evils would ensue to the Union people of constitutionally unable to decide on peace the country unless they provided a home or war, can elect which of the two propfor the blacks and induced them to emigrate to it.

Scouting the Doctrine that Majorities are to
Rule.

1

ositions shall govern their rulers. Let Lee and Grant, meanwhile, agree to an armistice. This would sheath the sword; and if once sheathed, it would never again be drawn by this generation.

Mr. Gilmore, who visited Richmond in the summer of 1864, and sought by inter- Davis-The plan is altogether impracviews with Jefferson Davis, to bring about ticable. If the South were only one State, an arrangement for a cessation of hostil- it might work; but as it is, if one southities, was at one point in the conversation ern State objected to emancipation, it with that official completely "stuck"--and would nullify the whole thing; for you are no wonder. This dead-lock between the aware the people of Virginia cannot vote two was occasioned by Davis's plump de- slavery out of South Carolina, or the peonial that "majorities" should rule in polit-ple of South Carolina vote it out of Virical or State affairs. ginia.

Gilmore-If I understand you, the dispute between your government and ours is narrowed down to this: Union or disunion.

Davis-Yes; or to put it in other words: Independence or subjugation.

Gilmore-Then the two governments are irreconcilably apart. They have no alternative but to fight it out. But it is not so with the people. They are tired of fighting and want peace; and as they bear all the burden and suffering of the war, is it not right they should have peace, and have it on such terms as they like? Davis-I don't understand you. Be a little more explicit.

Gilmore-But three-fourths of the States can amend the Constitution. Let it be done in that way, so that it be done by the people. I am not a statesman or a politician, and I do not know just how such a plan could be carried out; but you get the idea that the people should decide the question.

Davis-That the majority shall decide it, you mean. We seceded to rid ourselves of the rule of the majority, and this would subject us to it again.

Gilmore-But the majority must rule finally, either with 'bullets or ballots.

Davis-I am not SO sure of that. Neither current events nor history shows that the majority rules, or ever did rule. The contrary, I think, is true. Why, Sir, the man who should go before the South

any proposition which implied that the North was to have a voice in determining the domestic relations of the South, could not live here a day. He would be hanged

Gilmore-Well, suppose the two goveruments should agree to something like this: To go to the people with two propositions-say, peace, with disunion and ern people with such a proposition, with southern independence, as your proposition; and peace, with union, emancipation, no confiscation, and universal amnesty, as ours. Let the citizens of all the United States (as they existed before the war) to the first tree, without judge or jury. vote 'Yes' or 'No' on these two proposi- | Gilmore (smiling)—Allow me to doubt tions, at a special election, within sixty that. I think it more likely he would be days. If a majority votes disunion, our hanged if he let the Southern people know government to be bound by it, and to let the majority couldn't rule. you go in peace. If a majority votes Davis (also smiling most good humorUnion, yours to be bound by it, and to stay edly)-I have no fear of that. I give you in peace. The two governments can con- leave to proclaim it from every house-top tract in this way, and the people, though in the South.

Crossing Fox River.

Mr. Lincoln's story in reply to a Springfield (Illinois) clergyman, who asked him what was to be his policy on the slavery question, in connection with the war, must certainly be regarded as sufficiently expressive:

previously, in obedience to the revolutionists, but which had been securely buried in the southern portion of the county, that it might escape insult and destruction.

At the time appointed for this interesting patriotic ceremony, a procession of ladies, numbering some three hundred, "Well, your question is rather a cool and displaying their gay Union flags, one, but I will answer it by telling you a marched to the public square, where their story. You know Father B., the old long banished idol was to be unfurled to Methodist preacher? and you know Fox the pure breeze that played so calmly over river and its freshets? Well, once in the the beautiful town of Cleveland. It was presence of Father B., a young Methodist one of the most imposing spectacles of was worrying about Fox river, and ex- loyalty and true patriotism ever witnessed, pressing fears that he should be prevented Gray-haired mothers, whose eyes were from fulfilling some of his appointments dimmed by age, were there; and there, by a freshet in the river. Father B. too, was the middle-aged matron, whose checked him in his gravest manner. Said sober gaze told the observer that a hushe Young man, I have always made it a band and father was at that time imperrule in my life not to cross Fox river till iling his life upon the field or in the dreary I get to it.' And," said the President, "I camp, to sustain the honor and dignity of am not going to worry myself over the that banner about to flap its cherished slavery question till I get to it." A few folds in the breeze where it was once days afterwards, a Methodist minister scoffed and derided; and there were those called on the President, and on being pre- who had bade farewell to brother or lover, sented to him, said, simply: "Mr. Presi- with a God-speed to the glorious cause. dent, I have come to tell you that I think we have got to Fox River." Mr. Lincoln relished the point thoroughly, thanked the clergyman, and laughed heartily.

Three Hundred Ladies with their Union
Flags.

