Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1861-01-15

Gen. Wool to Gen. Cass.
PRIyATE

Troy. Dec. 6 1860.
My DEAR GEHERAL:-Od assoria-
tions and former friendship induce me
10 venture TO address 10 you a few
words on the state of the country. Ny
letter is arked private, because | am
not authorized to address you officially.
| have read with pleasure the Presi-
dents NJ ssage. South Carolina says
she tends TO leave the Union. Her
representatives in Congress say she
has already left the Union. II would
seem that she is neither 10 be concilia-
ted or coniforted. command The East
ern Department. which includes South
Carolina. Georgia, Florida, Alabama
and Mississippi. You know me well.
| have. ever been a firm, decided, faith
ful and devoted fried of my country
If can ard the President 10 preserve
The Union, hope he will command my
services. 1t will never do for him or
you to leave Washington without every
star IN this Union IS IN lis place. There
fore, no tune should be lost in adopting
measures 10 defeat II ose who are con-
spring against the Union. Hesitancy
OF delay may be no less fatal to the
Union than to the President. or your
own high standing as statesman.
Ii seems 10 me that troops should be
sent 10 Charleston to man the forts in
that harhor. You have eight coinpa-
MES at Fort Monroe, Va. Three or
four Of these companies should be sent
without moments delay 10 Fort Moul-
trie- II Will save The Union. and the
President much trouble. Ii Ia said that
to send al this time troops to that har-
tor would produce great excitement
among the people. That is nonsense.
when Ihe people are rs much excited
as they can be, and the leaders are de-
,ermIned 10 execute their long media
ted purpose OF separating the State from
the Union. So long as you command
the entrance TO The city of Charleston.
South Carolina cannot separate herself
from the Union. Do not leave the forts
IN The harbor in a corditIon 10 induce
an auempt to take possession of them.
1t might easily be done at his time. II
South Carolina should take them, II
might. a she anticipates, induce ether
States 10 JOIN her.
Permit me to entreal you tG urge the
President 10 send at once ihree or four
companies or arlillerYto Fort MollIrie
The Union can he preserved, bat II re-
quIres firm, decided. prompt end ener-
geuc mea sures on the part of the Presl-
dent. He has only to exert the power
conferred upon him by the Constitution
and laws of Congress. and all vii! be
safe, nd he will prevent 4 civil war,
which never fails 10 call forth all the
baser passions Of the human heart. II
a separation should take place, you una J
rest assured blood woull flow IN tor
rents, aud Senator Stewards irrepresSi-
ble conflict will b. brought to a concu-
sion much sooner than he could posi-
lily have anticipated. Let me coniure
you 10 save the Union. and thereby
avoid the bloody and desolaiing exam.
pie of the States OF Mexico. A sepa-
ration of the States bring with Ii the
dissolution Of the Cotton States, which
are uuprepared for war. Their weak
ness will be found IN the number of their
slaves, with but few Of The essentials tC
carry Oh war, whilst the Free State:
have all the elements and materials fol
war, aud 10 greater ex ent than ahy
other pie on the fice Of the globe
Think of these things, my dear Cen
eral, aud save The country, and save the
prosperous South from pestilence. fam
me and desoIauon. Pcacatlr secession
is not TO be thought of. Even if i
should take place III three months, we
would have u bloody war on our hands
Very truly your friend.
joins l.. WouL.
Hon. LEWIS CAss, Secretary ot
State, Washington, d. C.