Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-08-26

Id, bat his features we're good, especial
ly his eyes-though one Of them bore q
scar, apparently By some sharp instru-
ment He wore q suit of grsyish brown.
evidently of foreign manufacture, and
ss be rose saw that be was about Eve
feet 10 inches high, with a slight stoop
in the shoulders. His manners were
simple, easy, and quite fascinating, aud
be threw an indescribable charm into bis
v"iee AZ be extended his hand and said
soz
Il am glad to see you, gentlemen.
You ara very welcome to Richmopd."
And this was the man who vas Presi-
deut Of the United States under Frank
lin Pierce, aud who is now the heart,
soul, and brains of the Southern Confed-
erscy.
His manner put me entirely at nv
ease (ths Colonel would be at bis IL be
stood before Cesar. and replied
We thank you, Mr.. Davis Ii is not
often you meet men Of our elotheE and
sur principles in Richmond"
Net often, not so often ss ! could
Wish; and trust your coming may lead
to more frequent and q more friendly
intercourse between the North and the
South"
We sincerely hope it may"
Mr. Benjamin tells me you have
asked to see me, to -
And he pansed, as If desiring we
should finish the sentence. The Coloueg
replied
Yes, sir. We have asked this inter
view in the hope that you may suggest
some way by which this war can be
stopped. Oar paople want peace your
people do. and your Congress has re-
Gently said that you do. We have come
10 ask how it can be brought about
In . very simple way. Withdraw
your armies from our territory, aud
peace will come OF itself We do not
seek TO subjugaie you. We are not
waginK an Offensive var except so far
as il is offensive dsfeusive-that is, so
far as We are forced to invade you 70
prevent your ihvadinEnG Ms Let as alone
and peace will come al once
But we cannot let you alone so long
as you repudiate the Union. That is
the one thing the Norshern people will
not surrender
al know You would deny to US vha,
you exact for yoarsslves--the right Of
selfgoVerumspt"
No, Sir" remarked, 1--WE would
deny you no natural right But We
think union essential to peace and, Mr.
Davis. could two peoples, With the same
language. separated only By al inagin.
arr line, live AZ peace with each osher9
Would not disputes constantly arise and
cause almost constant war between
thsm7"
" Undoub,sdly-with this generation.
You have sown such bitterness at the
Soath, you have put such an ocean Of
blood betgsen the two sections, that
despair OF any harmony in my time.
Our children may forget this war, but
~e cannot"
think the bitterness you speak o..
Sir, said the Colonel, does noa re ally
exist We must talk here az friends
our soldiers meet aud frassrnize With
Zach other; aud fell sure that If the
Union we're restored . more friendly
lesl,ng would arise bst~een ss than has
ever existed The war has made u.
know and reapeet each o;h-r better than
before This is the visw Of very many
Southers men I have bad IL from
many Of them--your leading citizens
They are mistaken, replied Mr.
Davis They do not und .rsiand
southern sentiment How can We feel
anything bat bitterness toward men who
deny rs our rightsf II you enter nv
home and drive me out Of il, an | not
your natural enemy2"
"Yoa put the case too strongly. Bat
we cannot hght for ever; the war must
eud a, some time; we must finally sgree
upon something; eau we not agree now,
and stop this inghtfal carnager We are
both Christian men. Mr. Davis Can
you, as Christian man, leave uniried
any means that may lead 70 peace"
"So. cannot desire peace as
much as you do. deplore bloodshed
as much as you do but feel that not
one drop Of the blood shed in this war is
on my hAads; can look up to my God
aud say this tried all in my power to
avert this war / saw it coming, and for
twelve years worked night and day to
prevent It, but ! could not The North
was mad aud blind: IL would not let US
govern ourselves, and 50 the war came,
and nov it must 20 on till the last man Of
this generation falls in bis tracks, and
his children seize his musket and fight
bis battles, unless y5a acknowledge our
right 70 self-government We are no,
fighting for slavery. We are fighting
for ndependenee-snd that OF extermi.
nation we will have. Ell
And there are At least four and q
half millions of as left; so ron see you
have work before you, said Mr.. BeEja
min. With decided sneer
I'VE have no wish to exterminste you,
answered the Colonel Il believe whAl
have said-thas there is no biiterHeE
between the Northern and Southern peo
pie. The North, know, loves the South
When peace comes it will pour none,
and means into your hands to repair Ehl
waste caused By the war; and It woull
now welcome you back and forgive 70,
all the loss and bloodshed you haV
caused. But we must crush your srmie
and exterminate your Government An
is net that already nearly dous9 Yo
are wholly without money and at the eu
I Of yoar resources Grant has shut 70
up in Richmond, Sherman is before Al
: lsnts. Had you not, then, better Aeeer
i honorable terms while you can retail
: your prestige and save the pride Of th
Southern people
l MR. DAVIS on TIE coSYEpEsArr PROSPECT
Mr.. Davis smiled
r al respect your earnestness, Coloue
b bat you do not seem to understand ii
n situation We are not exactly shat 4
j. in Richmond II your papers tell II
n truth it is your capital tha, Is IN DANCE
II ret ours. Some weeks ago Grant eros
ed the Rapilsn to whip Lee and tai
- Richmond. Lee drove him in the 6ri
e battle, aud then Grant executed Wit
Z your people cali brilliant flank NOV
ie nens, and fought Lee again. Lee dro,
sr him 8 second time, and then Grant mao
- another tank movement, and so til.
Ie kept on-Lee whipping and Grant fan
- Z Gw.rk wha~a - =