Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1867-10-23

men. The only tQll Generals VINO vet
attended him were Bragg, his military
adviser" and l}reckinudge, lately Secre-
tary Of War. There were FIVE BRIGADE
commanders present at the conference.
Iothls small but important audience Mr..
DAVIS addressed himself with all the
/ powers OF his wonderful and subtitle in
tellect The old. imperious look was yet
IN his worn face +; the eye, transtix4d with
neuralgia pain, wiki It's deep recess OF
light, shone steady and defiant; the thin
vIsage was Illuminated by the active mind
and shOne with the animated discourse
He spoke In the even, silvery tones Of hia
| accustomed eloquence one Of the grea..
est orators OF modern times. excelling In
the powers Of statement or narration in
genlous even to sophistry, joining a VIM
nlng and persuasive manner to words
culled flom the choicest resources of Ian
guage; he now tried all his powers IN this
critical opportunity He declared that
the country was only suffering from vio-
lent surprises and an exaggeratei alarm
its resolution would soon be erect again
the present condition was that Of panic,
and patriotism would soon be aroused
when it heard the commanding and reas
suring tones Of authority. He insisted
that the war was not hopeless. The ar
mics could be reassembled, and there
would be new calls for enlistm nts and
new incentives to the country's service.
He said that even the few hundred men
he yet counted around him were enough
to prolong the war until the panic had
passed away, and they would then be
nucleus for thousands more. He urged
his officers to accept his views, and amin
ate their men to stand to the good cause,
whose honor they had SO long maintained,
and whose last hopes they now carried on
their bayonets.
His auditors were silent At length
they spoke, one by one, each brigade COM
mander stating the condition and temper
OF his men, and declaring his views Of
the situation 1t was d plain, unanimous
judgment: The war could not succeed
and should not be prolonged; they could
not ask their men to struggle against a
fate which was inevitable and forfeit ali
hopes of restoration to their homes and
friends but they would insist that their
honor was involved in securing The ESQ., pc
of Mr. Davis, and for the accomplish {.
menr Of this object they would risk battle
aud put ofsubmission to the last moment.
"No, no - exclaimed the unhappy
chief, in passionate accents, Il will hear
of no plan which has for It's object only
my safety" Then speaking slowly and
bitterl y, with deep and fearful change
settling on his countenanee, he said cali
nope is gone. Alas, that [ should see
the day when all the friends Of the South
are prepared to consent to her degrade
tion." He faltered, and sat down in ST.
lence; every one in the room respected
him too much 20 reply.
Presently, without even gesture Of
courteous retirement, without any ae-
acknowledgement Of the company whatever,
he rose to leave the room and it was
that he had lost his erect car
rlage and defiant port A weight of years
appeared to have suddenly fallen on the
stricken sufferer. Yhe eyes were uneasy
in the pale, pinebed face aud so uuoeT-
tain and totterlng was his step that Gen
Breckenridge moved to his side, and, Civ
ng him his arm, supported him from tho
room. Not word was spoken
1t is true and delicate philosopher.
who, exploring scene of despair, says
The sentiment that attends the suddeu
,evelation that all IS lost is silently gath
cred up into the heart. 1t is too deep
or gestures or for words The voice per-
shes, the gestures are frozen, and the
spirit of man flies back upon its own CEN
Ie."