The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-06-13
Hon. G.. l.. ValIantlinghani

| The following are extracts from recent let
| ter from the Hon. c. l.. Vallandingham to :,
| committee of gentlemen who had re luestei
| his opinion upon the present condition of the
| country. After giving extensive extracts from
| the speech of Stephen A Douglas, in opposi
| ton to any war policy against the South,
made on the 18th March, 1861, and heartily
| endorsing the anti war policy of Mr.. Doug
| las, Mr.. VallandIagham closes his letter as
follows
These We're the sentiments of the Demo
cratic party, of the COnStitut ionaI Union par
| ty, and of Il large majority of the Republican
presses and party, only SIX weeks ago. They
were mine-I voted them repeatedly along
with every Democrat and Union man in the
House. l have seen nothing to change, much
to confirm them since. especially in the seces-
sion, within the last thirty days, of Virginia.
Arkansas, North Carolina and Tennessee
taking with them four millions and n half OF
people, immense wealth, inexhanstible re-
sources, five hundred thousand fgh ting men
and the graves OF Washington and Jackson
/ shall vote them again.
Waving the ques lion of the doubtful legal >
ity OF the nrst proclamation, of April 18th,
calling out the militia for .'three months -
under the act OF 1895, will yet vote to pay
them, because they had no motive but sup
posed duty and patriotism TO move them; and
moreover, they will have rendered almost the
entire service required of them, before Con-
gress shall meet. But the audacious usurpa.
lion of President Lincoln, tor which he de-
serves impeachment, i'll daring, against the
very letter of the Cons titution, and without
the shadow of law, to raise ana support ar
mics" and to ''proyide and main tain navy
Tor three or i've years, by mere Executive proc
iamatlon, Will not vote to sustain or ratify
newer. Millions for Gefenee-not a man or 4
dollar for aggressive and offensive war
Ihe war has had many motives for its com
inencement it can have but one result whe-
Their it lasts one year fifty years-FIsAL,
ETERNAL SEPARATION, DIsUNIoS. As for the
conquest and subjugation of the South will
not lmpeach The intelligence of any man
among you, by assuming that you dream of it
as at any time or in any way possible. Re-
member the warning OF Lord Chatham to the
British Parliament My Lords, you cannot
conquer America" A public debt of hun
dreds OF millions, weighing us and our poster
ity down tor generations,i we cannot escape.
Fortunate shall we be il I'VE escape with our
liberties. Indeed it is NO longer so much a
question of war with the South as whether
we ourselves are to have constitutions and a
republican form of government hereafter in
the North and West.
In brief am for the Cons titution first, and
at all hazards Tor whatever can now be saved
OF the Union next, and for Peace always as
essential to the preservation of either. But
whatever any one may think of the war, one
thing, at least, every lover of liberty ought to
demand lnexorably that IL shall be carried
on strictly subject to the Constitution.
The peace policy was tried il arrested Sc
eessIon, and promised a restoration of the
Union.
The policy of war is now upon trial in
twenty days IL has driven four States and
four millions and a half of people out of the
Union and into the Confederaey OF the South
In little while longer il will drive out also.
two or four more States, aud two or three
millions OF people. War may, indeed, be the
policy OF the East; bur peace is a necessity TO
the West
would have volunteered nothing, gentle
men, at this time in regard TO this civil war
but as constituents, you have right 10 know
my opinions and position and briefly, but
most frankly, you have them.
Ny only ans wer 10 those who indulge in
SANDER and yttuperation, was given in card
OF the 18th OF April, herewith enclosed.
Very truly, y. l.. VALANDI1GHAa