The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-10-18
George D. Prentioe's Interview with jeff
Davis Danger Of Secession at the
North A Timely Warning.

Davis Danger Of Secession at the
North A Timely Warning.
The Louisville Journalof the 5th
inst. says: In the course of an inter-
view that we had,with Jefferson Davis
in January, 1865, the subject of the
terms of peace was introduced. Mr..
Davis asked us what was the chief OBJ
lection of the North to the recognition
of Southern independence. We an
swcred that the North knew perfactly
well, as unquestionably he did, that
if she would lay down her arms and
consent to the division of the Union
into two confSderacies, she herself
would very soon be dissolved; that
State after State-States singly and
States combinedly--would secede and
the whole North be split up into petty
powers, or no powers, all of them con-
temptible in the eyes of mankind and
not one ofthem willing TO contribute
to the payment of the national debt.
Mr.. Davis replied, with his character
istic calmness, that this was certainly
true, but that the same thing would
happen, and probably happen all the
sooner, if the North should prosecute
the war. We thought at the time
that Mr.. Davis was greatly mistaken,
and told him SO. We still trust that
we were correct in our estimate of the
character of his opinion, but just now
we can indulge no over confidence that
we were. The North continued to
prosecute the war, and the South, after
the bravest and most desperate resist
anco known in wars annals, was' con-
quered. Bit fos ce::es the North's
trials. Now WE are to sre the test of
her internal strength. If ont Of the
dreadful war between the North aud
Soutl, a northern civil war arises; if
northern armies march against each
other. vengeance before them, and blood
and death aud desert behind, many
Northern States will very soon weary
aud sicken Of the horrid work, and will
probably adopt secession as the surest
aud quickest REMEDY, fully relying upon
the mighty troubles and perils Of the
federal government as a perfect security
against Coercion. Most likely the north.
wester nStates will 60 off first. repudia.
ting, Of course, their proportion of the
public debt, and thus piling higher the
monstrous financial burden upon the
shoulders of the remaining States. These
will have neither the will nor the ability
to bear up. under the crushing weight,
and so others will sccede, and then 9th.
ers, till the whole north shall be divided
up into such poor, little non.debt.paying,
| feeble, mock nationalities, as a citizen of
one of the Mexican States, or one of the
South American republics, or one of the
petty, miserable German principalities
might look upon with contempt and
scoth. JEFF. Davis's declaration to us as
to the consequences of the war to pthe
North. if prosecuted, will be amply vim.
diGated, ard whatever resentments. if
any, lie cherishes against the North will
be abundantly satisfied. We tell the
northern fanatics--as lover Of our
Whole country we solemnly tell them
--7-tlfat unless madness has seized upon
their hearts and brains, they will not
insist on pushing The dissensions be.
tween the President and Congress to
the Sighting point. They may rest as.
sured that if the fight comes, it will be-
to them such a one as they have no ac-
Count of in either history or tradition.
They win find it an infinitely different
thing from the war of tho rebellion,
dreadful as that was throughout all its
annals. They wilt find themselves q
fdvided people, divided almost equally,
divided and mutually hostile whilst the
whilst population fthe South will be a.
unit, &ble to strike for their friends or
stand afar from the FASH the crack and
the roar Of war, as may seem best to
them, The thick clouI now enveloping
| the South may be partially lifted; but
night and storm sufchafged with bloody
RAIN will close over tho North.
Il -------s S-s- e------1l---I ~. ei
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