The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-09-23


by which this war can be stopped. Our
people want peace; your people do, and y ur
Congress has recently said that you do. We
have come to ask how it can be brought
about
DAVIS TERMS or PEACE.
In very simple way. Withdraw your
armies from our territory, and peace will
come Of itself. We do not seek to subjuga,e
you. We are not waging an offensive war,
except 50 far as it is offensive deicnsive-that
is, 50 far Us we are forced to invade you to
prevent you from invading us. Let us alone
and peace will come at once.
But we cannot let you alone so long as
you repudatc the Union. That is one thing
the northern people will not surrender
Il know. You would deprive us of what
you exact for yourselc-thc right of self.gov-
ernment.'
No. SIR | remarked. We would deny
you no natural right. But we think Union
essentia! to peace and, Mr.. Davis. could
two people. with the same language, sepi-
rated only by an imaginary line, live at peace
with each other? Would not disputes con-
s,antly arise between them ?
doubtedly-with this generation. You
have sOwn such bitterness ut the South, you
have put such an ocean OF blood between the
two sections, that despair of seeing any
harmony in my time. Our children may
forget this war but zoe cannot
Il think the bitterness you speak Of. sir.
does NOT really exist. We must talk here as
friend. our soldiers meet and fraternize with
each other and feel sure that il the Union
were restored, more friendly feeling would
arise between us than ever before existed.
The war has made us know and respect each
other better than before. This is the view
of very many southern, men have had 1t
from many of them--your leading citizens.
..hey are mistaken replied Mr.. Davis
They do not understand southern sentiment
How can We feel anything but bitterness
towards men who deny us our rights? II you
enter my house and drive me out OF it. am
not your natural enemy ~
You put the case too strongly. But we
cannot fight forever ; tho war must end at
some time we must finally agree upon some
thing can we not agree aud stop this fright
iul carnage? Wea both Christian men.
Mr.. Davis. Can you asa Christian man
leave untitled any means that may lead to
peace p
No cannot. desire peace as much as
you do. Idcplorc bloodshed as much as you
do but feel thatnot one dropof blood shed
in this war is on my hands can look NJ
to my God and say this. tried all in my
power to avert this war. saw it coming
and Tor twelve years worked night and day
to prevent it, Tut could not. Tho North
was mad and blind il would not let us gov.
ern ourselves and so the war came, and now
must 90 on till the last man Of us falls in his
tracks, and his children seizs his musket and
fight his battles, unless you acknowledge
our right to seli-sovernment. We are fight
Ing for independence-and that or extermi'
nation We will have
And there are at least four and halt mil.
lions Of us lett so you SEQ you have u work
before you said Mr.. Benjamin, with dc
cidcd sneer.
We have no wish to cxtermiaate you, an.
swered the Colonel. Il believe what have
said-that there is no bitterness between the
northern and southern people. The North,
know, loves the South. When peace comes
il will pour money and means into your
hands to repair the waste caused by this war
and it would now welcome you back and for.
give YOU all tho loss and blood-slcd you have
caused. Blu, we must crush your armies and
exierminate your government. And is not
that already nearly done? You are wholly
without money and at the end OF your rc-
sources. Gnnt has shut you up in Rich
rnoud. Sherman is before Atlanta. Had
YOU not, then. better accept honorable terms
while you can retain your prestige and save
the pride ot the southern people?
Mr.. DAVIS ON THE coSrspERArK PROSPECTS.
Mr.. Davis smiled. and proceeded to argue
tina, the South could hold out. claiming that
the military situation was in their favor
that their resources were inexhaustible, &c.
DAVIS LOOKS TO rnE corrERlIEADs.
you canno. expect, with only four and a
halt millions, rs Mr.. Benjamin says You have,
to hold out forever against twenty millions.
Again Mr.. Davis smiled. i. 81. ,s.s
DO You suppose there are twenty millions
at the North determined tn crush us?'
Il do-to crush your government A small
number Of our people, a very suall number