Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-08-26

mean. We seeded to rid ourselves Of
the rule of the majority, and this would
subject US to it again."
"But the majority must rule finally
either by bullets or ballots"
II am not SO sure of that. Neither
current events nor history shows that
the majority rules, or ever did rule. The
contrary, L think, is true. Why, sir
the man who shall go before the South
ern people with such a prOpositiOn-with
any proposition which implied that the
North was to havea voice in determining
the domestic relations of the South
could not live here day! He would
be hanged to the first tree without judge
or jury"
"Ailow me to!doubt that. 1 think il
more likely he would be hanged if he lei
the Southern people know the majority
could not rule" 1 replied smiling.
II have no fear of that" rejoincd Mr.
Davis, also smiling most good humored
ly. II give you leave to proclaim il
from every house-top in the South"
but, seriously, sir, you let the major
ity rule in a single State; why not let il
rule in the whole country?"
because the States are Independent,
and sovereign. The country is not. II
is only a confederation of States, OF
rather it Wos; it is now t,Do confedera
tiOns.'
"Then we are not II people--we are
only political partnership"
"That is ALL"
"Your very name, sir, United States,
implies that" said Mr.. Benjamin. But
tell me, are the terms you have named
Emancipation, No COnfiscatiOn and
Universal Amnesty-the terms which
Mr.. Lincoln authorized you to offer us p
''No, sir. Mr.. Lincoln did not author.
iZe me to offer you any terms. But
think both he and the Northern people
for the sake of peace, would assent to
some such conditions.
"They are UcrV generous" replied Mr.
Davis, for the first time during the in.
terview showing some angry feeling.
But Amnesty, sir, applies to criminals
We have not committed no crime. Con.
fiscation is of no account unless you en-.
force it; and Emancipation! Youhave
already emancipated nearly two millions
ofour slaves, and if you take care fthem
you may emancipate the rest. 1 had q
few when the war began l was of some
use to them; they never were of any to
me. Against their will you 'emanci-
patee' them; and you may 'emancipate
will be free! We will govern ourselves
We piN do it, if we have to see every
plantation sacked, and every Southern
city in flames!"
II see, Mr.. Davis, it is useless to con-
tinue this conversation, replied land
you will pardon us if we have seemed to
press our views with too much peril.
nacity. We love the old flag; and that
must be our apology for intruding upon
you ALL"
You have not intruded upon me-
he replied, resuming his usual manner
81 am glad to have met you both.
once loved the old flag as well as you do
| would have died for it but now it is
to me only the emblem of oppression
81 hope the day may never come, Mr.
Davis. when /say that" said the Col.
onel.
A half hours conversation on other
topics-not of publics interest-ensued
and then we arose to go. AS we did sc
the Rebel President gave me his hand
and, bidding me kindly ''good-bye,'
expressed the hope of seeing me again
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 WE'LL
wish you every good wish I can wish
you consistently with the interests OF
the Confederacy."
The quiet, straightforward bearing
and magnificent moral courage of oul
lighting parson" had evidently inn
pressed Mr.. Davis very favorably.
I
added:
"Say to Mr.. Lincoln from me, that
shall at any time be pleased to receive
proposals for peace on the basis of Oul
Independence. 1t will be useless to ap.
prOach me with any Other.N