Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1864-09-08
BRowNvIIIE, NEBRASKA, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 8, 1864

current events, OF history show that The
majority rules, or ever did rule. The
contrary, think is true. Why, sir, the
man who would go before the people with
such a ProPosiuon--with any proposition
that inlimated that the North was 10 have
any voice in determining the domestic
relations Of the South-could not live
here a day. lie would be hunged 10 lhe
first tree without Judge or jury.''
"Anow me to doubt that. I think it
more likely he would be hanged i be let
the Southern people know that the ma
jority could mol rule" Ireplied smiling.
Il have no fear Of thai, rejoined bEr.
Davis, also smiling NEST good-humorediy.
Il give you leave 10 proclaim ii from
every house-top in the South"
"But, seriously, sir, you let the major
ity rule in a single State, why not let
it rule all over tho ceunlry2"
Because the States are independent
snd sovreign. The country is not, Il is
only confederation of States, OF rather
it was; it is now TWO considerations.
Then we are not a people, we are
only political partnership"
That's all.
Your very name. sir, United States,
implids that" said Mr.. Benjamin. But
are the terms you have named-eman-
cipation, no corfscation and universal am
nesty-the terms which Mr. Lincoln au-
thorized you to offer us7"
mo, sir, MIR. Lincoln did rot author
ize me TO offer you any terms. But l
think both he, and the Northern people,
for the sake of peace, would assent to
some such terms"
''They are very generous, said Mr..
Davi2, for the first time during the inter-
view showing some angry feeling. But
amnesty, sir, applies TO criminals. We
have committed no crime. Confsca,ion
is of no account unless you can enforce
it, And emancipation! You have al
ready emancipated nearly two millions
of our slaves, and if you take care Of
them you may emancipaIe the rest l
had a few when the war begun. / was
of some use TO them; they never were to
me. Against their will. you emanci-
paled them, and you may emancipate
every negro in the confederaey, but we
will be free! We will govern ourselves.
We viii do it if we have to see every
Southern plantation sacked, and every
Southern city in flames"
II see, BIr Davis; it IS useless to con-
tinue this conversation" l replied; and
you will pardon US if we have seeiaed 10
press cur views with too much perlinac.
lty. We love the old flag, and that
must be our apology for intruding upon
you at ALL"
"You have not intruded upon me,
he replied, resuming his usual manner.
Il am glad to have met you both.
once loved that old flag as well as you
do; I would have died for ii; but now it is
to me only the emblem Of oppression"
Il hope the day. may never come, 1Ir.
DAVIS, when 1 say thsI," said the Colo
mel.
a LaIf.hour's conversation on ether
topics, not of public interest, ensued, and
then we rose to go. As we did so the
Rebel Presiden, gave me his hand, and
bidding me a kindly goodbye, expressed
the hope OF seeing me again in Rich
mond in happier times, when peace
should have returned: :: but with the Col
Ouel his parting was particularly cordial
Taking his hand in both OF his ,he said
to him:
Colonel, l respect your character and
your motives, and l wish you we'll:
wish you ever good l can wish you con-
slsten,ly with the interests Of the Con.
federacy"
The quiet, straightforward bearing
and m. gnif ent moral courage of our
"fgh, ng p rson" had evidently impress
ed 8ir. d Wis very favorably.
As we were leaving The room he ad-
ded:
"Say to Mr. Lincoln, from me, that
shall at any time be pleased to receive
proposals for peace on the basis Of our
independence. 1t will be useless TO aP-
proach me with any other"
When we went out Nr. Benjamin call
ed Judge Ould, who had been wailirg
during the whole interview, two hours
at the other end of the hail, and we pass
ed down the stairway together As
put my arm within that Of Judge, he
said to me,
"Well, what is the result 2"
Nothing but war; war to The knife ,
"Ephraim is joined his idols; let him
alone;" added the Colonel, ssolemnly.
New York, Sept. 3. Heralds edito-
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