The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-08-30
Preparation for the Defence of Davis.

IL appears that q man named Robert u.
Livingston, from Mobile, Alabama, has
been appointed an agent 10 proceed TO En-
gland 10 raise funds for the defence of Da-
Wis, taking New York in his route and con-
ferring with Godfrey Gunther and others as
10 the course he should pursue, aud that
Livingston held an interview with Gunther
al No. 9 Broad Street, New York, On the
3lst day Of July. Robert Brown, former
state Librarian, furnishes a report Of the
meeting - the New York Tribune IN which
be says Carlos Butteriield, O'Sullivan form
erly editor Of the Democratic Review, and j
Mr.. Cutler were present. To provide for
the defence Of Davis a committee consisting
OF Gunther, Buttertield, Martin Douglass
and Cheney was raised. Mr.. Brown says
they espOused the cause Of Davis warmly
and Justified secession. insisting that ths
trial OF Jeif. Davis would be a more lmpor-
tant trial than had ever taken place-there
was sIothIng in the worlds history that
would compare with IL; the celebrated trial
OF Warren Hastings by It's side would sink
into insignlfcauce Ii was mOmcntOu-, not
merely Tor LIE sake OF Mr. Davis, but on ac-
count Of tie great principles involved. The
friends al liberty throughout the world
were on trial. The great Issue involved
was the right Of secession. and that would
De established before the world They went
on 10 show that a State could not commit
treason, that tie South was right, clearly
right, and they looked forward 10 this trial
a. the opportunity tOdemonstrate this truth
in such manner that 10 would be uuiver-
sally admitted Indeed. the question was
go clear that they wondered there could be
any debate upon IL Mr Cutler announced
the Declaration Of Independence 10 be tie
niagna chdrta OF human liberty, anl 10
prove the right Of secession quoted The
words: 'GOyernmSnts are instituted among
men deriving their just powers from the
consent OF the governed; that wherever
any form OF government becomes destruc-
tive OF these ends (lite, liberty and tho pur-
suit OF happiueSs) it is the right OF the peO-
pie 10 alter or abolish II, and institute new
government, laying It's foundations Oh such
principles, and organizing its powers IL
such form, is 10 them shall seem most like
ly 10 eii3cL their safety and happiness.
Another said That Our Own state OF New
York never would have come INTO tho Tn
ION unless tile right had been secured To
her 10 secceue when she thought proper
that this appeared on the minutes Of the
convention. Another remarked that even
in Massachusetts, old Massachusetts, an Of
hcer elect on taking the oath OF Office swOre
paramount allegiance 10 his own state.
Mr.. Robert NJ Livingston, OF Mobile, Ala
bama, then spoke, | think for The first time
saying that if the question were asked, how
few gentlemen could say that they had read
the Constitutions OF the several States. but
he had read them, and found in several con-
stitutiOns OF the free states the right TO Sc
cede clearly eXpTessed-nOt an implied
right, but q right given IN unmlstakabie
terms. This would be one of the strong
points 10 be made on the trial. Through
out the conversation every little While
would come up the lear that Davis would
not be suffered 10 come upon trial, but that
he would be allowed TO die in a dungeon.
The assertion was reiterated that if the trl-
al could be brought on it would be great
Inlng Tor the south. IL wOuiu reNUIGslUn-
re public opinion. On this subject Mr.
Livingston, IN a burst Of enthusiasm, and
with great earnestnesa, declared that, .' IN
twenty five years the man that would
assert that the South were wrong wOnld be
lOOkel upon Is 4 madman ana 4 fool. -
This he repeated with qualification: 1t
NAV take lifly years but that great change
viii take place.
L.
Alabama, would vote at the next election
for members Of Congress. He replied, Vote
solid They will send an entire delegation
Of the right Southern stamp 10 Congress
In aStrain OF glowing enthusiasm the speak
er touched on Southern chivalry-their val
or and endurance-decarein that g. 500
noble, liOu-hearted SOutherners kept at bay
for months an army OF 10, 600 Northern
troops: and Mobile only capiLulated wheI
her defenders were worn out and exhaust
ed. He then spoke OF THE noble-hearteC
women of the South" Of the scOrn and con
tempt with which they looked upon North
ern Oflicers-that they would not suite
them 10 approach them-at the same tim'
taking care 10 commit no act that woul,
render them liable TO arrest. Mr. l.. con
| tinued in this strain for some time, declar
| ing that the universal feeling AT the SOuJl
was that "nO id Yankee should eve
have fOOthOld there Mr.. l.. eXplaine'
! that he quoted 4 common expression at tn
| SOuth-he was not 4 swearing man. Rever
| ting to the more direct object Of the NEE
ting. be said: Gentlemen, you will want
great deal Of money. l am on my way {
England 10 raise funds. | can promise yo
with confidence that | can furnish YOU Wit
any amount for this great work. 1t mus
20 on.
1t is evident, therefore, that the defenc
of Davis is expected 10 be the occasion c
laying the foundation Of q reunion OF IN
democratic party north with the late rebe
South. Charles O'Conner is TO be the lsaC
ing counsel.