Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1861-05-09
From the Louisville Journal.
.etter from the Hon. Garrett DAVIS.
BAnrrMonE, April %, 1861.

!
BARRYMORE, April %, 1861.
GEO. D. PRENTICE, ESQ: DEAR sra
Early last week determined upon my own
reflection aud impulse, to make hurried
run 10 Washington, to take view of pub
lie affairs there, and from there; and 10 talk
with the President and some of the mem
bers of his Cabinet in relation to our ma
tional troubles, and how the Administration
intended TO treat them.
found the President frank and calm;
but decided and firm. He expressed deep
concern and regret for the existing condi.
ton of public affairs, and his hope that there
would yet be restoratioDiof the Union, and
peace and amity among all the States. He
remarked that, neither he or any other
President who had been elected by party
could administer the government in exac,
accordance with his own opinions and judy
ment; but must make some departure 10
satisfy lthose who'had placed him in
power. That, before the Carolinians had
made their attack on Fort Sumter, he had
decided not to reinforce or 10 attempt 10
reinforce its garrison. but merely and on
" to supply its handful of Vanishing men
with food, and that he had distinctly COM
municated these. purposes 10 the authorities
of the Southern Confederation. That he
had also determined, that, until the meeting
of Congress, he would make no attempt to
retake the forts, &c., belonging to the Uni
ted States which:had been unlawfully seiz.
ed and wrestsd from their possession, but
would leave the then existing state Of
things TO be considered and acted upon by
Congress, unless he should be constrained
10 depart from that purpose By the continu-
ed military operations Of the seeded States.
The President further said, that, events
had now reached point when it must be
decided whether our system of federal
government was only eage Of sovereign
and independent States, from which any
State could withdraw at pleasure, or
whether the Constitution formed govern.
msnt invested with strength and powers
sufficient to uphold its own authority and
to enforce the execution of the laws of
Congress. That he had no doubt Of the truth
Of the latter proposition, and he intended
10 make il good in the Administration Of
the government 10 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
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 all her duties.
That he greatly regretted that she had not
acted up to the principle of her great states
mad now no more, and for which she cast
her vote in the late Presidential election,
''the Union, the Constitution and the En-.
forc-ment Of the Laws"
That he intended TO make no attack di.
rect or indirect, upon the institutions or
property Of any State, but, on the contrary,
would defend them to the full exteati with
which the Constitution and laws Of Con.
gress have vested the President with the
power. And that he did not intend 10 in.
wade with an armed forco, or make any mil
itary or naval movement against any State,
unless she or her people should make it
bCCCssdty W Icslsbouuc VI llic
authority and laws of the United Statss.-
That il Kentucky, or her citizens should
seize the post Of Newport, i. would become
his duty and he might attempt to retaks it
but be contemplated no military operations
that would make it necessary TO move any
troops over her territories though he had
the unqusstioned right at all times to march
the U. S. troops into and over any and ev-
cry State. That if Kentucky made no dem
onstration offorce against the United States
he would not modest her. That he rsgrst-
ted the necessity Of marching troops across
Maryland, but forces to protect the Seat Of
the United States Government could not
be concentrated there without doing SO;
and he intended to keep open line oil COM
munication through that State to Washing
ton City , at any risk, but in manner least
calculated TO iriiiate and inHame her people.
In this time Of gloom and,dsnger, when
the nation is being rocked TO its base, and
SO many States are leaping headlong into
the abyss OF revolution. it Is the paramount
duty of every true son of Kentucky to give
all his efforts to save her from the fatal
plunge, end thus keep away from her Dor.
ders The most terrible of all scourges, a
civil and servils war. LIE, her not become
party to this most unnecessary, unnatu-
raj and revolving sectional strife. She had
neither part nor lot in bringing it on. II
was precipitated by its arrogant authors
without understanding 10 consult her, o.
gainst her earnest remembrance and to put
in peril all her interests, every hearthstone
within her borders, and all her women and
children. Its flashes and ihunders are
cleaning and breaking in the Southern no.
rizon over the guilty heads of those who
dared it, would have ii; and there let II,
rage and waste its fury. There is no call
Of interest, Of honor or of duty upon us to
rush into it, and thus avert it from the
South, and bring down its fury upon our
selves. Will we permit our sympathies
for those who had none for us, or our rsek-
less knight errantry, TO intervene at the
cost of having our fair and peaceful land
rsvsged with fire and sword.