The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-10

Soreotten that fair eirl in Savannah who was made
to walk, at the point Of the bayonet for hours UNI
der the Union flag you
time that yeu should cease to look at these things
as II they we're far in the dim distance. It Is time
for you to do your first laSors over again, and to
turn your smiles only upon tho brave and loyal. II
I could. in the future, see my countrywomen doing
this should receive It as prophetic vision, as
surine me Of tho freedom and happiness Of my coun.
In the words Of the prayer Of the patriot, ear
nestly pray-"Esto perpofa0."
SPEECH OF HON. J. P. BENJAMIN.
Hon. j. P. BENJAMIN, Secretary of
State of the Confederate States, was an
nounced as the next speaker. He was
greeted with rousing cheers, and spoke,
in substance, as follows:
The number Of persons composing this meeting,
the cheers with which hear you greet every exc
preston Of patriotic sentiment, shows the defiance
With which your breasts are swelling. and the hot
flush which all feel at the bare thought OF the igno-
n1fny which an arrogant Government has proposed
to YOU, that you should bend the knee, bow the
neck, and meekly submit to the con9uerors yoke;
and all give assurance that the fire of freedom burns
unouenchably in your souls. How different from
one short week ago. It seems an age, so magic has
bean the change. Then, dependency and hope de-
OOOTeSSeO
q1ssulous, and asking if it were true that no ho-
norable peace were attainabe except by continued
warfare. Then, it was said 1t was our
Isrve'se indisposiion to negotiate t 1'Si, leo
fusion went far that it penetrated the le-
gslative halls, and threatened disruption OF the
harmony of our councils. Now, cheerful voices are
heard all around, and hope beams on every coYnte-
nance. Now the resolute and war-worn soldier Is
nerved anew. Now, the Cheering and purifying in
auence of our glorious women sheds its light over
our cause, and still leads US on in the path OF duty
and honor What is the cause CT this striking
change in the aspect Of our affairs Have We found
lilies in foreign lands, such came to our fathers
in the hour Of their sores need to stretch their arm
to our assistance. Has any European State come to
our aid in the time Of our extremity Not so; but
Just the reverse. Our gallant Bcauregard Is still
contending against Sherman, and heard men this
morning specializing on the chances Of his drawing
ton. Gloriods Charleston, which, for over twenty
months, has withs.ood fire such as has never
been rained on devOted city. Our enemies are still
arraved against us. There is no voice from across
is the cause Of this change? It is the knowledge
which has come home to the understanding and the
hearts of the people. We now know, in the core Of
hearts, that this people must conquer its fiee-
dom or die. Cheers, No Southern man ever
dreamed Of such arrogant propositions as were
brought from Fortress Monroe. Thank God, we
know it now. The people know, as one man. the
path which they must tread or perish.
Our commissioners, sent to confer with the enemy,
went with piece OF blank paper, filed with one
word written by our President Independence
What were they told! Independenessl You lou
gaudy epaulettes from the shoulders OF your 9TH
GERS; strip the uniforms from those who man the
trenches; bring your leaders here, and you know
me am the Inerciful Lincoln The issue Is thus
before us; it is to livefree or perish.
1t is due to you to know how this peace commits
sion came to be sent and the facts which preceded
their going, The Emperor Lincoln sent US this
Of IF last tvO he hnf
the commissioners were sent. Mr.. Benjamin here
read from Lincolns message relative to the Sutity
of any attempt at negotiation with the insurgen
leader; that lie had left no room for doubt o.
hope| Six weeks afterwards continued Mr.. Ben
jamin) there came q man from Washington wht
was known to be the intimate friend OF Lincoln ant
an adviser in his councils. He had confidential
interview with cur President, the nature OF which
am aware of, but am not at liberty to Disclose
When he left, he took with him letter from the
President, in these words:
"Sir: 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
would send commissioners to confer upon mea.
that would restore peace to the tTo countries
believed (said Mr.. Benjamin) that Blair was
Lincoln's messenger. Had he casually denied i,
once, should have believed him; but when he re-
peated it five six times, did not believe him.
What vas the answer from Lincoln to Blair! 'As
you have shown me the note of Mr.. Davis, you may
say to him that will see any messenger nformal
sent to confer upon measures to to ouI
one country"
Under these circumstances, our friends went for
ward for conference. Each was furnished with a
copy Of the letter written by Mr.. Lincoln and at
the bottom was written. by our President, " You
will 90 forward and confer with the enemy upon
means to restore peace to the t'ro countries."
That was all, except the confidential interview OF
Blair with the President, which cannot relate in
the presence of so many people. I believe, con-
trary to the honorable gentleman who has preceded
me, that when Blair came to Richmond there was
an opportunity for suspending fighting and blood
shed, in which time measures might be taken for
the restoration Of peace; but none Of u.s. for mo-
ment, dreamed OF reconstruction. Is it wonderful
that our President, whose only defect is that he is
too tender-hearted should have yielded to the temp
tation Of trying 70 stop the boodshed Of his cou-
trymen, Of which every drop seemed to come from
s Of
which We we're Eot-and what better could We do
than send him to attempt to make a favorable i'm
preston upon the enemy! We knew its failure
would be the signal for grand uprising Of the peo-
pie, which was the only element necessary to sue
cess We hear it now in the improved tone Of public
sentiment.
What i. our present duty. We want means
Are they in the country If so. they belong to the
country, and not to the man who chances to hold
them now They belong either to the Yankees or
to the Confederate States would take every bale
Of cotton in the land have few bales left in my
distant Southern home, which is free gift to my
country. But why speak Of myself! I speak Of my
noble State Of Louisiana. Let me point You back
to 1882 when the city Of New Orleans fell Under the
domination Of the enemy. AS Farragut'S fleet as
cended the river, and rounded the crescent ap-
preaching the city, what greeted his eyes on that
bright and balmy Slring day. The air was
murky with smoke-every thing was lined with
cotton burning upon the evee. The citizens did not
ask to whom it belonged; the Yankees wanted il.
and they should no: have it. But fewwecks ago,
with full time for the citizens to prepare in advance
Sherman penetrated Savannah, and what was pre-
scented there! With thousand plausible excuses
belief that the Yankees would give them something
for it. This all now goes to the Yankees who goat.
ingly sad-not that We have got Savannah, but
that tive have got eighteen million dollars
worth Of cotton" And this, while on the
banks Of the Mississippi, and the waters
bordering on my State, three hundred thou
sand bales Of cotton were sacrificed to the cause
/ nov ask, has any man the right to hold a bale
Of cotton from his oountry' MOL say the same