The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-08-16

Letter from wheeler H. Peckham.
ST. PAUL, August IL, 1861.
MESsRs. H. r. BIGELow, JOHN NJ. GILMAN, and
others, comprising Committee appointed
at a meeting of those signing the call for
Union Convention, held at Market Hall,
August Z, 1861.
GENrLEMEN-H Having originally signed
call for Union Convention, and the call,
as | now understand, being under your con-
troll, write to request you to withdraw my
name from the list of the signers therefor.
In taking this step, it is due to the gen.
tlemen who with me signed that call, as
well as to myself, that l should briefly as
sign my reasons therefor.
In common with many Others, l thought,
some days since, that Union par y might
be formed whose single aim should be the
suppression of this rebellion and the resto-
ration of peace to our unhappy country,
that such purpose would animate in
common Northern men of all shades of
political opinion; and that it might eventu.
ally win its way to the hearts of our mis-
guided brethren in the South.
But I thought then, as think now, that
political party, even for temporary pur-
poses, must be organized for some political
eEd, and be based upon some political prin-
cples. The principles of the future Union
party could not, of course, be fixed in the
call, and could only be fixed and declared
after the party had in some way been
brought together by means of the CALL 1
had supposed the time for that would be at
the meeting of the Convention called, and
that we could then see whether it was pos.
sible, successfully, to carry on our design.
But it seems to me that the question has
already been decided. In the discussion at
the meeting referred to, on the 9TH of Au.
gust instant, it became apparent that the
views, as to the principles that should gov.
ern the party, held by me an by those who
agreed with me, were utterly discordant
with those held by Others who signed the
call, or in the language of the honorable
gentleman who presided over that meeting,
" If | understood the object of the call, be
did not"
While we all agreed that the ronelnon
must he Put down, IL was the only thing
upon which we did agree. When we came
to discuss ways and means the lines of d.
vision were US plainly marked as were those
between Republicans and Democrats. |
could in no sense be one of party pledged
to the support of this administration, as such,
but on the contrary, in its almost every
policy, am absolutely opposed to it. Others
again who signed the call entirely approve
OF the whole course of the administration.
After what transpired at the meeting,
and from repeated subsequent conversations
with different signers of the call, l have be-
come convinced that, although entertaining
for them personally the highest respect, it
is impossible that we should act together
for any political end.
Our opinions are so different that any,
thing we might do would be mere combi-
nation, and in no sense union. Nor do |
feel that any danger can result to the Gov
eminent from the continuance of parties or
the existence of an organized opposition.
There is no human Government so pure as
to need no scrutiny into its affairs and
there is no proper instrument to make that
scrutiny but an opposition party. But it
by no means follows that an opposition party
shall oppose every act of the Government.
Aside from this there is another reason
sufficient to make me decline further action
with the Union party. It was organized
or called for the purpose of setting aside
for the moment other issues and other party
organizations in this State, and uniting the
whole people in one party for the support of
the Government. 1t has already entirely
failed in that object. The strict party Re-
publican Convention bad already been regu-
arly called, and the call has been adhered
to under the sanction of its leading men and
their leading papers. The Democratic party
has clearly evinced its determination to re.
tain its organization and fight once more
the political battle this fall When the
Democratic party is in the field l must be
with 1t. can never, and under no circum~
stances, be against it-certainly not so long
as IL is controlled by the patriotic princi,
pies and purposes which have ever guided it.
We might have counseled otherwise, yet,
II the party, as party, declares itself against
this Union movement, should yield my in
vidual opinion and be with it and of it to
the last.
But as circumstances have occurred am
far from thinking that the Democratic party
errs in its resolve to stand or fall by itself.
withdraw my name, then, gentlemen,
from the call for the Union Convention, be-
cause l have been unable to discover anv
political platform upon which can stand
with you, and because the main purpose of
your organization, as we all claimed. i e.
union without distinction of party has al.
ready been shown unattainable.
WIN great respect remain, gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
WHEELER II. PECKHAM.