Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-09-10
Impor ant and Interesting Interview
Judge Mills Visits the President.
Mr.. LineOIn,s Views Of the Democratic Policy.

ter in regard to the consequences which
would follow the adoption of the war policy
urged by the friends of Gen. MCCLELLAN.
Judge MILLS was accompanied by ex-Gov.
RANDALL, of this State, who introduced him
to the President, and whom he warmly thanks
for his readiness to serve his friends from
Wisconsin at the capital. They found the
President at the Soldiers Retreat,"a building
not imposing in size, half hidden in foliage,
the grounds tastefully laid out"
The following is Judge MILLS account of
his interview with the President, what he
said, and his impression of Mr.. LINCOLN:
The Governor asked of man in waiting if
the President had arrived. "Yes," was the
reply We entered a neat plainly furnished
room. marble table was in the centre.
Directly appeared from an adjoining apart
ment, a tall, gaunt looking figure, shoulders
inclined forward, his gait astride, rapid and
shutting, ample understandings with large
slippers, and Briarian arms, with a face radi-
ant with intelligence and humOr
The Governor addressed him: Mr.. Presi-
den, this is my friend and your friend, Mills
from Wisconsin"
al am glad to see my friends from Wiscon-
sin; they are the hearty friends of the
Union"
al could not leave the city, Mr.. President,
without hearing words of cheer from your
own lips. Upon you, as the representative of
the loyal people, depend, as we believe, the
existence of our government and the future
of America" This introduced political to-
pics.
"Mr. President" said Governor Randall,
= y. L I,ala ha,.
NIT for fortnight? it would re-invigorate
you"
AYE" said the President, "two or three
weeks would do me no good. l can not fly
from my thoughts-my solicitude for this
great country follows me wherever l go.
don't think it is personal vanity or ambition,
though am not free from these infirmities,
but cannot but feel that the veal or woe of
this great nation will be decided in Novem-
Der. There is no programme offered by any
wing of the democratic party but that must
result in the permanent destruction of the
Union"
"But, Mr.. President, General Mcclellan is
in favor of crushing out the rebellion by
force. He will be the Chicago candidate"
"Sir," said the President, "the slightest
knowledge OF Arithmetic will Prove to any
man that the rebel armies cannot be destroy
ed with democratic strategy. 1t would sacri-
fee all the white men of the north to do it.
There are now in the service of the United
States near 200, 900 able-bodied colored men,
most of them under arms, defending and
| acquiring Union territory. The democratic
strategy demands that these forces be dis
banded, and that the masters be conciliated
by restoring them to slavery. The black
/ men who now assist Union prisoners to escape,
/ they are to be converted into our enemies in
the vain hope of gaining the good will of
| their masters. We shall have to fight two
nations instead of one.
| "You cannot conciliate the South if you
/ guarantee to them ultimate success; and the
| experience of the present war proves their
success is inevitable if you fling the compul-
/ sorry labor of millions of black men into their
side of the scale. Will you give our enemies
| such military advantages as ensure success,
and then depend on cOaxing, hattery and con-
cession to get them back into the Union
| Abandon all the posts now garrisoned by
black men; take 100000 men from our side
and put them in the battle field, or corn field
against us, and we would be compelled to
abandon the war in three weeks.
| ave have to hold territory in inclement
and sickly places; where are the democrats
to do this ? 1t was a free fight, and the field
| was open to the war democrats to put down
this rebellion by fighting against both master
and slave, long before the present policy was
/ iuaugurated.
"There have been men base enough to
propose to me to return to slavery the black
warriors of Port Hudson and 0lustee, and
thus win the respect of the masters they
fought. Should do so, should deserve to
be damned in time and eternity. Come what
will will keep my faith with friend and foe.
Ny enemies pretend am now carrying on
this war for the sole purpose of abolition
So long as | am President, IL shall be carried
on for tie sole purpose Of restoring tie Union
But no human poorer can su6du6 Ibis rebellion
,citLom tie use Of tie emancipation policy, and
eUery other policy calculated to Uedke1. tie moral
and physical forces of tie rebellion.
Freedom has given US 100000 men raised
on southern soil. 1t will give us more yet.
Just so much it has subtracted from the ene-
nv, and instead of alternating the South,
| Gnere are NOV eyIuences OF fraternaI feel
| ing growing up between our men and the
rank and file of the rebel soldiers. Let my
enemies prove to the country that the de-
struction of slavery is not necessary to a res
toratiOn of the Union. l will abide the is
sue."
| saw that the President was not mere
joker, but man of deep convictions, of abid-
| ing faith in justice, truth and Providence
His voice was pleasant, his manner earnest
and emphatic As he warmed with his theme
his mind grew to the magnitude of his BODY
| felt was in the presence of the great,
| guiding intellect of his age, and that those
huge Atlantean shoulders we're fit to bear
the weight of mightiest monarchies." His
transparent honesty, republican simplicity,
his gushing sympathy for those who offered
their lives for their country, his utter forget
fulness of self in his concern for its welfare,
could not but inspire me with confidence that
he was Heavens instrument to conduct His
people through this sea of blood to a Canaan
OF peace and freedom. j. T. MILLS.
FIRST WISCONSIN CAyALRY.-This noble
regiment was at Gainesville, Ga, guarding
the line of railroad from Chattanooga to At
lanta, on the 22d ult. After the MoCooK
raid, in which the regiment suffered severely
in the loss of officers, it was ordered back
from the front to Gainesville, to rest and re-
cruit the men and horses, at which place
they were gladdened by the return from cap
tivity of their gallant Colonel, o. II. LA
GRANGE, than whom no officer is more de-
servedly popular with both officers and men.
In a letter written since rejoining the regi-
ment Col l.. says: " In reviewing the opera
tons of the summers campaign, while we are
called upon to mourn the loss of most valua-
BILE officers there Ia a fnolanobcI ,nIoo,,,..a =: