Weekly Trinity journal., 1861-11-02

Gen. Denver writes nn Explanatory Letter.
WASHINGTON Cry, D. c., Sept a. 1861.

WASHINGTON CITY, ID. o., Sept. "a, 1861.
Editors Sacramento Union Il have just been
put in possession OF copies of you paper of the
goth and 2lst ut., by which it appears that pri-
vate letter written by me in July last to my
brother has found its way into public prints,
This | greatly regret, not alone because it was
not Intended for publication, but it seems to
have conveyed an impression to my friends that
| have changed my opinions since leaving Cali
! fornia, which is not the case.
The letter was intended to be strictly private
and meant only to notify my brother of the stag
nation of all kinds of business here, so that he
might be prepared for the crisis when it reached
California, which believed it would do. 1t was
written after our disaster at Bull Run, when
every one who felt any love for the country was
greatly despressed in spirits aud there are some
expressions in it which | very much regret hav-
ing used, but | deny that there is anything in il
that can be tortured into dislOyalty. You may
call it fault finding, and in some parts unjust
but there is nothing in it which smacks of trea-
son, or Secession, which is the same thing. 1t
shows on its face the caraAessness of familiar
correspondence, and that ! deeply deplorcd the
present unhappy condition of our country but
have yet to learn that it is crime to lament over
our misfOrtunes. You know as we'll as any one
| that in times gone by, | have eXertcl myself to
| the utmost to remove the evils which threatened
the country, and which are now upon us. You
/ know that one of the principal reasons why |
would not support Mr.. Breckenridge for the
Presidency was, that believed that he was put
forward to further the views OF the Secessionlsts,
| | yield to no one in my devotion to the Con
stitution and Union, and | know Of no circum-
stances that would induce me to acquiesce in II
peaccable dismemberment Of our country. re-
gret as much as any one possibly can the neces-
sity which has forced the Government into war,
but as that war is necessary for the very exist.
encc Of the Government, it ought to be prosecu-
! ted with the utmost vigor until the Constitution
and laws of the United States are acknowledged
and obeyed in every portion of the country, the
same as formerly. So long as there was any
chance Of settlement of our troubles by com
promise, | was in favor of that course, but when
! the door was closed to all compromise, by the
| uuprovoked attack on Fort Sumter-by Tho
seizure Of forts, arsenals, navy yards and ship
of war-by the seizure and coniiscation of prop
erty belonging TO loyal citizens-by the raising
of armies and evying of war against the Govern
ment---by the expulsion Of loyal citizens and
! Government oiliCers--by refusing to support the
| Constitution recognize the flag OF our country
by adopting new Constitution, new flag,
and Il new Government, or rulers, in opposition
! to the regularly constituted authorities OF our
country, | was and am in favor OF supporting
and maintaining the Government at every hazard
and whatever cost The struggle may continue
for years, and IL may exhaust every portion o
| the country, but even that would be better thar
to establish the heresy that State has lega
right to withdraw from the Union ut pleasure
Such doctrine as that-the right of II State Il
secedc-once admitted, carries with it self des
ruction, which is abhorrent to all government
These views are not prompted in any way by
the fact that now hold from the Administrator
a commission as Brigadier General of Volunteers
That appointment was given TO me without my
knowledge or solicitation, and accepted entirely
! through a sense of duty. Whenever my services
/ h. InI h,f La tInI an.
thoritcs to rcpel foreign invasion, or repres'
domestic violence, they will not be refused-nc
matter whether may have supported or opposed
the election of those authorities but under nc
circumstances will join the enemies OF my coun
try, or fight under any other banner than the
stars and stripes.
Very respectfully your obcdent servant
j. W. DENVER.