Of these was that jubilant procession composed, while five hundred, at least, refugees from rebellion, and loyal East Tennesseans, who had taken refuge within the Federal lines, were there to assist in unfurling "the gorgeous enThe good people of Cleveland, East sign of the Republic." The procession Tennessee, suffered much from the power halted at the Public Square, the band disof the rebellion, and for a time the flood- coursed Hail Columbia,' and amid the gates of secession were opened wide upon swelling jubilee of cheers from the vast them, with the accompanying tide of per- multitude, that beautiful emblem of a great secution and spoliation. But in course of people's nationality was run up to the time the "powers that be" were changed, staff-head. Each star appeared more and they once more breathed the salubri- brilliant, and each stripe more attractive, ous atmosphere of olden times, for the law for having been so long buried from the of the Union and the Constitution was hands of those who would have dishonagain established among them. Colonel ored it. Waters, of the Eighty-fourth Illinois regiment, was in command, and one of his Presidential Favor at last for Everybody. first acts was to give notice that the Not long after the issue of his Proclaloyal citizens of Cleveland and vicinity mation of Emancipation, the President had desired to resurrect the same identical flag a fit of illness, though happily of short duthat was lowered two and a half years ration. Notwithstanding this disability,

"Oh, don't be in any hurry, Sir!" placidly remarked the Executive.

however, he was greatly bored by visitors. just called to see how you were," said the The Honorable Mr. Blowhard and the visitor. Honorable Mr. Toolittle did not fail to call on his Excellency, to congratulate him on his message and his proclamation; gentlemen in the humble walks of civil life were at the capital for the first time, and couldn't leave without seeing the successor of George Washington; persons with axes to grind insisted upon a little

Presidential Favor at last for Everybody.

aid from the great American rail-splitter;
and between them all they gave the con-
valescent Chief Magistrate very little leis-
ure or peace of mind. One individual,
whom the President knew to be a tedious
sort of customer, called at the White
House about this time, and insisted upon
an interview. Just as he had taken his
seat, Mr. Lincoln sent for his phy ician,
who immediately made his appearance.
"Doctor," said he, holding out his hand,
"what are those marks?"

"Thank you, Sir, I'll call again," replied the visitor, executing a masterly retreat from a fearful contagion.

66

Do, Sir," said the President: "Some people said they could take very well to my Proclamation, but now, I am happy to say, I have something that everybody can take." By this time the visitor was making a desperate break for Pennsylvania Avenue, which he reached on the double quick.

French Sensibility.

Amongst the gentlemen present on the platform when Mr. Beecher addressed the people of Edinburgh on the American question, were M. Garnier Pagès, M. Desmarest (a distinguished member of the French bar), and M. Henri Martin, the French historian. These eminent foreigners had been attending the social science meetings in Edinburgh, and they had arranged to leave for Paris early that evening; but at the request of somebody they consented to attend Mr. Beecher's meeting to testify their detestation of slavery. Near the close of the proceedings, the chairman stated that M. Desmarest had intended to address the meeting, but owing to an allusion to the Peninsular War in the course of Mr. Beecher's remarks, he thought his national sensibilities had been offended, and had left the room before the reverend gentleman had concluded. The following passage is supposed to have wounded the Frenchman:

In the beginning of the war we were peculiarly English-for I have observed

"That's varioloid, or mild small-pox," the England goes into wars and makes said the doctor. blunders in the first part-["hear, hear,"

"They're all over me! It is contagious, cheers and hissing,]-for it is generally I believe," said Mr. Lincoln.

found, I say, that England has blundered

"Very contagious, indeed," replied the in the beginning. [Renewed cheers and Esculapian attendant. hissing.] That is mere punctuation, I "Well, I can't stop, Mr. Lincoln, I suppose. I will make all the noise that

Lieut-We don't wish to conquer the South; but we'll restore the Stars and Stripes to Tennessee, if we have to hang ten thousand such dare-devils as you are. Col-Never mind, Sir, you will never

is necessary. I have noticed that in the
Peninsular War for months-for a whole
year-there was a series of rude endeav-
ors-misunderstandings at home, and want
of support to the armies-money squan-
dered like water-contracts, and contract-get up to Nashville.
ors making themselves rich

["hear," Lieut-Then Nashville will surrender cheers and hissings]-but if I recollect, before we start.

Lieut-What am I to understand by a right Government?'

at last [cheers and disturbance]-at last Col-Well, well, the old United States Wellington drove every Frenchman out flag is played out-we intend to have a of the Peninsula, and did not stop his right Government down here. course until he had swept every Frenchman out of Spain. And I say that we have not lost so much of the English blood, from which we are derived, and which yet flows in Yankee veins; but that we began by blundering and blundering[laughter]-but I think we are doing better and better at every step. [Loud cheers.]

Col-A Government based on property, and not a damned mechanic in it.

