Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-03-24
E.-Pr. sia.n. Elllm OF. on tn. w.r.


Ex-Prt std.s. Fillmore n tn. Wnr.
The Northern papers bring the first expression o
opinion on the war that We have seen from Millarc
Fillmore Ar tie opening of the great Central Fair
at ST. James Han, Buffalo he is reported to have
spoken as follows: ...-. = 49,
Three years Of civil have desoated the fairest
portion OF our lard loaded the country with al enor
NOUS d. bt II at the sweat Of millions yet unborn must
De taxed 70 pay; arsyed brohr against brother and
father against in mortal couffict; delnged our
country with fraternal blood whtene8 our battle
fields with the bones OF the sau and dakened the sky
with the pail of mourning Yet these appalling calam
ftes-which as vet hav- touched our city more lightly
than any other in the land-have in posed upon us
new duties, which must be promptly and generous
iy discharged and bard us which must be patient
Iy and cheersay berne. g.. 7'~'-, -. ..5'- -
We. carnot, III our humble capacity control the
egtnts'of this desOlarng war We hear it's tbuuders
and mai the track Of desolaon, aud we must meet
StHry rs IN st We CAN but never despair OF the
public. 1t is no time to irfquite whether it
migh have be1n aV6iuefl at these who SEEK light on
t{lis sut,c read WashL gtOn's Farewell Addr S.
or tift now 10 citicee the conduct OF those who
eOruofit awarding praise here ard besOwng cenSure
ttere5 The irnpai lh historian will do this when the
tesie1s etgerdesef by he strife hive cooled and par
sah aetedEesl petty je.ionss, inahgnant envy, and
intriguing se4fs ambition shall be laid in the dust
ami II fs teped, barred IN oblivion. And much less
are WI cal I'd supGnt6 Jrt dict when Low this war
" lE1Sa fetitbase who ssls light the subject read
Gen. JaCksOn's Farewell Address. But let ia hope
Hiat an ali WiseEail mtrciful Providence will incline
the tsAarls OF the people, North and SUnh to peace
to las ing peace Iha Stored Union, ctmented by
IL aefndl affection, uid,r oar wetried and glorious
Constitutions: = -: S4.as%at+. ~t . l.. 49,. -
Nor IS ting the time or place to express, an opinion
10 the policy should be pursued reach so de-
sirab.e ahdgeRd But one thing is clear that much
must be forgiven, If not forgotten both Sides before
this Union ever be restored and therefore, it is to
be hoped that all unnecessary acts of cruelty wanon
destruction Of private property or Insult or insolerce
in tfumphhg over fallen foe should be avoided for
all such only fire the heart OF adversary with
resentment and revenge and thus prtract the war in
its horrors, and leave sting which will render
reunion more difficult, if not impossible. But it must
be apparent to all that the first step toward bringing
this; war to- close is to conquer the rebel army.
Any negotiations Tor peace before this is done would
prove abortIve and any protested clemency to those
I'D arms who 6eiy our power would be mOckery which
would be treated with ridicuIe and contempt. But
when we have conquered their armies and disposed OF
their eadtee, Their let as saow magnanimity and
generosity by winning back the deluded multitude who
have been eeduce6 or coefced INTO this rebellion by
xtenig to them every act of clemency and kindness
1t power and by restoring then to all their rights
nuder the constitution This conceive to be Chris
tian forgiveness and the best policy and the only one
which: can ever restore the Union. .~-'
~, ~. .r-.,s, r. Important Disclosure. .:.-.
:. .--.~,<- ss..." WASHINGTON, March s. 1864.
10 the Editor Of the Chronicle: p
In the New York Tribune of Monday, the 7th inst,
there appeared the following article :
An INTERVIEW BETWEEN GENERAL LEE AND GENERAL
n: ~ ca!.r..f MCCLELLAN.
A written communication was sent to the Secretary
of War On Saturday last by former member of the
Maryland Legislature and cousin OF the rebel Gene
raj Leg stating that dui.g the battle Of Antietam
Gen. Lee had his headquarters his house that on
be night after II battle be sent messenger into Our
Isnes to Gen McCellan requestRgan interview at his
that General Mcclellan, accompanied
by some OF his stad rode that night through the rebel
nts and had long n ervieW with General Lee, who
among other things informed Mcclellan that his army
vas crossing the Potomac Ihe writer has been sub
ptenaed before the Committee on the Ceuduct of the
War -, .E:5 .ia~a.:y'a -. 80 = = - =. .: -'
Z: wish to correctmany errors therein. l. am not
cousin of Gen. Robert Lee. 2: No interview could
have taken place between .he parties during the bat
tie of Antieam at my house. as live about ten miles
from that place. g. The interview eok place three
four days afterwards, and rather at the suggestion
of mutual friend than courted by either party 4.
At the time of the meeting Gen. Mcclellan alone,
aud Gen. Lee came through the lines of the u. States
A,,a ! ander my escort, l having received solemn
pledge of personal safety from Gen. Mcclellan for US
beth. g. Tie communication was not made by myself
The interview lasted three hours, during short
part of which time / was present. s. g.: f.. w.