Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-09-29

duu " uO ANY lulIS Ill IcdoOu SOhS'SNN"N
with my sense OF duty. There is one
point, however, | can never surrender
that which was the main issue of the
Presidential canvass and decided at the
late election, concerning the extension
Of slavery in the Territories.
"AS to that matter, | replied, chow
ever important it may have heretofore
seemed to some persons, we can well
afford to remit il to the remote future
when there NAV be practical necessity
for its consideration, inasmuch as it
has dwindIed into utter insignificance
before that portcntous issue now so un-
expectedly before US.
'Unexpectedly, indeed, and por:en-
tous enough in all conscience! said he;
''1ut trust that matters are not as bad
as they appear.
THE PERIL OF THE HOUR
"Bad as they certainly are, Ireplied,
"they will be infinitely worse before
long if the utmost care be not taken 10
allay the present excitement and TO pre-
serve the existing status between the
sections until some such plan rs that OF
Mr. Crittenden's for general conven-
ton. can be carried into effect, which,
as the Peace Conference here has failed
TO secure a compromise, Is the ultimate
reliance left us tor that object. then
went on to say: "Mr Lincoln, it may
seem presumptuous in me to express my
opinions to You on these subjects SO
decidedly. But Ispeak frankly, because
/ feel deeply their vital Importance to
the whole country, and especially to the
people of the district which | represent,
which is a border district, stretching
along the Potomac from the Alleg ghcnies
to tidewater, and which, in the event OF
a civil war, will not only be the first to
suffer from It's effects but will feel them
first, last, and all the time, and in all
their intensity. | speak to you as a
Union man, from a Union county, OF a
Union district, Of Union State-a
State which has done more 10 make and
to maintain the Union than any of her
sister States have had it in their power
to do, and which now, from her known
conservatism, her acknowledged pres
tige in national politics, and her geo
graphical position, midway between the
angry sections, can do more than any
other State to preserve the peace and to
bring about,by her medlatorIal influence,
a satisfactory adjustment OF these fear
ful complications in spite of the opposl-
tion of those twin foes Of The Union
the tanatical faction of Aboilionists in
the North ana that of the no less fana-
tical secessionists per Sc i'll the South
provided only that little more time be
allowed her 10 continue her patriotic
efforts to these ends. You will, there
fore, | trust, not impute my earnestness
to presumption when | say to you, in
all sincerity, that the passage OF this
Force bill will paralyze the Unionists OF
Virginia and be the means of Precipita-
ting her into secession-a calamity
which, at this iuncture, will unqnestion-
ably involve the whole country IN civil
war.
After silence Of some seconds, dur
ing which Mr. Lincoln seemed 10 be
absorbed in thought, he presently look
ed up with a smle, and said: "Well,
III see what can be done about the bill
YOU speak of. think it can be stop
ped, and that | may promise you it will
be-
Thanking bin most cordially and
sincerely tor bis kindness in acceding to
INV request, ! then inquired if | might
announce from my place in the House
that he did not approve ofthe measure:
"By no means" said he, ''for that
would make trouble. The question
would at once be asked what right |
had 10 interfere with the Legislation of
this Congress. Whatever is TO be done
in the matter must be done quietly"
"But, as have promised two of my
colleagues" said |, ''to let them know
the result Of this interview, / hope you
will at least allow me to acquaint them,
confidentally, with the substance OF
your conversation" To this he assent
ed, and warmly thanking him again, I
got up to take leave; but. on his insist
ing that | should resume my seat, | re-
NAMED iu conversation with him some
fifteen minutes longer. As what subse-
quently passed between Us had no
special bearing on the object of my
visit, it is needless now to make any
further reference to it, except to say
that it served to deepen the impression
already made upon me by the interview
that Mr.. Lincoln was kind-hearted
man; that he was, at that time, willing
to allow the moderate men Of the South
a fair opportunity 10 make further ef-
forts ior settlement Of our Intestine
and internecine difficulties, and that be
was by no means disposed 10 interfere,
directly or indirectly, with the institu-
tions of slavery in any Of the States, or
to yield TO the clamorous demand OF
those blooly-minded extremists who
were then so very keen TO cry "havoc!
and let slip the dogs OF war" and after
ward SO exceedingly careful, with the
caution OF their kind, 10
keep out of harms way during the con-
tinuance of hostilities. Having con-
cluded my visit, l was about to return
to the capitol when, perceiVing that the
House flag was down "a recess having |
been ordered from 5 until 7 o'clock the
same EVENING", went at once to my
room (at Willard's, wher. / boarded