Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-08-20

the interview are given in the Atlantic
Monthly for September, from the advance
sheets of which we reproduce the follow
ing interesting statements. They are from
the pen of Mr.. Gilmore.
Upon arriving at the spOttswOod Hotel
Mr. Gilmore and the Colonel sent note to
the rebel Secretary Benjamin, requesting
an interview with President Davis. The
Secretary, in reply, sent them his comPli-
ments, and stated that he would be happy
to see them at the State Department. At
nine O'Clock in the evening they called and
met by appointment
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Mr.. Benjamin occupied his previous seat
at the table, and at his right sat spare,
thin featured man, with iron gray hair and
beard, and a clear grey eye full of life and
vigor. he had broad massive forhead
and a mouth and chin denotiug great en-
ergy aud strength of will. His face was
emaciated and much wrinkled, but his
features were good, especially his eyes
though one of them bore a scar, apparently
made by some sharp instrument. He wore
a suit of grsyish brown, evidently of for
eign manufacture, and as he rose l saw
that he was about FIVE feet ten inches
high, with slight stoop in the shoulders.
His manners were simple, easy, and quite
fascinating, and he threw an indescribable
charm into his voice as he extended his
hand and said to U.S.
Il am glad to see you, gentlemen. You
are very welcome to Richmond
And this was the man who was Presi-
dent 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 my ease
(the Colonel would be at his if he stood
before Cesar), and l replied
I'VE thank you, Mr. Davis. 1t is not Of
ten you meet men of our clothes and our
principles at Richmond"
"Not often, not so often as l could wish;
and l trust your coming may lead to
more frequent aud a more friendly inter
course between the North and the South
I'VE sincerely hope it may.
'Mr. Benjamin tells me you have asked
to see me, to-
And he paused. as if desiring we should
Yes, sir. We have asked this interview
in the hope that you may suggest some
way by which this war can be stopped
Our people 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 your
armies from our territory, and peace will
come of itself. We do not seek to subju-
gate you. We are not waging an offensive
war, except so far as it is offensive defen-
sive-that is, so far as we are forced to in
wade you to prevent your invading US. Let
US alone and peace will come at once"
But we cannot let you alone 80 long as
you repudiate the Union. That is the one
thing the Northern people will not surren-
DER
Il know. You would deny to US what
you exact for yourselyes-the right of self
governments
mo. SIR remarked. I'VE would deny
you no natural right. But we think Union
essential to peace; and, Mr. Davis, could
two people with the same language, separ-
ated by only an imaginary line, live at
peace with each other? Wonld not dis
putes constantly arise, and cause almost
constant war between themH
Undoubtedly-with this generation
You have sown such bitterness at the
South, you have put such an ocean OF
blood between the two sections, that l de-
spair of seeing any harmony in my time.
| OuE CulluEou LuhJ lOlRCL LulS WET UuL We
cannot"
Il think the bitterness you speak of, sir, ;"
said the Colonel, docs not really exist
We must talk here as friends; our soldiers
meet and fraternze with each other; and
feel sure that if the Union were restored a
more friendly feeling would arise between
US than has ever existed. The war has
made US know and respect each other bet
ter than before. This is the view of very
many Southern men. have had it from
many of them-your leading citizens
They are mistaken, replied Mr.. Davis.
'They do not understand Southern senti-
ment. How can we feel anything but Bit
terness towards men who deny us our
rights. If you enter my house and drive
me out of it, am l not your natural en-
envy p
you put the case too strongly. But we
cannot fight forever the war must end at
some time; we must finally agree upon
something; can we not agree now and stop
this frightful carnsgef We are both Chris
tian men, Mr.. Davis. Can you as Chris.
tiau man, leave untried any means that may
lead to peace p
NO, l cannot Idesire peace as much as
you do; deplore bloodshed as much as
you do but l feel that not one drop of the
blood shed in this war is on my hands
can look up to my God and say this.
tried all in my power to avert this war.
saw it coming, and for twelve years work
ed night and day to prevent it, but could
not. The North was mad and blind; it
would not let US govern ourselves and so
the war came, and now it must 20 on till
the last man of this generation falls in his
tracks, and his children seize his musket
and fight his battles, unless you ackuowl-
edpa Our RIGHT to self. poVernment We ora
not fighting for slavery We are fighting
for ndependence-and that or determination
we will have
and there are at least four and half
millions of us left; so you see you have
H. -.nI, ! aid NJ