Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1861-05-08


The Hon. GARRETT DAVIS, Of Kentucky, in
letter to the Louisville Journal, dated Baltimore,
April 26th, describes an interview with President
LINCOLN, and the proposed policy of the Admin-
istraton in relation to our national troubles Mr..
DAVIS says:
early last week | determined, upon my own
reflection and impulse, to make hurried run to
Washington, to take view of public atfairs
there and from there; and to talk with the Presi-
dent and some OF the members of his Cabinet,
in relation to our national troubles, and how the
Administration intends to treat them.
| found the President frank and calm, but de
cided and firm He expressed deep concern and
regret for the existing condition OF public affairs,
and his hope that there would yet be restora
ton of the Union, and peace and amity among
all the States He remarked, that neither he nor
any other President, who had been elected by
marty. could administer the Government in exact
accordance with his opinions and judgment; but
must make some departure to satisfy those VINO
had placed him in power That, before the Caro-
linians had made their attack on Fort Sumter, he
had decided not reinforce ort attempt to rein
force its garrison but merely, and only, to supply
its handful of furnishing men with food; and that
he had distinctly communi, ated these purposes To
the authorities of the Southern Confederation.
That he had also determined that, until the meet
ing of Congress, he would make no attempt to
retake the forts, &c, belonging to the United
States. and which had been unlawiully seized and
vrested 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 to depart from that purpose by the
continued military operations OF the seeded
States
The President further said that events had
now reached a point when it must be decided
whether our system of Federal Government was
only league of sovereign and independent States,
from which any State could withdraw at pleasure,
or whether the Constitution formed government
invested with strength and powers sufficient to
uphold its own authority, and to enforce the exc
cution of the laws of Congress. That he had
no doubt of the truth of the latter proposition,
and he intended TO make it good in the admins
traton 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 requistion 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 10 the
Union and faithful in the performance OF all her
duties That he greatly regretted she had not
acted up to the principle of her great statesman,
now no more, and for which she cast her vote in
the late Presidential electon-"The Union the
Constitutions and the Enforcement Of the Laws
That he intended to make no attack, direct or
indirect, upon the institutions or property of any
State; but, on the contrary, would defend them
to the full extent with which the Constitution and
laws of Congress have vested the President with
the power And that he did not intend to invade
with an armed force or make any military or
naval movement against any State, unless she OF
her people should make it necessary by a form
liable resistance of the authority and laws of the
United States. That if Kentucky or her citizens
should seize the post of Newport, it would become
his duty and he might attempt to retake it; but he
contemplated no military operations that would
be necessary to move any troops over her terrific
ries-though he had the unquestoned right at all
times to march the United States troops into and
over any and every State. That if Kentucky
made no demonstration of force against the United
States he would not modest her. That he regret
ted the necessity of marching troops across Mary
land 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 of communication through that State
to Washington City, at any risk. but in manner
least calculated to irritate and inhame her people