the revenue and war en-.
uln .;,l, ~,
PREPARE FOR WAR"
That is the word with the bark on il, aud
must, we suppose, be taken as the settled pur-
pose and determination Of the President elect
II is war.
Commenting upon the above the New York
Tribune" says:
Mr. Thomas Hutchinson, Of Boyle county,
KY, lately visited Mr.. Lincoln at Springfield,
aud i'll reply to the question what WAS the feel
ing of Kentucky concerning the Pro Slavery
rebellion, answered that the people q: that
State were for the Union, but thar they would
regard any movement Of coercion ms ?ealara-
ton Of war. To this statement, Mr.. uutchi-
son reports Mr.. Lincoln rs replying, emp!iaii.
cally:
III Kentucky means to say that If the Fed.
SIdi So'eIniHe'it uuucItaheS W IeCdpIulC lHc
Southern forts and collect the revenue, and
war ensues, she will unite with the South, let
her prepare for war"
This is the trne doctrine Thdse who pre-.
tend 10 believe in the Union, and yet declare
II emselves ready TO fight for the pretended light
OF Secession, mny as well understand that the
case is serious one If there is right Of ST.
ceSsion, there is no Government. They w!:o
assert the one deny the other; while the Fcde-
raj Executive. whose members sol"nnly
sworn to fulfill the duties Of a Government.
must, in obedience to the sacred obligations Of
their oalhs, begin By demonstrating that there
is Government This IS Mr. Lncol"'s dHty,
and it is also, thank God his intcxiLic deter.
ninaton; and we may DC sure that there will
be no sham, no false prctcnSes, in h!s mode Of
treating the subject.