The Portland daily press., 1864-09-09
A Visit to the President.
LETTER FROM JUDGE MILLS OF WISCONSIN.

LETTER FROM JUDGE MILLS OF WISCONSIN.
The Grant County Wisconsin, Herald con-
tains letter from John L. Mills Judge OF the
Fifth Judicial Circuit, giving an account of a
recent interview with Mr. Lincoln, vita re-
port of the remarks of the latter in regard to
the consequences which would follow the
adoption OF the war policy urged by the
friends OF General Mcclellan. Judge Mills
was accompanied by Ex-Governor Randall, of
this State, who introduced him to the Presi-
dent, whom he warmly thanks for his readi-
ness TO serve his friends from Wisconsin at the
capital. They found the President at the
Soldiers Retreat, a "building not imposing in
size, half hidden in foliage, the grounds taste
fully laid out"
The following is Judge Mills account of his
interview with the President, what he said,
and his impression OF Mr.. Lincoln:
"The Governor asked of a man in waiting if
the President had arrived. Yes, was the re-
ply. We entered neat plainly Furnished
room. A marble table was in the centre.
Directly appeared from an adjoining apart
ment tall, gaunt-looking figure. shoulders
inclined forward, his gait astride, rapid and
shuilling, ample Understandings with large
slippers, and Briarian arms, with face rad-
ant with intelligence aud humoy,
"The Governor addressed MIN. 'Mr. Presi-
dent, this 10 my friend and your friend Mills,
from Wisconsin,
consini they are the hearty friends OF the
Union
81 could not leave the city, Mr.. President,
without hearing words of cheer from your
own lips. Upon you, as the representative Of
loyal people, depend, as we believe, the exist
enee- OF our government and the future Of
America This introduced political topics.
Mr.. Pres.dant, said Governor Randall,
why can't you seek seclusion, and play
hermit for fortnight? it would re-iny;gofate
you.'
"' Aye said the President, two or three
weeks would do me no good. | cannot fly
from my thoughts-my solicitude for this great
country follows me wherever / go. / don't
think 1t is peronal vanity or ambition, though
am not free from these intrmities, but can
not but feel that the veal or woe Of this great
nation will be decided in November. There
is no programme offered by any wing of the
Democratic party but that must result in the
permanent destruction Of the Union.
"'But Mr.. President, General Mcclellan is
in favor Of crushing out the rebellion by force
He will be the Chicago candidate
"sSir,' said the President, the slightest
knowledge OF arithmetic will prove to any
man that the rebel armies cannot be destroyed
with Democratic strategy. 1t would sacrifice
all the white men of the North TO do it. There
are now in the service of the United States
near two hundred thousand able-bodied color
ed men, most OF them under arms, defending
and acquiring Union territory. The Demo
cratic strategy demands that these forces be
disbanded, and that the masters be concliated
by restoring them to slavery. The black
men who now assist Union prisoners to es-
cape, are TO be converted into our enemies in
Al - ,f.s.. 81. ILL xf
their masters. We shall have to fight two ma
tions instead of one.
lyon cannot eonciliate the South II you
guaranty to them ultimate success; and the
experience OF the present war proves their
success Is inevitable II you fling the compul-
sorry labor of millions Of black men into their
side OF the scale. win you give our enemies
such military advantages a. insure success.
and then depend on coaxing, tlattery and con-
cession 10 get them back into the Union
Abandon all the posts now garrisoned by
black men: take 100000 men from our side
and put them in the battlefield or cornheld
against us, and we would be compelled to
abandon the war in three weeks.
"'We have TO hold territory In inclement
and sieky places; where are the Democrats
to do this? Itwas a free fight, and the field
was open 10 the war Democrat TO put down
this rebellion by lighting against both master
and slave, long before the present policy was
inaugurated.
"There have been men base enough to pro-
pose to me to return to slavery the black war
riors of Port Hudson and Olustee, and thus
win the respect OF the masters they fought.
Should do so should deserve to be damned
in time and eternity. Come what will | will
keep my faith with my friend and foe. My
enemies pretend | am now carrying on this
war for the sole purpose OF abolition. So long
as 1 am President it shall be carried on for the
sole purpose Of restoring the Union. But no
human power can subdue this rebellion with
out the use Of the emancipation policy, and
every other policy calculated to weaken the
moral and physical forces of the rebellion.
Freedom has given us two hundred thou
I sand men raised on southern soil. II will give
! us more yet. just SO much it has subtracted
I from the enemy, and instead Of alternating the
/ South there are now evidences OF q fraternal
! feeling growing up between our men and the
I rank and Gle of the rebel soldiers. Let my
! enemies prove to the country that the destruc-
! ton OF slavery Ia not necessary To a restora-
ton of the Union. l viii abide the ISSUE
81 saw the President was not mere joker
z but man Of deep convictions, of abiding
faith in justice, truth and Providence. Hi:
( voice was pleasant, his manner earnest and
emphatic. As he warmed with his theme his
mind grew to the magnitude of his body.
felt was in the presence of the great guiding
intellect Of the age, and that those huge At
lantean shoulders were At to bear the weight
Of mightiest monarchins. His transparent
honesty, republican simplicity, his gushing
sympathy for those who offered their lives foi
their country, his utter forgetfulness Of self il
his concern for its welfare. could not but In
spire me with confidence that he was Heavens
instrument to conduct his people through
this sea of blood to Canaan OF peace and
freedom. j. T. MILLS"