Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-01-01

! "ihOhS q ~" VI tnC lllClhOtIb NS W WY
Mr.. Davis, if he sincerely desired peace,
did not pursue tho course that he knew
all along was open to him. This con-
sumed considerable time. Each seemed
to be of the conviction that that was the
proper course while not one seemed to
comprehend the difficulties which sur
rounded Mr.. Davis should he, at home,
intimate such course. The general
amnesty, and retention of all the rights
and privileges of American citizens to be
guaranteed, was something that they
either lost sight Of or deemed Of but lit
tie consequence. | ventured, at last, to
suggest this matter, which seemed to
throw q new light upon Mr.. Davis pro-
ceedings, and which, for time, seemed
to be favoraby considered. But as dis
cussion continued--or perhaps / ought to
say, comment continued-on this sugges
ton, the favorable consideration became
envelopcd in such cloud of embarrassing
considerations of what appeared to me
selfish and partisan compilations, that
the further contemplation of it, by sort
of tacit consent, was postponed. 1t was
never resumed in my hearing.
Some little merriment was INDUCED in,
in reference to Mr.. Davis views respect
ing the Emancipation Proclamation-the
President in this taking the lead; Sccre-
tarics' Seward and Wells being the only
gentlemen who seemed to preserve the
dignity of their position, and rightly to
estimate the importance of the OCCASION
AS for Mr.. Stanton, semi-fiendish vim
dictiveness came out prominently in ev-
cry look, in every motion of head and
hand, and in every word. 1t seemed to
greatly please the President, because it
hattered his vanity, and thought could
read in his countenance that he deemed
that proclamation stroke of statesman
ship that posterity would regard as the
boldest and grandest conception of mill
tary strategy the military necessity sunk
into utter nothingness at that which others
might esteem its nconStitutionality.
Never did the tones and bearing of a man
appear before me in all my ideas of the
despot whose will is !aw, as did those OF
Mr. Lincoln on that occasion. L looked
at him with the eye of an artist, and had
/ the ability to place on canvas my idea
of the highest type of q desrot, | should
paint Mr.. Lincoln as he then appeared
because he presented to my mind all the
characteristics of man conscious that he
was lording it over free people.
The very apparent gratulations oI
Mr.Lincoln were the signal or license fol
little desultory and personal conversa-
tion among the several gentleman. Mr.
Lincoln dismissed me by saying that he
wished to see me the next morning at his
chamber, and very kindly offered to send
an attendant with me to the hotel. This
l declined. One or two Of the gentlemen
said they were going partly in that direc,
tion; but, without waiting for them,
bowed myself out.
The next morning, at 10 o'clock,
waited on Mr.. Lincoln, and was imme-
diately received. The only object seemed
to be a desire on the part of Mr.. Lincoln
to refresh his memory on some points
alluded to in the previous interviews, du
ring which he sometimes compared my
replies with notes he had made, and, ir
two or three instances, corrected his notes
That interview was very brief. At its
close Mr.. Lincoln told me there would bl
another meeting in his room that eve
ming, and he wished me to be in waiting
at six O'Clock. was punctual to tn,
time, and in less then five minutes | wa
called in. l could see and feel in mo-
= ment that most, if not all, of the gentle
: men present viewed me in different ligh
{ from that of the evening before. The,
had not the same inquisitorial manner
t about them; neither did their countenanco
, express the incredulity of the former oc
casion. They received me and treate,
\ me as a man with whose truthfulness the,
8 were satisfied. | was not with them 81
q long as at the previous meeting and be
ing more at case, because more self-pOs
/ sesscd, | was not only led, but encour
:, aged, to speak more freely on all tn
/ points previously discussed. There wa
nothing now elected, or attempted to b
!. elected. had said every thing the eve
+ ming before which had to say, and 81
told the meeting. AT the close of tn
r. first meeting felt that there was som
= probability that the Administrator
q would take some official action in refer
Y ence to Mr.. Davis informal propositio
:. which might lead to mutual intercours
=. respecting settlement of our difficulties
!. and | was in part, perhaps, led to thi
o and encouraged in it by the fact tina
= Mr.. Lincoln had asked me at the close
n or nearly so, of our first interview, if
, would have any hesitation or objection t
). going to Richmond again, if commits
If sion was properly sent there, | answer
4 Ell that | would not. But. at the close {
this second meeting, | came to the cor
a clusion that, il there was any dispositio
q to do such thing, it was carefully cou
, cealed from me but, on the whole, l be
A lieved no such disposition existed.
:. l saw Mr.. Lincoln at his own request
n three successive mornings afterward. II
Y appeared to have no business with m(
n beyond that OF seeing me, and askin
t some trifiing questions in reference t
d something before said. l also saw Nj
o Stanton each day, at his request. and hi
r. business seemed to be similar to that {
e the President. My calls on Mr. Stanto
It were made in the afternoon, by his ap
e pontment. That there was n concerto
NJ motive in timing these calls, | was the
: and am now satisfied, but cannot say, o
+ even guess, what it was.
A. 7 ~ ,