Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1864-09-08
JEFF. Davis Views on the Rebellion.


Edmund Kirke's published account of
his interview with JEFF. Davis reads more
like a sensation novel than an unvarnished
narrative of facts, and this because the au-
thor chose to give his narrative in the con-
versational style. Although it would be
absurd to claim for this document the au-
thority of verbatim report of the inter-
view, there can be no reasonable doubt that
it rightfully represents the sentiments ard
opinions which were elected. Though the
mission itself is ofno Importance whatever,
some of the facts which it developed, and
which have been confirmed by the declara-
tons of the southern press, are of the great
est importance. The President Of the
Southern Confederacy has had more to do
with the secret work of fomenting this re-
pellion, and with its secret history since its
inception, than any other living man, and
his declarations regardingi it are of the ut
most moment Some of these, which relate
to points now at issue between the two
great parties at the north, and between the
north and the south, we desire to call atten-
), ton to:
!. That the South means nothing short
Of disunion, and has from the beginning.
Mr. Davis is explicit on this point, Slavery
he believes never was an essential element.
at was only the means of bringing other
conflicting elements to an earlier culmina-
ton. 1t fired the musket which was al
ready capped and loaded" The measures
of the administration aholishing slavery,
against which so much has been said as en-
differing the feelings Of the South and pro-
longing the contest, cannot have changed
its character at all, and their only effect has
been to weaken the war power at the South
and strengthen that of the North. Those
northern politicians who claim that the anti
| slavery measures of the administration are
the great barriers to a reconciliation will do
we'll to remember that Mr.. Davis says that
the slavery question is wholly immateral.
2. Mr.. Davis admits that the South
brought on the war. Slavery he says, was
a means of bringing other conflicting ele-
ments to an earlier elimination In other
words the disunion leaders made use Of it
to fire the southern heart and bring the
people up to the terrible work of war.
1.-THE North was mad and blind it would
not let Us govern ourselves; and so the war
came" In other words it would not con-
sent to disruption of the Union, to q
foreible seizure of government forts, ar
senals, arms and other property, to the
firing upon fort defended by small brave
garrison in government employ, without
using it's power to protect its property and
defend its citizens. If this is beginning
the war, verify the North began it.
8. That his previous moves looking to ne
gotiatons for peace, which have been SO
much talked Of North and South, were
wholly insincere. The only terms he is
ready to offer, or ever has been, are a recog-
milton Of the right Of secession and of the
iaaepenG ence of the South. He never can
have had the faintest hope that ssch terms
would receive a moments consideration
from President Lincoln's administration.
His measures have met precisely the recep-
ton he expected, and were senS solely that
he might be able to place himself before
foreign powers, and the disafected portions
of the North, in the attitude.of one who had
tried to make peace, but had found every
door closed. The embassies were for politi-
cal effect and not for reconciliation.
4. An armistice is impossible unless the
North is willing first to withdraw her
armies and her navy, and yield all the
ground she has conquered in this war;
This is Mr.. Davis express declaration, and
should set the subject forever at rest. He
will not consent even to negotiate till we ac-
knowledge ourselves defeated and retire
from the contest. This declaration implies
necessarily the surrender to the South of all
the territory originally claimed by her.
5. 'Do you suppose there are twenty
millions at the North determined to crush
u.s." asked Mr.. Davis and when answered
in. the affirmative he looked incredulous
The contrast between the foar millions at
the South and the twenty millions at the
North was too great to leave him any hope,
if only the twenty millions were united.
The true strength of the rebellion-Mr.
Davis could not have said it plainer-is not
in the Confederate armies but in the dis
affection at the North. On this, and this
alone, they build hopes of success. do you
suppose there are twenty millions at the
North determined to crush us ?" asked the
President, and could the assurance have
been given him and the whole South, in
such terms as it would be impossible to
misunderstood the rebellion would at once
collapse IN despair. 1t is because we have
traitors in our midst that the war has con-
tinued thus long. The so-called Democratic
politicians who have decried war, tried to
thwart the Government, pronounced our
cause homeless and are now raising the cry