Daily national Democrat., 1861-06-08
ilallp 9latlonal Democrat.
DonieI $. Dickinson on the War.

AZ much has been said concerning the po-
s;,;on occupied by Daniel S, Dickinson on
,be war question, the following letter should
be published generally. 1t will be seen that
,,.oat breckenridge leader of the Moth is firm
s,a resolute in the belief that vigorous
conflict will be more humane than would
lona rrotracted war. He has never talked
ohopt "wiping the South from the face of the
,ortb but has said that the material interests
of both sections are of but little value, COM
rored with the value of our free Republican
constitution. The Administration is sustained
,,v Douglas and by Dickinson in its vigorous
war policy, because they believe that the
rohels will sooner tire of fighting a great
army than they would of marching forward
urmolested to accomplish the destruction of
the last restige of Federal authority. Here
:. .Dekinson's letter:
BINGUAMroN, May |, 1861.
DEAR SIR:-I am favored with yours Of
numerous pages, calling my attention to a
newspaper article purporinc to contain some
recent expressions of mine upon the exciting
questions Of the day. and inquirng seriously,
whether really had said, as therein alleged,
that in the present contest 81 would, if ne
cessary, wipe the South from the face of the
earth" The paper you quote does not, how
ever, state, as think it should have done,
nor do you inquire, whether this eXtraordi-
nary fact was to be accomplished socially,
politically, or geographically. | am only
surprised that any one, and especially your
self, with the record of my sentiments, pub
lie and private, for many years before you,
should have taken the trouble to inquire
whether, in the face of these views, conceded
bv most, | believe to be just and moderate, |
had at the same time entertained and public
ly expressed those Of a character exactly op-
po,e. | can furnish you with an answer in
less words than You employed TO frame the /
inquiry. Ny views are matare, firm and re- (
solutc, but neither heated nor extravaganza |
cntertain the idea that whatever may be- |
az may have been the wrongs of the South |
the remedy sought 10y force is not suited to
fhe case. bat is calculated 10 ageravate the |.
l.seaseton fold; and that the overthrow of |
The Government Of the Unio Cd States by |
violence for any Of the reasons, or under .
any Of the preteucos alleged, would be one .
of the greatest calamitics that has ever be-
f,llen civilized man. have neither enter
tanned nor expressed the crude and absurd |
continents attributed to me- nor anything of
tItc kind.
expressed the opinion that, after all ef
forts at peace had failed, vigorous conflict .
and speedy settlement was more humane than
protractcd guerrilla war; that the quarrel .
was the fault and folly of the present genera
don, and lis adjustment should not be cow
ardy turned over to an innocent future;
that, if protracted, it would finally induce a
servlle as we'll as Il civil war, and for Il time
destroy the property of both sections-the
eH0merce Of the North and the institutions
The SoUth-but that the South had less
leeoreraiiye energy than the North, and .
.eGN therefore find r.e % friction ilore diff
iruit, aud bo the greater sufferer; and that. .
compact ON with tle moral and political
-....l.,.uus Of our Constitution and Govern
40, jla ir- .at material interests Of both .
.'i"us we've of lif'le value, and that II would /
'eUer taey should be swept from the earth, |
'..h A"t'l, and 5oGth, th1n the Government
oi oU; fathers should 0e oyulhrowu by yio- .
laucc, faction and rebellion, and made to give .
rhce 10 lawessness and anarchy. ! said .
WAS for supporting the Constitution in its |
tine spirit, and for preserving the Union; for |
uplo.Ing the Government in the ri.httul /
exercise OF all lUWtul authority, regardless Of +.
consequences and at any cost. am quite /
Willis tlo-e whose patriotism imptls them /
in such a direction should crilicise these
views at lG-are. | shall publish this note /
n., 'a correct the report you mention, for | |
long since learned better than to rive conse- /
guoncc and currency to a Misrepresentation /
byattoupling TO head it off, but chat | may
answer all inquiries at once.
Sincerely yours,
d. : DickfVsON