Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-09-01

Aessrs- GILMORE and JAouEs stated that the,
brought no oyertures whatever from our Gov
eminent, and had no authority from it be
yond Mr. LINcoLs's permission to come, ant
were there not as diplonatists, but as mel
and christians, desiring to see if there wa
not some way BY which this war could b.
stopped. Mr., BENJAMIN promised to use hi
influence to have an interview granted, ant
requested hessrs. GILMORE and JAQUEs to cal
again in the evening, which they did, ant
then met the rebel President. We give tn,
remainder of Mr.. GILNoRE's narrative in full
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Mr. Benjamin occupied his previous seat q
the table, and at his right sat spare, THU
featured man, with iron gray hair and beard
and a clear gray eye full of life and vigor
He had broad massive forehead and mouth
and chin denoting great energy and strength
of will. His face was emaciated and muci
wrinkled, but his features were good, espe
cially his eyes-though one of them bore
scar, apparently made by some sharp instru
ment. He wore suit of grayish brown, ev
identity of foreign manufacture, and as he rose
| saw that he was about five feet ten incbe.
high, with slight stoop in the shoulders
His manners were simple, easy, and quite fas
cinating, and he threw an indescribabie charm
into his voice as he extended mis- hand anC
said to u.s.
{" | am glad 10 see you, gentlemen. Yor
are very welcome to Richmond"
And this was the man who was Presiden,
of the United States under Franklin Pierce
and who is now the heart, soul and brains OF
the Southern Confederacy.
His manner put me entirely at nv ease
(the Colonel would be at his if he stood be.
fore Caesar, and l replied f
" We thank you, Mr. Davis. 1t is not often
you meet men of our clothes and our princi
pies in Richmond"
mot often, not so often as could wish
and | trust your coming may lead to a more
frequent and more friendly intercourse be-
tween the North and the South"
owe sincerely hope it may"
" Mr.. Benjamin tells me you have asked tc
see me, to-
And he paused, as if desiring we should
finish the sentence. The Colonel replied
eyes, sir. We have asked this interview
i'll the hope that you may suggest some way
by which this war can be stopped. Our PEG
pie want peace; your people do, and your
Congress has recently said that you do. We
have come to ask how it can be brought
about"
In very simple way. Withdraw YOU
armies from our territory, and peace will come
Of itself, We do not seek to subjugate you
We are not waging an offensive war, excep
so far as it is offensive defensive-that is, SC
far as we as we are forced to invade you tt
prevent your invading US. Let us alone ant
peace will come at once"
"But we cannot let you alone so long a
you repudiate the Union. That is one thing
the Northern people will not surrender"
81 know. You would deny us what yo,
exact for worcestershire right of self govern
ment."
"No, sir" remarked. eve would den,
you no natural right. But we think Uniol
essential to peace; and, Mr.. Davis, could TIVE
people, with the same language, separated b,
each other? Would not disputes CONSTANT,
arise, and cause almost constant war between
them? ?"
dly-with this generation. Yov
have sown such bitterness at the South, yol
have put such an ocean of blood between TIL,
two sections, that | despair of seeing an,
get this war; but we cannot"
81 think the bitterness you speak Of sir,
said the Colonel, "does not really exist. W.
must talk here as friends our soldiers NEE
and fraternize with each other; and fee
sure that if the Union were restored NOR,
friendly feeling would arise between US thai
has ever existed. The war has made us know
and respect each other better than ever be
10 of
eun men. | have had it from many of then
your leading citizens"
"They are mistaken" replied Mr.. Davis
"They do not understand Southern sentiment
How can we feel anything but bitterness to
wards men who deny us our rights If yor
enter my house and drive me out of it, am
not your natural enemy ?"
"You put the case too strongly. But W,
cannot fight forever; the war must end a
some time; we must finally agree upon some
thing; can we not agree now and stop thi
frightful carnage? We are both Christian
men, Mr.. Davis. Can you, as Christian man
leave untried any means that may lead tt
peace
"No, cannot. desire peace as much al
you do. l deplorc bloodshed as much as you
do but feel that not one drop of the blood
shed in this war is on my hands; can lool
up to my God and say this. l tried all in n.y.
power to avert this war. | saw it coming
and for twelve years | worked night and day
to prevent it, but | could not. The Nortl
was mad and blind; it would not let US gov
ern ourselves; and so the war came, and nov
it must 60 on till the last man of this genera
ton falls in his tracks, and his children seize
his musket and fight his battles, unless you
acknowledge our right to selfgovernment
We are not fighting for sla0ery. We are fight
ing for iadependence-and that or determination
sce oM hare"
"And there ale at least four and hal
millions of US left; so you see you have worl
before you," said Mr.. Benjamin, with decid
ed sheer.
owe have no wish to exterminate you,
answered the Colonel. 81 believe what
have said-that there is no bitterness be
tween the Northern and Southern people
The North, know, loves the South. Wher
peace comes it will pour money and means
into your hands to repair the waste caused BY
the war; and it would now welcome you back
and forgive you all the loss and bloodshec
you have caused. But we must crush YOU
armies and exterminate your government
And is not that already nearly done ? YOU
are wholly without money and at the end OF
your resources. Grant has shut you up in
Richmond. Sherman is before Atlanta. Had
you not, then, better accept honorable terms
while you can retain your prestige and save
the pride of the Southern people 2"
Mr. DAVIS ON THE CONFEDERATE PROSPECTS.
Mr.. Davis smiled
81 respect your earnestness, Colonel, but
you do not seem to understand the situation.
We are not exactly shut up in Richmond. If
your papers tell the truth it is your capital
that is in danger, not ours. Some weeks ago
Grant crossed the Rapidan- to whip Lee and
take Richmond. Lee drove him in the first
battle, and then Grant executed what your
nannle call q brilliant flank movement