On the other side, it was contended that
delay might bring the Federal Government to consider the
emergency of the case, and perhaps a compromise could be
effected; but, if not, then the proposed concert of action would
at least give dignity to the movement, and present an undivided
Southern front.
"The debate lasted many hours, and Mr. Davis, with perhaps one
other gentleman in that conference, opposed immediate and
separate State action, declaring himself opposed to secession as
long as the hope of a peaceable remedy remained. He did not
believe we ought to precipitate the issue, as he felt certain
from his knowledge of the people, North and South, that, once
there was a clash of arms, the contest would be one of the most
sanguinary the world had ever witnessed.
"A majority of the meeting decided that no delay should be
interposed to separate State action, Mr. Davis being on the
other side; but, after the vote was taken and the question
decided, Mr. Davis declared he would stand by whatever action
the Convention representing the sovereignty of the State of
Mississippi might think proper to take.
"After the conference was ended, several of its members were
dissatisfied with the course of Mr. Davis, believing that he was
entirely opposed to secession, and was seeking to delay action
upon the part of Mississippi, with the hope that it might be
entirely averted.
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