Lieut-Do these poor fellows, who have been fighting for you, understand then that they have no voice in the right Government' that you seek to establish?

Col-They don't care. They have no

Right kind of Government to be Established property to protect.

Down South.

Tracing his Political Pedigree.

Colonel Hanson, of the Kentucky Second, was one of the prisoners that fell into Union hands at Fort Donelson. Not so A northern sympathizer with the South taciturn as some of his comrades he en- was denouncing, in immeasurable terms, tered into an animated conversation with the United States Government and the the Union Lieutenant who had him in war, when the company was joined by a charge, on "the situation," telling frankly neighbor, a strong Union man, and after some bad truth: listening for a time, he interrupted him Colonel-Well, you were too hefty for with the remark: "You came honestly by

us.

Lieutenant-Yes, but you were tected by these splended defences.

your principles-you are a tory, naturalpro-ly." "What do you mean?" said Secesh.

"You know," said Union, "that during the war with Great Britain, the British entered the harbor and burned the town of New London." "Well, what of that," said S. "Why, somebody piloted them in, and when his dirty work was done, he came home with the British gold, and his

Col-Your troops fought like tigers. Lieut-Do you think now one Southern man can whip five Northern men? Col-Not Western men. Your troops are better than Yankee troops-fight harder endure more. The devil and all hell can't stand before such fellows. But neighbors, hearing of his presence, prowe drove you back.

vided themselves with ropes and made him an evening call, when he made his escape by the back door, and fled to the island of Bermuda, and died there.” "Well," said S., "what has all that to do with it?" "Well," said Union, "that

Lieut-Why didn't you keep us back? Col-You had too many reinforcements. Lieut-But we had no more troops engaged in the fight than you had. Col-Well, you whipped us, but you havn't conquered us. You can never con- pilot was your grandfather." quer the South.

Pelicans vs. Eagles.

sympathizers. He took notes and kept A little incident in connection with the his own counsel. One night he was waited custom-house at New Orleans, would seem upon by a ruffianly looking fellow, who adto show that secession was a thing thought vised him to flee, as there was to be an of by some of the southern leaders many uprising of the rebels, and his life might years ago. This was not done merely to be in danger. Out of respect for the assert the doctrine of State Rights, but Catholic religion, he had called to give rather with the deliberate purpose and ex- him timely warning. "The wagon which pectation that Louisiana would one day you may have seen filled with bedding," become an independent nation. The cus- said the fellow, "contained guns and amtom-house in question has been in the munition. Our friends (rebels) are supcourse of erection some sixteen years or plied with arms, and will soon be in possesso, and, more than ten years ago, there sion of the country." were put up the heraldic ornamentations and devices which usually give to such an edifice the indications of its nationality. An examination, however, shows that there is not on the building the slightest indication that it was erected and owned by the United States. As many as ten or twelve years ago, Beauregard and Slidell displayed their propensity to treason by ignoring the arms of the United States and substituting in their stead the Pelican of Louisiana. And there to this day is the sectional symbol, occupying the place of right and honor in the great room, where should be the eagle and the shield.

Mistook his Man.

"Sir," said the priest, "you have come voluntarily into my house and told what I had already mistrusted. I give you two hours to leave this town. If you are found here at the expiration of that time you need not appeal to me to save your life. Go, Sir!"

The ruffian had mistaken his man. He disappeared, and the rebel sympathizers did not rise. The nearest Federal officers were at once informed of what was going on, and the Union citizens were immediately supplied with arms.

Sprinkling Blood in the Face of the People.

Jere. Clemens, of Alabama, in a public address given by him, related an interesting Rev. Mr. was a priest of the circumstance in connection with the early Catholic church in Missouri, his parochial history of the Rebellion, as illustrating the precinct embracing several counties. A predetermination of the leaders to plunge staunch Union man from the beginning, he the country into war. He was in Monthoisted the Stars and Stripes over the door gomery soon after the Ordinance of Secesof his church at the commencement of the sion was passed, and was present at an war, and there he kept them flying. His life interview between Jeff. Davis, Memminwas threatened, he was warned to flee, but ger and others. They were discussing the he maintained his ground. He knew the propriety of firing upon Sumter. Two or views and sentiments of every man in his three of them withdrew to the corner of the parish, which extended from the Iowa line room, and, said Mr. C., “I heard Gilchrist to Missouri river. say to the Secretary of War, 'It must be done. Delay two months and Alabama stays in the Union. You must sprinkle blood in the face of the people.' The meeting then adjourned."

One day he saw a man moving about from house to house and having business with rebel sympathizers. He watched the fellow's course. He noticed also a wagon filled with bedding, with a woman and The traitor chieftains were as good as children, as if the family were on the their word. Sumter was fired upon. It stopped at the houses of rebel | Blood was sprinkled "in the face of the

move.