The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-02

by the people. am not statesman or a
politician, and | do not know just how
such plan could be carried out but Won
get the idea-that the people shall decide
the question.
"That the majority shall decide il. you
mean. We seeded to rid ourselves of the
rule Of the majority, and this would sub
ject US to it again"
But the majority must rule finally,
either with bullets or bayonets."
l ana not so sure of that. Neither cur
rent events nor history shows that the ma
!ority rules, or ever did rule. To the con-
lrary' l think, is true. Why, sir, the man
VINO should go before the southern people
VIVID s1ch a proposition, with any PROPOSE
tlon which implied that the North was to
nave voice in determining the domestic
relations of the South, could not live here
a day. He would be hanged to the first
tree, without judge or jury"
ALLOW Inc to doubt that I+b;nt #
more likely he would be hanged, if he let
the southern people know the majority
couldn't rule, replied, smiling.
navy ho Iedr vi lIldL, reiOlned Mr.
Davis, also smiling most good-humoredly.
~ give you leave to proclaim il from ever
house-top in the South. =
But, seriously, sir, you let the majority
rule IN single state; why not let it rule
in the whole country"
Because the states are indeDerdept
and sovereign. The country is not. It's
only confederation of States; or rather
it was; it is now two considerations. >"
Then We are not people-we are
only political partnership"
"That is all -
Your very name, sir, Omitted States,
implies that" said Mr.. Benjamin. Out
tell me, are the terms you have named
emancipation, no confscation, and univer
sal amnesty-the terms which NJ. Lincoln
authorized you to offer us?"
No, sir; Mr.. Lincoln did not author
ize NE to offer you any terms. But
think both he and the Northern people for
the sake OF peace, would assent 20 some
such conditions"
They are very generous" replied Mr..
Davis, for the first time during the inter-
view, showing some angry feeling. But,
amnesty, sir, applies 10 criminals. We
have committed no crime Confiscation
is of no account, unless you can enforce
it. And emancipation. You have already
emancipated nearly two millions of our
slaves, and if you will take care of them,
you may emancipate the rest ! had 9
few when the war began. I was of some
use to them; they never were of any to
me. Against their will you .'emancipat-
ed them, and you may emancipate ev-
cry negro in the Contederacy, but we will
be free. We will govern ourselves We
will do it if we have to see every Southern
plantation sacked and every Southern city
in flames"
g see, Mr.. Davis, it IS useless 70 coz
tlnue this conversation, replic l ''anG
you will pardon Us if We have seemed to
press our views with too much pertinac-
ity. We love the old flag, and that must
be our apology for intruding upon you at
al ~
"You have not intruded upon me-" he
replied, resuming his usual manner. "I
am glad to have met you both. once
loved the old flag as we'll as you do;
would have died for it; but now it is 70
me only the emblem of oppression"
" hope the day may never come, Mr.
Davis, when say that" said the colonel
CLOSE OF THE INTERVIEW.
A half.hour's conversation on other ton
ics-not of public interest-ensued, and
then we rose to go. As we did so, the
rebel President gave me his hand, and
bidding me kind goodbye, expressed
the hope OF seeing me again in Richmond
IN happier ti,nes-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; wish
you every good can wish you consistently
with the interests of the cOntederacy."
The quiet, straightforward bearing and
magnificent moral courage of our eight
ing parson had evidently impressed Mr..
Davis very fayorably.
Aswe were leaving the room he added ::
"Sav to Mr.. Lincoln from me that shall
at any time be pleased to receive propo-
sails for peace on the basis OF our indepen-
dence. 1t will be useless to approach me
with any other"
When we went out Mr.. Benjamin called
Judge Ould, who had been waiting during
the whole interview-twO hours-at the
other end OF the hall, and we pushed down
the stairway together. As put my arm
within that of the judge, he said to me !:
swell, what is the result?"
Nothing but war-war to the knife. "
"Ephraim is joined to his idols-let
him alone" added the colonel, solemuly.
The National lntelligencer and Press
fdeMt Lincoln.