Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-08-30


Union, yours TO be bound by ii, and TO stay 10
peace The two governments can contract IN
this way, and the people, though constitution
ally unable to decide on peace or war, can tlect
which of the two propositions sball govern their
rulers. Let Lee and Grant, meanwhile, agree
to au armistice. This would sheathe the sword
and il once sheathed, il would never again be
drawn by this generation.
&" The plan Is altogether mpractloable. II
the South were only one state, it might work
but as it is, il one southern state objected To
emancipation it would nulliy the whole thing
for you are aware the people Of Virginia cannot
vote slavery out of South Carolina, nor the peo-
pleSf South Carolina vote it out Of Virginia"
:" But three iourths OF the states can ameDd
the constitution Let it be done in that way
in any way, 30 that it be dor e by the people.
am not statesman or politician, and do
not know just how such plan could be carried
OUT bat you get the idea.-tbat the people
shall decide the question.
" That the majority shall decide it, ycu mean.
We seeded 10 rid ourselves oI the rule Of the
majority, and this would subject us to 1t again.
But the majority must rule finally, either
with bullets or ballots"
ain not so sure Of that Neither current
events nor history shows that the majority rules
OF ever did rule. The contrary think, Is true.
Why, sir, the man who should 20 before the
southern people with such proposition, with
any proposition which implied that the North
was to have voice in determining the domestic
relations of the South, could not live here day.
lie would be hanged to the first tree, without
Judge or jury
Allow me to doubt that. think it more
likely he would be hanged If he let the Southern
people know the majority couldn't rule" re-
Piled, smiling
/" have DO fear of that" reoined MIR. DAVIS,
also smiling most good humoredly. :" give you
leave to proclaim 1t from every house-top in the
South"
" But, seriously, sir, you let the majority
rule in single statej why uot let it rule 10 the
whole countryl"
+" Because the states are independent and SOW
ereign The country Is not. IL is only con-
federation OF sta tes; or rather IT was; lt IL now
two considerations"
Then we are not people-we are only a
political partnership?
" That Is all. "
Your very name, sir, United States, i'm.
plies hat said Mr.. Benjamin. g But tell me,
are tha terms you have named-Emsncipatlon,
no conhscation, and universal amnesty--the
terms which Mr.. Lincoln authorized you TO Of
fer us?"
mo, sir Mr. Lincoln did not authorize me
to oiler you any terms But think both he
and the northern people, for the sake OF peace,
would assent TO some such conditions.
" They are very generous, replied Mr. Da-
Wis., Tor the first time duriog the interview show
ing sJme angry feeling. - But, amnesty, sir,
applies TO criminals. We have committed no
crime Cunhscation Is of no account, unless
you Can enforce it. And emancipation You
have aheady emancipaLed nearly two millions
OF our slases--and II you will take care OF them,
you may emancipate the rest | had lew
when the war begun. was OF some use to
them they never were Of any to me. Against
their will you 'emancipated them, and you
may emaDcipate every negro IA the COnifd-
eraoy, but We will be tree We will govern
ourselyes. We will do il if We have tO see eve
ry sOutLern plantation sacked and every south
ern city IN flames"
il" see, Mr. Davis, it is useless to continue
this conversation, | replied = aud you will
pardon US, II We have seemed TO press our views
with too much pertinaclty. We love the old
dag, aud that must be our apology ior Inuuding
upon you at all
/" You have not intruded upon me" he re-
piled, resuming his usual manner. - am glad
10 have met you both. | once loved the old flag
as we'll as you do | would have died Tor it :
but now it is to me only the emblem OF oppres-
sion.
hope the day may never come, Mr., Davis
when saw that " said the Colonel.
cLosE Oh TIE lSTERvKw.
hafhours conversation on other topics
not OF public interest -ensued, and then we
rose to 20. As we did 80, the rebel President
gave ms his hand, and, bidding me kindly
good bye, expressed the hope OF again seeing
me in Richmond in happier times-when peace
should have returned but with the Colonel his
parting Was particularly cordial Taking his
hand in both Of his, he said TO him
Colonel, respect your character and your
motives, and wish you well-l wish you every
good can wish you consistently with the inter
ests OF the CoDiederacy"
The quiet, straightforward bearing and mag
nifcenl moral courage Il our +" fighting parson :"
had evidently Impressed Mr.. DAVIS very hvora-
bly,. yo
As we were leaving the room he added;
Say to Mr.. LlncOln from me that shall gt
any tlme be pleased to receive proposals Dor
peace on the basis OF our Independence, 1t will
be useless to approach me with any other.''
When we went out Mr. Benjamin called Judge
0uld who had been waiting during the whole
interyiew-two hours-at the other end Of the
hall, and we passed down the stairway together.
As put my arm within that Of the Judge, he
said 20 me-
"Wull, what is the result ?"
Nothing but war-war 10 the kniie.'
Ephraim is joined 10 his idols-let hiua
alone, added the Colonel solemnly