Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-08-25

that II be done by the people am not statesman or
politician, and do not know just how such plan could
be carried outs but you get the dea-that the people
shall decide the question"
s.Thst the majority shall decide it, you mean We So
coded TO rid ourselves of the rule of the majority and this
But the majority must rule finally, either with bullets
or ballots" @r
81 am not so sure of that Neither current events nor
The contrary, think is true. Why. sir, the who
should 20 before the Southern people with such propo
ston with any proposition which Implied that the North
to have voice determining the domestic relations
of the South could not live here day be would BIO
hanged to the first tree without judge or jury.
"Allow to doubt that. think it more likely he
would be hanged if he let the Southern people know the
msjority couldn't rule" replied, smiling.
have fear of that" rejoned Mr. Davis also smiling
most good humoredly give you leave TO proclaim II
from every h,usetOp in the south"
But, seriously, sir. You lot the majority rule In q
single State why not lot it rule in the whole country 7"
Because the States independent and sovereign.
The country is not 1t only confederation OF States;
or rather it wasi it Is now two considerations"
Then we are not a peOple-we are only political
partnership"
That is ALL"
"Your very name, sir, United States, mpes that "
said Mr. Benjamin But toll me, the terms you have
named-emancpatoB confscation, and universal am
Desy-tbe terms which Mr. Lincoln authorized you to
Offer 81"
you any terms But think both he and the Northern
people, for the sake Of peace would assent to some such
conditions"
"They are very generous" replied Mr. Davis for the
first tms during the interview showing some angry feel
ing. But amnesty, sir belongs to mnals We have
committed Conscaton 10 Of no account, unless
you can enforce it, And msncpation You have already
emancpated nearly two millions OF our slavesand you
will take care Of them. you may emancpate the rest
bad few when the war began. / of some use to
them they of any to me- Against their will
negro the Confederacy But we will be free We will
govern ourselves We will do it if have TO sec every
Southern plantation sacked and every Southern city in
flames I"
see, Mr.. Davis it is useless to continue this
cation" replied and you will pardon US if We have
seemed to press views with too much pertinacty.
We love the old ag and that must be apology for in
"You have not ntruded upon me-" he replied, resum
ing his usual manner glad to have met you both
once loved the old nag well you do would have
died for it; but 1t is to only the emblem Of OPP
preston"
81 hope the day may never come, Mr. Davis, when ]
say that" said the Colonel.
CLOSE OF THE INTERVIEW
half hours conversation other opos-no of public
nterest-eusued, and then to Co. As we did so,
the rebel President gave me his hand and bidding
kindly goodbye expressed the hope of seeing again
Richmond in happier tmes-whsn peace should have
turned but with the Colonel his parting particular
cordial Taking his haLd n both of his he to him
Colonel, respect your character and motives ard
wish you we-I wish you every good can consistently
with the interests of the Confedeacy The quiet sta gh
forward bearing and magnificent moral courage of
fighting parson" had evidently impressed Mr.. Davis very
favorably,
As we were leaving the room he added: Say to Mr.
Lincoln from that shall at any time be pleased to
ceve proposals for peace the basis of independence
1t vii, be useless to approach me With any other"
When we went out Mr.. Benjamin called Judge Ould
who had been waiting during the whole ntervew-twG
houn-at the other end Of the hail. and passed down
the stairway together AS put my within That O.
the Judge, he said to me:
"Weil, what il the RESULT"
"No' hirg but war-war to the knife"
"Ephram is joined to his idols-et him alone" added
the Colonel, solemnly.