Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-05-26
LETTER FROM BISuOP OTEE To
Wm. n. SEWARD.

MEMPHIS, Tenn, May 10, 1861.
70 tas Honorable wn. B Seward Secretary Of State
DEaz SIN: I know no that voice from
one Dol ling as hunbls a position as myself,
claiming only to be minister Of the gospel
Of psace,n can reach you and obtain a calm
and zisnassiouate bearing. " Silent icrss fuier
oruid,p e. q maxim that not unfre9uentiy fur
nishes a iustihcstion to those WHO slight re-
nonstrsnce. and with whom passion rather
than reasen Hrsvsils in the prosecution and
attainment Of their objecs. There are crises
IN the sfairs of nations which sometimes con
strain men 70 overlooz The differences 70 their
relative positions and venture beyond the limits
which becoming nodesty prsscribes, il order
to attemps valuable ends. The threatening
aspect OF the times portendinE disaster and
ruin, equally to the assaiird and the sssailing.
Prompt me urgently to make this comuunica-
tisn. II Il fails Of any salutsry influence The
author OF II viii at least Be conscious Of purity
- Attention, and CT having done what be
eou,s 49, 20 bis pTofsssi0a, TO promote
q osses - - viii among zen"
he bioo5 ~ ny auesstf, sTss "Poued
ovt Hi-. -. the bat leuelds OF The revo-
luton. 80 born 8lmost within hearing
II ,5s shouts - final victory. achieved o.
ny natal sell, that closed the conflict and pro
claimed the independence Of America All
tie reeollections Of chilaoood, and az the
rloEing anticipations OF youth and mat1rer
wears are associated in nv mind with heglori-
Gus events Of that period and the stirring times
of 1st2-sI5. 90 that love Of country grew with
vgrozfh and strengthened with my strength,
until it ripsnsd into 6svotion apProaching
70 idolatrT No one can be surprised, then.
that have been among the last to despair Of
tie rspubIie and TO give up the bops of pre-
serving TIE union Of these Stst-s. For fsrty
wears past have never lost sight Of this object,
and for TIE last year have exertsd az ne
iuaaence I possessed and EMPLOYED al the
means IN nv power to effect If. Now, il the
autumn OF lie, after having devoted nearly
half century to the Intellectual and religious
fuprovemsnt Of my felloW-men, with ny
children an grown, with what spectacle an
presented in the actual and prospective cOndi-
tfoa Of our UNHAPPY and distracted country?
Twenty millions Of peope in he North
wrought up 10 toe highest pitch OF exaspera
ton arufng to subiugate or eNterminate eight
= millions OF their brethren. who have sworn bT
their sitsrs and their fcesides that they will
die to the last man and mingie their biOsd
with that Of tksir wives, children and depend
suts. before they viii submit or yield mp the
sacred trust Of sslf-governmelit, committed 10
them BY their fathers.
Such is the picture which The people Of
these States now present 70 the co.5empia'i1n
Of the friends and &c the enemies o. free gov
erumsut throughout the world, 10 The professed
foiowsrs a toe f" Prince OF Peace" among the
nations Of the earth.
For obvious reasons, enter into no dEcus-
sion ef the causes which have brought about
this state OF our national shsirs. Il is not in
the line OF ny calling, even Il | was capable
Of conducting it wisely and credftsbly. With
statesman whose talents and experience have
placed him in station Of Prs-emirent power
and influence.
Thavs been in ths habit Of reading your
speeches for many Tesrs, and there are few
Senator's 10 whose wisdom, prudence and pstri-
otism. I rsposed 20 much confidence, FOR The
settlement Of those grave questions which have
disturbed, sgitatsd, and, finally, convuised this
great nation from center to circumfetenc
TIE only osesti0n, now for consideration,
which presses upon the mind and heart of every
man-slike upon the ruler and the subisct-the
Statesman and the constituent, the clergyman
and the lsyman, is, how are we 70 reach TIE
solution Of a difficulty which meets us every
where, e8veloping in its tolls and eompliea-
items, all the private and public relations or
life.
The proclamation CT the president inaugu-
rstsuu w4r has already accomplished, u VIII
Ia a few daFs consum nate, the work Of seces-
sion, - far az it VIII probably G., and as far,
perhaps, a. its authors snd promoters ever
eEpscttd or desired it to 20. u seems to be
overlooked that ibis proceeding is eharsctsr-
lied ou7y in some few Of its festurss BY those
marks which distinguish ord nary insuTsctions
Egsins, established governments.
Ths vast body OF the people now concerted
fn Il, recognizing the principle 50 distinctly set
forth ln our Declaration Of Independence that
Ha toe right and duty Of people 70 alter and
abolish tbeir f0rmB Of government wheH these
bscoae destructive Of the ends Of their crea-
ton, have acted in this case, BY their independ-
ent State soFsreiguties, separately, or in
combination. Their action is invested with
all the ssnctity and obligation Of law.
Uis ths sTowea determination Of The Uni
ted States Government to arrest this move
usnt by force. Ia this purpose g is said 10
Be sustained and encouraged BY the unani-
nous sentiment ana action Of all the Northern
States. The pubiir journals, private letters,
and the reports % visitors, all concur in The
fnformstion which they bring 10 us-theY IA
sneak the same language, that it is the Fixed
and unalteFsbls resolve Of the North, BY the
ennlovms1t Of every disposabls force which
money. fnhuencs, power, ailurement, or ap-
nsais 10 the lowest and worst passions Of hH-
nan nature ear con nand, TO crush efsctualiY
and forever what It is pleased 10 denominats
the spirit Of rebellion in The South, and to stop
Al no mint short Of the entire suhiugatiOu or
uttrr srtermlnaEiou Of its whole white popu
latiou. The character Of The war 70 be wsgei
RrsinSf us II we may credit your own presses,
Il 10 be divested Of all those attributes In its
urozsc6tion which civilized nations recognize
ag biuaing upon the moral sense Of al people
aBd E0Vsrnmsnts, to mitigate its evils and
aiisViate &c uissries, The brutal passions OF
men whose trade it iE 70 prey upon TIE pro-
nsrtv OF ihslr neighboTs and escape the
clutches Of the police Of yosr ciiies-tbe
ferocifv Of wTgtches whose consriences have
beea aenred bv familiarity with crime, and
IFhoss hands have been stained with the blood
Of murder snd msnslsug1ters are 70 be inFok-
"a 70 execute re behesis of a Government
i A. d J 80 n H-I.er - Z