The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-05-22
from John MINOR Bo,ts--He
Recommends - National C0uveu-
tiOu aud PeaceabIe Secession.

Bolts we take irom The NdiiDhal fa'et69eHce,'
RIeHAoEp, April ~.
MY DEAR StR.-Your letter yesterday has
been received. Before this you will have learn
ed through the press all that has occurred at
Norfolk and at this place; but cannot begin to
give you Just conception Of the excitement
cre,ted not only here but throughout the whole
southern country, by the proclamation of the
18Th, which, in many respects, may be regarded
as the most unfortunate document that ever is
sued iron the government In the absence OF
that paper this State could not baye been taken
ont ofthe Union; with it the Union party and
Union feeling have been almost entilcly swept
Out Of existence. You cannot meet with one
man in a thousand who is not iniiamed with
passion for IgFr; AMI every one seems to
regard the proclamation as declaration OF
war for the SubiugatIon OF the entire South and
for the cxterminatiOn OF slavery; reason with
them on this point) would as soon arrest the
motion Of the Atlantic as it would check the cur
rent of their passions. gl
When | saw you in Washington, some ten
days since, had the honor to lay before you
and other members OF the Cabinet, as well as
before Mr.. Iincoln himself plan for the set
tlene1t of our troubles, through the medium 0;
a rational convention. to give to the secefed
States leave 10 teithdraw. thought then, as
do now, that the plan then suggested was the
only solution to the drea lfHi crisis which was
upon u.s. Since that time matters have assumed
a lar more frishtIul aspect, and now venture
to make one more effort to save the unnecessa-
ry eifuSion OF brothers blood; and in the name
ofliberty, humanity and Christianity, Hnplore
ou to give it your earnest and solemn deiibeTa
| ton. r.r. I'd. ..a-l
/ | need hardly say that no man in this nation
/ has held in higher appreciation the value OF our
BILE Ssed Union; no man has lahored more con
Stanty and earnestly for its perpetuaton than
l. No mans heart can bleed more freely tor
it's loss than mine; no man can mourn more
sorrowinlly for its overthrow than will. NO
man can condemn more severely than the i'm
mediate causes that have so unnecessarily led
us into this awful terrible catastrophe than
do Yet, Tor the first time. after an entire night
Of sleepless reflection, when prayed as never
prayed before for wisdom and strengh Il TO do my
duty my mind has been brought to the conclu
sion that dissolution is an inevitable decree
fate. 4.
am satisfied that contest on the part ol
the General Government, with its perfect mill,
tary organization, powerful naval iorces, III
command OF money, and its credit without linn
pie. against eight millions without military or
ganizaton, without naval forces, without money
or credit, it is not likely to be Of doubtful resu
in tho end; but after that, what then? Can tht
Union be preserved on such terms, or would 1
he worth preserving if it could? After the bes
blood of the country has been shed in wa
which has passion. prejudice and unnatural bu
mutual bate for foundation, init nsified by th'
C nhict, could the sections ever be brought to
geIher as one people again? And would it no
require large san'ing armies, in constant ac
tive service, TO conquer and maintain peace?--
And would that not end at last in hateful
loa,hsome military despotism?
III am right in all this, would not peace
: ful separation, not as a military necessity, bu
r as triumph OF reason, order, law, liberty, NOR
ality and religion over passion, pride, prejudice
! hatred, disorder, and the forces OF the mob, b
: far wiser md more desirable solution Of tn
problem than such scene as will result from
,, purely sectional warfare (result as it may,) an
: from which the heart sickens, and the soul re
. :. coils with horror? @ . &
!. You may cut, main, kill and destroy; y,
= = may sweep down battallions with your artill'
: ry; you nav block up commerce with yot
! fleets; you may starve out the thousands an
y tens of thousands ofthe enemies OF the govern
!, ment; you may overrun. but you cannot subii
3 gate the united South. and II you could do a
= this, you could not dot do it without inticiif
!, an equal amount of misery upon those who al
- its best friends, and who have stood as leng
% there was plank to stand upon, by the side
the Union the Constitution and laws. Ol
: streets may run red with blood: our dwelling
y may be eveled with the earth; our hearthston
v may be made desolate, and then, at the las
70 what end has been gained? Why the goverl
~ ment has exhibited S power, which has new
:, =, been questioned but by the idle, the gnorar
= and the deluded, and for the display of whit
y thereswll be abundant opportunities wItho1
an effort now, on either side, to cut eac othe,
~ !, throats. -s
:. So far from its being regarded as beray
T. of weakness by the other powers of the glsb
~ - will 1t not be looked upon in tho present cme
= gency as an act of msgnanimity and heromis
, on the part of peace? Let me, then, as stro1
devoted, unalterable friend of the Union (if
y could be maintaiued) )-let ME, as a console
. tious and interchangeable opponent of the fat
=. heresy ofsecession, urge upon this administr
- tion the policy OF issuing another proclamati'
g proposing truce 10 hostilities, and the immeC
ate assembling of the national convention
" recognize lhe einiepenience OF such ofthe Sta
u as desire to Withdraw from the Union, al
y make the experiment Of separa e. goyernmer
" which it will not as think, take them long
discover is the most gorgeous error hat ma
:" in his hour OF madness, ever committed.
ic 1t five years from this time the remain
~ United States would b stronger and more po
~ eru than the thirty flour States were s
" months ago--and you will have govetnme
y permanent and enduring for all time to come
~ which all who seek an asylum from oppressi
= may resort hereafter. s' ~e@ tstt
W Twill not undertake to speculate on the e
=, pertinent Of a Southern Republic; my opinio
az on that subject are we'll defined, and too W
~ understood to make it necessary that tn
" should be canvassed here. Let 1t be tried, Q
eh let it work ont its own salvation s.
o. Ifttis policy can be adopted, all shall a
80 for myself will be- the privilege of retiring
" some secluded spot, where | can live in pes
y and mourn over the downfall OF the best q
g ernment--wisleyg administersd--with viii
:" man was ever blessed. 6sg-a lHHsp ii if
9 could not willingly take up arms againt
= Union that i have been taught and accustom
TO adore. at indispensableio mypwa libersi
!" and will never raise my arm against my q
~ tive State, although her arm has ever been
-. gainst me and mine. ~ "a. psFE hl
70 For Gods sake, lot me implore you to etw
~ Som, magnanimity, true courage and human
- y erail in your counsels, and give peace Il
- distrsc' ed and discovered country, 70 t.
a write IS one who feels that heis stand
ON the brink ct the grave ofall he has cherish
!, , on earth; my head is bowed down with q
'ust over the madness that rules the hour and pf
70 God to give mo tho wisdom to know and
T tst sag'h to perform my dcty. my whole du
to my country. my state. and :ay friends ?
% am, with great respect. yours, &cs,ls asi