The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1861-06-13


Union. is among the many happy fruits
frmness Of purpose, efficiency of action,
and integrity of mission. / believe, in
deed, It will not require a personal inter
change of views. as suggested in your dis
patch, to bring our minds in accordance;
simple statements Of the facts will suf
fee.
But l am to act hereafter. it may be. in
an enemy's country, among servile pop
ulation, when the question may arise, as
il has not arisen. as well in moral and
Christian and military point OF view.
What shall then do? Will ycu Excel
leDcy bear with .re a moment while the
question is discussed.
| appreciate fully your Excellcney's
suggestion as TO the Inherent weakess of
the rebels, raising from the preponder-
anee Of their serviie population. The
question then is. in what manner shall we
lake advantage Of that weakness By al
lowing, and of course arming that popula-
ton, to risen upon the defenseless woman
and children of the country, carrying ra-
pine arson end murier--all the horrors Of
San Domingo. a million of times magifed.
among tnose whom We hope TO reunite
with us as brethren. many of whom are al
ready so. and all who are worth preserv-
ing. will be, when this horrible madness
shall have passed away or be thrashed out
of them? Would your Exeellency advise
the troops under my command TO make
war ia person upon the defenseless wo-
Ira nf 9 M
accom- panied by the brutaliles TOO horri-
bic to be named? You will say, God
Forbid" Ii We may not do so in person.
shall we arm others SO to do, over whom
we can have no restrain exercise no con
troll, and who. when once they tasted
blood. many turn the very arms we put in
their hands against ourselves, as part of
of history so familiar to your ExceIlency.
will tell you the bitterest cause of com
plant which cur fathers had against Great
Britain in the war of the revolution was
the arming bv the British Ministry of ihe
red man with the tomahawk
hawk and the sclaping knife against the
woman and children of the colonies, SO
that the phrase. May We not use all the
means which God nature have put in our
power to subjugate the colonies?" has
passed into legend of intamy against the
leader Of that Ministry who used it in Par
lament. Shall history teach us in vain?
Although with arms in our hands amidst
the savage wildn ,ss of Camp and field, we
may have blunted many of the fner moral
sensibiities.in letting loose four millions OF
worse than savages upon the homes and
hearths of the South, can we be justified to
the Christian community Of MASSACHUSETTS?
Would such course be consonant with
the teaching Of our holy religion | have
a very decided opinion upon the subject,
and if any one desires as know as your
Excellency does not,this unhaPy contest 10
be prosecuted in tha; manner, some in
other than myself must be found |
to carry in on. may discuss the polti- I
cal bearings of This topic When | went
from under the shadows of my roof. | left I
AL politics behind me, to be resumed only /
when every part of the Union is loyal to
the flag, and the potency of the Govern
ment through the ballot box is establish /
ed.
Passing he neral and Christian view.
let us uxamine the subject as military
question. net that State already subju
gated which requires the baycnents of
those armed in position TO it rules. to
preserve it from the horrors of servile /
war? As the leastexperienced Of military
men, would have no doubt OF the entire
subj CATION of State brought into that
condition. When, therefore unless | /
am better advised-any community in the |
United States even in the prosecution of "A ,
rebelious war in an honorable manner.
shall. call upon me for protection against
the nameless horrors of "a servile insurrec-
ton. they shall have it and from the mo-
ment that call is obeyed. have no doubt
We shall bs friends and rot enemies.
The possibilities that dishonorable means
defense are to be taken by the rebels
against The Government, do not con,em.
plate. If, AS has been done ia single in
stance. my men are to be attacked by
poison. OF as in another. stricken down by
The assass's knife. and thus murdered, the
community using such weapons may be
required to be taught that it holds within
IS own border a more potent means for
deadly purposes and indiscriminats slaug
han and which it can administer TO us.
Trustion that tlese views may meet
your Excellency's approval. | have the
honor to be. very respectfully. your obe-
iience servant. BENZ. +. BUrLER.