Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-06-07

hese thugs in open day, and in contempt Of the
rights and powers Of the people Of Virginia,
have such reverence for treason, order, law,
liberty, morality, and religion" as to give much
heed to the Presidents "Proclamat.on propos-
ing a truce r. lack the faith to believe II.
In conclusion, Iassure you in all sincerity
that do deeply sympAthze in your present dis
tress. l lovethe people Of my native State, aud
mourn over the guilt and wretcheduess into
which they thoughtessly allow themselves to be
plunged by their reckless meleaders.
win loaEehsrished respect and regard Eo%a@ your
| ohedisnt servant, EDWARD BATES.
WARRINGTON, May 8.
Hon. joins NJ. BoTTa, Richmond. Va.
Mr. DRAR Sra; In, answer to your letter of
May 2, have not and ought not to have much
to say. This much, however, both my inclinR
ton aud my duty require me to say my personal
respect for you remains undiminished. My
friendly feelings toward you are not only not
diminished, but are made more deep and tender
by the distressing circumstances which surround
you. And these facts make me regret very much
that should have been compelled by circum-
stances to write you such letter as to infct
any pain at modification, and especially to the
degree indicated by your answer, add explained
more at large by the friend who bore It. dis
claim intention TO wound your feelings, or to
offer you the slightest indignity and if there be
anything In my letter from which an intention
to insult you can possibly be inferred, l retrAct
il.
This much say with the intention and hope
Of preventing any breach, or even weakening of
the personal relations between US. Let us be
friends still.
But it seems now that we differ SO widely in
opinion upon matters Of fact, that il is impossi-
BILE for us to reason upon the same line Of
argument. You think that the Union is al
ready dissolUsd-the nation already destroyed
On the contrary, believe no such thing. You
believe that a peaceful dissolution Of the Union,
in the manner and by the means already employ
cd, is possible. believe it impossible. Ibelieve
that the insane effort At national destruction,
persisted in, will involve war more terrible
than any the world has witnessed, since the
thirty years war In Germany. You that great
nation like this can consent 10 die, and may hope
10 die an easy death l think that nations, like
individuals, are under Gods great law Of self
defence, and when pressed down by superior
force will die in conyulsive agonies. You seem
to think that Virginia can 20 out Of the Union
and still preserve her integral Statehood !
think that when she dismembers the nation, she
will herself be dismembered.
But will not continue the contrast. My
heart is sorrowful when contemplate the pre-
sent degradation Of Virginia. GLOW are the
mighty fallen I" With the loss Of her power she
has lost all prestige also, and can longer lead
the people and direct the counsels of other States
She remembers her patriots aud sages of former
times, only to boast Of them-not to initiate their
talents and virtues, but (by implicit faith) to
impute to the present generation the posthumous
reputation of the glorious dead. Formerly she
proudly marched 10 the van Of all the States
now she cFeeps in the rear Of South Carolina.
and consents to be detailed as picket guard, to
man an outpost Of the Cotton States.
Poor old Virginia In my heart pity her.
Already they boast in the South that they have
transferred the seat Of war from their homes to
yours. And soon their deVouring legions will
be upon you to eat up your substance and do
your voting at the disnnion election Now,
mark my prophecy Unless Virginia, by rapid
revelation, redeem herself from the gulf that lies
just before her, she will be degraded i'm
poTerished, and dismembOred. For her, hope
almost against hope. Aud for you, remain, as
heretofore. Your friend,
..s, EDWARD BATES.