The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-07-04

ence viii BE- destroyed. Every American will
respond.
.. THE UNION MUST, AND SHALL re PRESERVED. "
In a late Louisville Journal. We find a letter
written 10y Hon. Garrett Davis, one Of the most
prominent men in Kentucky, and an intimate
friend and companion Of Henry Clay. which
throws more light on the views and plans Of
President Lincoln. than anything we have seen,
which We here insert. But, a Mr.. Lincoln SAYS,
it Is the people that rule. and ms plans may give
way to and be entirely changed by popular de-
mands.
Geo. u. Prentice, Esq Dear Sir-Early last
week, / determined, upon nv own rejection and
impulse, TO make a hurried run to Washington, to
take a view Of public affairs there, and from there,
and TO talk with the President and some members Of
his Cabinet in relation TO cur national troubles, and
how the administration intend 10 treat them.
l found the President frank and calm. but decided
and firm. He expresses deep concern and regret for
the existing condition OF public affairs, and his hope
that there would yet be a restoration Of the Union,
and amity among all the States. He remarked, that
neither he. nor any other President, who had been
elected by a party. could administer the Government
in exact accordance with his own opinions and ludg-
ment but must make some departure 60 satisfy those
vino had placed him In power. That before the
Caroliniaus had made their attack on Sumter, be had
decided not 10 reinforce or 10 attempt 10 reinforce its
garrison, but merely, and only, 10 supply IT. handful
OF famlsnIuG men Win ICDl : anu llAL ne lao us
tiuctly communicated these purposes 70 the authorI-
ties If the Southern Confederation. That ne had also
determined. that, until the meeting Of Congress, he
would make no attempt 10 retake the forts, &c,
belonging TO the United States, which had been
unlawfuIl seized and wrested from their possession,
but would leave the then existing state OF things TO
be considered and acted upon by Congress, unless he
should he constrained to depart from that purpose by
the continued military operations Of the seeded
States.
The President. further said, that events had now
reached a point when it must be decided whether our
system of federal government was only a league OF
sovereign and independent States, from which any
State could withdraw at pleasure, or whether the
Constitution formed a government invested with
strength and powers sufficient 10 uphold its own
authority. and TO enforce the execution OF the laws
of Congress. That he had no doubt Of the truth Of
the latter proposition, and he intended to make it
good in the administration Of the Government to the
extent that ne should be sustained by the people OF
the United States.
States, upon which he had made a requisitiOn for
military aid. to enable him to execute the laws, 10
respond TO that call; and particularly the State Of
Kentucky, which had been so loyal TO the Union and
faithful in the performance of all her duties. That
he greatly regretted she had not acted up 70 the
principle Of her great statesman now no more, and
for which she cast her vote in the late Presidential
election, the Union. the Constitution, and the
Enforcement Of the Laws"
That he intended to make no attack, direct or in
direct, upon the institutions or property OF any State,
but, on the contrary, would defend them TO the full
extent with which the Constitution and laws Of Con-
gress have vested the President with the power. And
that he did not intend to invade with an armed force,
or make any military or naval movement against any
State unless she or her people should make 1t HeceSSd-
Ty by Il formidable resistance Of the authority and
laucs Of the United States. That if Kentucky or her
citizens should seize the post of Newport, it would be-
come his duty aud he might attempt to retake II; but
he contemplated no military operations that would
make 1t necessary to move any troops over her terri
tories though he had the unquestionable right at all
times TO march the u. :. troops into and over any and
every State. That if Kentucky made 40 demonstra-
ton of force against the United States he would not
modest her. That he regretted the necessity of march,
ing troops across Maryland, but forces to protect the
seat Of the United States Government could not he
concentrated there without doing 50; and he intend
ed to keep open a line of communication through
that State TO Washington City, at any risk, but IN Il
manner least calculated to irritate and iniame her
people.