...ate every negro in the Confederacy, but we will be free! We will govern ourselves. We will do it, if we have to see every Southern plantation sacked, and every Southern city in flames. I see, Mr. Davis , it is useless to continue this conversation, I replied; and you will pardon us, if we have seemed to press our views with too much pertinacity. We love the old flag, and that must be our apology ...