The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-02-21
THIRTEENTH yoLUME---SUMBER sss.

they have encountered sur sun aud our climate,
and myiads have died and disappeared fiom the
earth. [Cries of 'Thsfs so;" Served them right
Their armies now, after all the reinforcements OF
successive drafts, have dwinded away until to-day
they are nowhere able 10 make head against the
armies of the South.
In conclusion, Mr. Gilmer addressed himself to
the ladies, aad paid them handsome eulogy upon
the power of their charms and exhortations in nerv
ing our soldiers to deeds Of heroism, aud hoped
they would neglect no opportunity 20 exert their
influence in exciting and maintaining amongst our
men the determination 10 be free or 20 die in the
struggle.
SPEECH OF HON. j. p BENJAMIN.
Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of State of the
Confederate States, spoke as fOlloWs at the same
meeting, in regard to the late peace conference aud
how it originated:
"It is due to you to know how this peace COM
mission came to be sent, and the facts which pre-
ceded their going. The Emperor Lincoln sent Us
this message at the close of last year, two months
before the commissioners wese sent. (Mr Ben
jamiu here read from Lincoln's message, relative
to the futility Of any attempt at negotiation with
the 'insurgent leaders; that he bad left room
for douot hope.) Six weeks afterwards (eon-
tinued Mr. Benjamin) there came man from
Washington who was known to be the intimate
friend of Lincoln and an adviser in his councils.
He had q confidential interview with our Presf-
dent the nature Of which ! am aware OF, but am
not at liberty to disclose. When he left, he took
with him letter from President Davis, in these
words:
"Sir I am ready to confer for peace at any
time; and, notwithstanding the refusal of previous
offers If | had any assurance that they would be
received, I would send commissioners to confer
npo AZ IN
the tp0 countries"
believe (said Mr. Beujamiu) that Blair was
Lincoln's messenger. Had he casually denied it
once, should have believed him; but when he
repeated it FIVE six times, did not believe him,
What was the answer from Lincoln to Blair 7 "As
you have shown me the note Of Mr. Davis, you may
say to him that will see any messenger infor-
maly sent to confer upon measures to restore peace
to country"
Under these circumstances, our friends went
forward for conference. Each was furnished With
a copy ofa letter written by Mr. Lincoln, aud at
the bottom was written, by our President, "You
will go forward and confer with the enemy upon
means to restore peace to the t,co countriei."
That was all, except the confidential interview
of Blair with the President, which caunot relate
10 the presence of 90 many people. believed
that when Blair came TO Richmond there
was an opportunity for suspendng fighting
and bloodshed, 10 which time measures might bo
taken for the restoration of peace; but nene Of u.s.
for moment, dreamed Of reconstruction. Is il
wonderful that our President whose only defect in
that he is too hearted, should have yielded
to the temptation Of trying to stop the bloodshed
of his countrymen, of which every drop seemed to
come from his own hearth (Applause Tho
Vice-President was confident Of the feasibility Of
his own theory--which We were not--and what
better coulG We do than send him to attempt TO
n. l. IL.
knew its failure would be the signal for grand
uprising of the people, which was the only element
necessary to success. We hear it now in the i'm
proved tone Of public sentiment"