The Lambertville press., 1861-01-09

public. Surely, letter from him,
who has so much advanced our coun-
try by science and his reputation, is
well worthy of all attention.
OBSERVATORY, Washington,
December 22d 1860. {
My DEAR SIR. TSE
1t does appear to me that we are
permitting this Union to be dissolved
just through lack of a little plain COM
mon sense. Rely upon it, the great
body of the Southern people prefer
to have their rights properly secured
and guaranteed to them in the Union.
They think, and rightly think, that
! the difficulties between the sections
must be settled now--in the Union il
/ we can, out of it if we must. The
South, moreover, considers herself the
aggrieved party. She stands upon
her dignity, and makes no overtures
because she has no overtures to make
In fact, the'c case is very mach like
that of two gentleman who have had
a falling ont, which friends on both
sides desire to see made up. What
do they-the friends of the offending
partv--ao in snch a case Why.
they ~, at some discreet nah, who
is friendly to both parties, and who
enjoys the respect and esteem of each
They get him TO go TO the aggrieyed
party, to ask him if there is no way
of settling the difficulty amicably, and
then he is asked what will satisfy him.
This statement being received, il laid
before the other party-and the result
almost invariably is-especially when
right minded and honorable men are
concerned-a reconciliation and res
toration of their former friendly rela,
tionS.
But in this case it is Sovereign
States, and not individuals that are
concerned, you will say, and we have
no one to act. beg pardon.
There is the gallant little State of
New Jersey. She has ever been faith
full to the Constitution, true to herself,
and mindful of the rights of her sisters
in the confederacy. She is one of the
"Old 49," No act of hers has ever
offended her sister States, North or
South. She has the respect, conf
dence and esteem of the sisterhood.
Let her, then, undertake the Office OF
mediator Let her send forthwith her
commissioners down to those States
that have ordered Conventions oil
their citizens on the state of the Union
and in her name let them ask the peo-
pie there assembled in their sovereign
ty, to state the terms and conditions
uponswhich they will be content to re-
main in the Union.
With this ultimatum thus obtained
New Jersey will then go back to hel
sister States of the North, and lay il
before them for adoption or rejection;
and thus the friends of the Union
North and South, will have, the opin.
ion, not of Mr. A. B. or G, but the
opinion of the Southern people, act.
ing in their sovereign capacity, as te
what will content them. The good
men of the country, North and South
will have something tangible to &C
upon,-a proposition and plan for ad.
justment around which we may al
rally.
The South, I am sure, if asked tc
state her demands, will demand moth
ing that is derogatory to the dignity
of the North, nothing that is inconsis.
tant with Northern honor, nothing but
what the South herself woald, were
places changed, be willing to yield to
the North.
The Conventions of Alabama and
Mississippi are, I believe the first to
meet. Urge New Jersey to be pres
ent there in the person of her commits.
sioners as a mediator. Suppose she
draws an ultimatum from each which
differs from the other, or to which the
other Southern States object. Don't
you perceive then that you will have
commenced negotiations, and conse-
quently gained time--so that matters
may go on. coolly and deliberately on
both sides With a definite propo-
sition and time to discuss it, all will
be well.
Now is it not practicable to get
your leading journals to come ont in
favor of New Jerseys stepping for
ward as mediator ? Can't you get
meeting of your citizens to call upon
her--to send deputation to her Gov
ernor &c, urging her 10 act and act
promptly
write this letter as an individual,
to-you simply as o fellow citizen, who
has the same interest in the preserya-
tion Of the Union as / have. I do
not desire it to be alluded to in any
way, unless by the allusion or by pub
lication good may be done.
Respectfully.