New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-05
GARRETT DAVIS SEES THE PRESIDENT.

GARRETT DAVIS SEES THE PRESIDENT.
The following letter is published in The Louisville
Journal of the I'd inst.
BALTTMoRE, April %, 1861
GEo. ID. PRENTICE, esq Dear SIR: Early last
week determined, upon my own reflection and inn
pulse, to make hurried run to Washington, TO take
talk with the President and Of the members OF
ins Cabinet in relation to national troubles, and
how the Administration intended to treat them.
found the President frank and calm, but decided
aud hrm He expressed deep col Germ and regret for
the existing condition of public afsirs aud Ills hope
that there would be yet restoration Of the Union and
peace and smity among all the States. lie remarked
that neither he other President who had been
elected by party could administer the Governue in
exact accordance with his Opinions and judgment,
but must make departure to satisfy those who had
placed him in power. That before the Carolinians had
made their attack Fort Sumter, he had decided not
TO reinforce attempt to reinforce Its garrison, but
merely, and only, TO supply its handful OF iauisi ing
with food and that he bad distinctly eommnni-
Gated these purposes TO the authorities Of the Southern
Confederation. That he had also deteruned that,
until tie meeting of Congress, no would make no at
tempt retake the FORTS &C., belonging to tie United
States which had been unlawfully seized and wested
from their possession but would leave the then exist
ing state of things be considered and acted upon by
Congress, unless he should be constrained to depart
from that purpose by the continued military operations
of the seeded States
The President further said that events had now
rea he'd point when it must be decided whether our
system Of Federal Government was only a League OF
sovereign and independent States from which any
State could withdraw at pleasure whether the Con-
stituton formed Government invested it'll strength
and power sufficient to uphold it's authority, and
cree the execution of the laws of Congress That he
had doubt Of the truth Of tie lat proposition, and
he intended 10 make it good in the Administration of
The Governments TO the extent that lie should be sus
tanned by the people OF the United States.
He remarked, also, that he had expected all the
States upon which be bad made requieitoD for nib
tary aid to enable him execute the laws TO respond
10 hat call, and particularly the STATE Of Kentucky,
which had been 20 loyal TO tie Union ana faithful III
the performance Of all her duties. That he greatly re-
gretted she had not acted up TO the pinci OF her
great statesman no more and for which she cast
her vote il the late Presidential election, the UDion
| the Constitution, and the enforcement OF tie laws
That he intended TO make attack, die,t or ipdi-
rect upon the Institutions or property Of any Stat"
bat on the contrary would defend them to the fo ex-
tent with which the Constitution and laws Of COngrss
have vested the President with the power And that
he did intend 10 invade with armed fore, or
| make any military or naval movement against any
Sta un she or herpeople should make nee ssaTy
by formidable eistance OF the authority aud laws OF
tie United States. That If Kentucky or her citizens
should seize the post of Newport 1t would become bis
duty AID might attempt to retake 1t but he contem
plated no military operations tat would make nece
slry to move any troops her territories though lie
! had the upuuestioned night at all times to narch
the u. 8. troops into and over any and every State.
That if Kentucky made no Demonstration OF force
| sganst the United States he would not moleet her.
That be regretted the necessity Of marching troops
across Mary land but forces protect the seat of the
United States Government could not be concentrated
there without doing and be intended 10 keel open
line of communication through that State to Wash.
ington City, at any risk, but in manner least calcu
lated TO i1itate and infsme her people.
Iu this time Of gloom and danger when the nation
being rocked TO its base and many States are leapng
hesdopg iuto the abyss OF revolution Il Is the par
mount duty Of every true of Kentucky to give sl
bis efforts TO her from the fatal plunge and TIM.
keep away from her borders the moot terrible Of all
sconrges, civil and servile war. Let her not become
=. NINA fsral nd 70
voting sectional strife. She had neither part nor lot
in bringing it 1t preepitattd by its arrogant
authors without condsscendng 10 consult her against
her earnest remoDstanoes and to put Ia peTi all her
interests every heartbsone within her borders, and all
h,r women and her children. lite flashes and thuuoerr
| are cleaning and breaking In the Southern boriz9n
over the guilty beads If those who dared 1t, Would
have it, and there let Il rage and waste its fury There
is no call Of interest Of honor duty upon us 20 rush
into il and thus avert Il from the South, and bring
down its fury upon Ourselves. Will we permit Our
sympathies for those who had none FOR U.S. kess
knighterrantry intervene at the cost OF having our
fair and peaceful land ravsged with fire and sword
Let Kentucky look herself and her own s,lfpreser'
walton in this dread hour. Let her stand innovstie
as rock peering above the tempesttossed ocean, aud
"a the red waves Of war; from North or South, beat
agaiost her finn base let her roll them back th oil
their desolatioR 10 enable her to perform this DIM
cult and perOus duty, LET her clothe herseif In ni
panoply Let al her and all bcr youths procure
for themselves the most effective arms, and tben them
selves form independent oganzaion OF companies
regiments, and divisions Let them dnli thoroughly
and always be ready to defend their homes and their
State from all enemies within or without. Let them
puttheInseves under the command OF brave and fath
ful men, who are known to have no object but the 90
fence and preservation OF Commonwealth and the
reconstruction Of the Union. Let us hubbard all oui
resources and perfect military organization and
when the contending parties become worn ana "ts1ed
bv prolonged and bloody war; we can then effectively
| interfere to command general peace.
fA'OiaN' ''uI6 Garrett DAVIS