Omaha daily bee., 1883-04-26

time we cress the Potomac II will be
with muskets on our shoulders +" The
democrats failed TO unite at B,tlmore,
but l will not trench on politics to say
more than such was the fact, but I
may say that q committee of fifteen
from the Breckenridge wing was
chosen to meet abow Christmss at
Washington to take measures for
future organization. l was one Of
that committee, and when I went to
Washington I found the delegates
from South Oarolins bringing the
ordinances Of secession. conyersed
with them and I conversed with others
Of that committee, and I found that
they had no intention of doing any-
thing but to found an empire the cor.
ner stone Of which was to be slavery,
and to get the roof from the United
States. l told them that bloody, ter.
rible war would be .he result, but II Ia
only fair to those gentlemen 70 say
right here that they did not believe
there would be any contest; and they
honestly did not think so, because
they were of opinion that the north
would not fight. My answer to them
was, 1.-THE north will fight, and don't
you make any mistake about that"
"The north will fight" One Texas
gentleman asked, "Well, who will
figh,f His blood got up about that
time. l replied, "1ll fight for my
side" The answer was, "There will
be plenty of men to take bare Of you"
I said, II have argued and voted for
union for twenty years, and, God
helping me, ! will fight q year or two
IL necessary for the same thing"
Great cheeripg.)
That conversation and that deter
minatlon, with a single other clrcum.
stance, YER very important to the
Sixth Regiment and to the militia OF
Massachusetts. After l had concluded
to return home, 1 called upon Jeffer.
son Davis, then Senator from Missis.
slppi. l had previously travelled with
him when he was or u visit to New
England, aud l believed HIM then to
be q firm Union man. l sent a note
to the Senate Chamber, saying
should like to soc him, and / have the
note In my possession now which con,
tanned his reply, Ia which he says:
"CAll aud take tea with me this even
ing. I shall be glad to see you
went, and l said to him: "Can not you
stem this torrent; can not you stop
this terrible catastrophe which Ii
breaking on us2 What course are you
going to take2" He stayed to think
for q time, and then answered, 81
shall 60 with my side" He continued
and said: "You are q democrat; what
course will you takei" I re-
piled, II shall 60 with my side
and I did-"aud my side will
90 with me-" There was nc
anger. but more Of sorrow between
US, and, while tears stood In his eyes,
Mr.. Davis said, It's It possible thai
next time We meet we shall meet q
enemies2' I sobbed In my reply,
"ThNt depends on you" Now, sir,
you know the Of that interview
to which you have alluded, when
went TO SOVernor Andrew Win you,
and I told him that the Massachusetts
militia must be equipped. At that
I thought we should be required &
march to the capital, for I thought
there would be an outbreak on the In
a%uguration Of the president. I though
1t coming In an inclement season o
the year, and I knew that we had no
any o%vercoats. I told Governor An.
drew what I have told you now, ant
I convinced him that there was dan
ger, on which he obtained an appro
priation of $25, COO for two Thousand
o%vercoats, and that they were not OBJ
tained one hour too soon was shown
and that was the reason the Eight
regiment was not with you In Bait
more.