Rensselaer Republican, Volume 15, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1883 — Gen. Butler and Jefferson Davis. [ARTICLE]

Gen. Butler and Jefferson Davis.

The Democrats failed to unite at Baltimore, but I will not trench in politics to say more than such was the fact, but I may say that a committee of fifteen from the Breckinridge wing was chosen to meet about Christmas qjb Washington to take measures for future organization. I was one of that committee, and when I went to Washington I found the delegates from South Carolina bringing the ordinances of socessioh. I conversed with them and I conversed with others of that oommittee, and I found that they had no intention of doing anything but to found an empire, the corner-stone of which was to be slavery, and to get the roof from tho United States. I told them that bloody, terrible war would be tbe result; but it h only fair to those gentlemen to say right here that they honestly did. not think so, because they were of opinion that tho North would not fight. My answer to them was: “The Noitli will fight, and don’t you make any m’stake about that.” “The North will fight?” one Texas gentleman asked; “well, who will fight?" His blood got up about that time. I replied: “I’ll fight for my own side.” The answer was: “There will be plenty of men to take care of you.” I said: “I have argued and voted for union for twenty years, and, God helping me, I will fight a year or two if necessary for the same thing.” After 1 had concluded to return home, I called upon Jefferson Davis, then Senator for Mississippi. I had previously traveled with him when he was on a visit to New England, and I believed him then to be a firm Union man. I sent a note to the Senate Chamber, saying I should like to see him, and I have the note in my possession now which contained his reply, in which he says: “Call and take tea with me this evening. I shall be glad to see yon.” I went, and I said: “Can not yon stem this torrent? Can not you stop this terrible catastrophe which is breaking on u's? What course are yon going to take?” He stayed to think for a time, and then said: “I shall go with my side.” He continued and said: “Yon are a Democrat; what oourse will yon take ?” I replied: “I shall go with my side”—and 1 did—“and my-side will go with me.” There was no anger, but more of sorrow between ns, ana, while the tears stood iq his eyes, Mr. Davis said: “Is it possible that next time we meet we shall meet as, enemies?” I sobbed in my reply: “That depends on yon.” —Speech of Gov. B. F. Butler.