The Washington herald., 1914-07-16

Oh tHe interview, Win lron-gray haif
and beard. and a clear. gray eye. full
OF life and vigor. He had a broad
massive forehead. and a mouth and
chin denoting great energy and
strength of will. His face was emac-
lated and much wrinkled. but his fea-
lures were good. especially his eyes
though one of them bore a scar, evil
IDENTIFY made by some sharp instrument.
He wore a suit OF Erayish brown. evil
IDENTIFY Of foreign manufacture. and. as
he rose, I saw that he was about > feet
10 inches high. with a slight stoop in
his shoulders. His manner was simple.
easy and quite fascinating. and he
threw an indescribable charm into hiS
voice as he extended his hand to Us
and said:
II am glad to see you. gentlemen n.
You are very welcome to Richmond
This was Jefferson Davis.
Not Fighting for slavery.
Mr.. Davis at once referred to the OBJ
ject of the visit. Mr.. Gilmore replied
that they too had come to ask how
peace might be brought about. Mr..
Davis replied at once:
In a very simple way. Withdraw
your armies from out territory. and
peace will come OF itself. We do not
seek TO subjugate you. Let Us
dlOnes ana peace VIII come at
But We cannot let you alone so long
as you repudiate the Union. That is
the one thing the Northe.G people will
not surrender"
Il know. You would deny US what
you exact for yourselves-the right Of
self-Eovernment."
Discussion followed Mr.. Davis de-
clared there could be no union between
North and South. Mr.. JaQness asked
him IL. as a Christian man. he could
leave untried any means that might lead
10 peace.
NO. I cannot" replied Mr. Davis. II
desire peace as much as you do. de-
plore bloodshed as much as you do; but
feel that not one drop OF the blood
shed in this war is on my hands-I can
look up to God and say this. tried all
in my power to avert this war. ! saw
1t coming. and for twelve years worked
night and day TO prevent il. but I could
not. The North was mad and blind.
and II would not let US govern ourselves:
and so the war came. and now il must
go on till the last man OF the generation
falls in his tracks. and his children seize
the musket. and fight his battle. unless
you acknowledge our rights TO self-gov-
ernment. We are not lighting for slavery.
We are fighting for independence-and
that or determination We will have"
Slavery. declared Mr.. Davis. had never
been an essential element in the war.
1T was only the means OF bringing other
conflicting elements to an earlier cuI-
mination. II fired the musket that was
already capped and loaded
Love of Old Flag Conc.
The two Northern men pleaded and
argued in turn. There was time for the
South TO yield gracefully; the North must
crush II in the end; an election might be
held, in all the States. and a majority
vote might settle the points at issue.
would be offered; there would
be no confiscation Of property; the slaves
would be enancipated.
Amnesty. sir. applies to criminals
said Mr. Davis. with a show Of anger. |
We have committed no crime.
You may emancipate every negro in the |
-onfederacy. but We will he free, We
will govern ourselves. We will do it, II !
re have to see every Southern planta- |
ion sacked and every Southern city in |
lanes"
Col Jaquess now said that he saw It !
vas useless to prolong the interview. He /
lpologized for pressing his views upon
Nr. Davis. Love of the old flag must be
his apology.
You have not intruded upon me-" said
Mr.. Davis, in his usual manner. II am
dad to nave met you, both. once loved
he old flag as well as you do: l would
lave died for it: but now it is to me
,nly an emblem OF oppression.
Half an hours conversation on general
opics followed. The visit lasted two /
,ours. Mr.. Davis in saying good-by 20
'oI Jaquess took the Northern preacher
oIdier's hand in both of his and said: II
Colonel. l respect your character. and
wish you we'll" and as he passed Col. Il
auuess out Of the room, Say to Mr..
lincoln for me that I shall at any time
e pleased to receive proposals OF peace
N the basis Of our Independence. II will
e useless to approach me in any other
ray" III
The two Northern visitors were es-
orted back to the Federal lines next
ay. Their report was gratifying TO Lin
oln-it confirmed what he had asserted
rom the first. that the war could only
e ended by force.
Col. Jaauess subsequently took the
tump for Lincoln, and his vivid descrip-
ion of his interview with Jefferson Da-
is did much toward silencing voters who
ad criticised Lincoln for not making
ventures to the Confederates.
Copyright. lsill
Tonsorrow-Gen. Joe Johnston
eIieved of command.