, 1861-01-09

The Union neetins--Lctter from aIr.
Lurned.
Editors Chicago Tribune:
As your article Of yesterday Oh tho Union
meeting ol Saturday evening: is calculated to
give al erroneous IDA as to the position Of
myself and tho Republicans associated with
INC in committee, in regard to the "grcat con-
cessions" alluded to in the resolutions OF that
meeting, beg leave to define as briefly rs
possible what was intended TO be conveyed ly
those words.
The true meaning will perhaps bc best c1-
planned by referring to the original drilt OF
the resolution which read thus:
"TAat men Of all political parties, in hoth
"scctions Ut the country, Should be willing to
''concede what they call mthoM q sacrifice #
''prine;l@c, for the ealkc Of restoring harmons
"-bctwccn the different sections OF the cuu,l-
"tY."
Stated in this Language, presume itwonld
meet the unanimous consent Of the Rrpubll,
can party.
! The 1,lir.,seo'cgy rather than the meaning Of
the resolution WITS objected to hy several
| 1lcmbrrs Of tho committee, upon the ground
that tic word "prlncip1c" Us there used was
susceptible of ambiguity and might be under
| stood as meaning political opinions rather
than conscientious convictions.
The Republicans Of the Committee were re-
iuctant to chungc the phraseolo.y, but for tile
sake Of unanmity, consented IL do 60, with
| the express understanding, however, that the
| resolution as reported meant snch concessions
only cotsd 1e make tcitoM sacrifice Of pri'4-
eipIe.
tntrd words arc regarded by many persons rs
having broader meaning than those contain-
| Cd it. the original draft, will frankly state
that regret that the original phrascoloky was
not retained, but the meaning aud design Of
both forms Of expression was regarded by us
at the time US identical.
You will bear in mind that the great object
Of the meeting was to unite nil parties in Il
lrm and strnng expression OF their detcs1nn-
fon fhs easz,spea 5S s1aea q s ths aTa saeh
IN expression from all parties was calculated
to have far more influence than any mcrc par,
| tizan declaration, however strong.
To accomplish this purpose, it was necessary
to yield whAtcyer: was not regarded as cssen-
tial, and the variation OF tho language Us above
explained vas not considered Is committing
| US to any concessions contrary to the (undu-
mental principles of the Republican party. 1n
no other sense would we hare agreed to the
resolution, and such In our opinion now ID Its
true and just significance.
II is crident that the resolutions reported,
in their whole scope and spirit, advocate the
most determined support Of the Government
and laNTn Of The Union. This Is their main
| idci and purpose. Concession is only alluded
to in single paragraph, and only to manifest
with such discrimination spirit Of forbcar
" a1ce and conciliation, and u desire to prevent
If possible long and bloody cirll war.
| Nor is crcn this solitary paragraph touching
: upon concession directed especially to tht
Aorsh but 10 men Of all political parties souti
as we'll rs North.
II it be asked what concessions can bt
: granted By tho North without sacrifice o
,, principle, | would answer-the repeal Of tl,'
! Personal Liberty. Bills wherever they conaic
. with thu fair enforcement Of fugitive slay'
: law, made constitutional in its provisions
the amendment to tho Constitution proposes
by senntor Seward denying any power to Con
T. grc.s over slavery in the States-tf such /
O deemed important; and such other mino
the party.
= For Myself I say now, rs hasc always III,
lesitaslngly said, thut aua in favor Of tho en-
tire enforcement Of the laws in all parts Of II.
country, South OF North, with the whole lore
Q Of the Nation, and the postponcment of all cor
h eide1auon or discussion upon matters Of cor