The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1861-09-13
Letter from Gen. Rutler.
Y. s.. STEAM FRio,rE MrsssxorA,
OF Cane Hattefas, August 81, 1861 4

on Cape Halleras, August 81, lsei.'
DEAR FRIESD:-l have received
your note. Hs well as those OF many
others Of my true friends in Msssa-
chusetts. asking my opinion about
political questions, and some kindly
suggesting my name as u candidate
for GovernUr ut the ensuing election
i reply to you as representing them
all because our intimacy will per
init more frankness than would seem
meet toward those less closely con
nected.
As | have stated to You, and as
have publicly repeated, when | left
home, | left alf politics, in a party
sense Of the term. behind me, and ]
now know no politics in any sense
save as represented by the question:
How best to preserve the Union and
restore the country in its integrity
Peace is desirable to all, and to none
more 80 than the Soldier who has
LEFT his friends and bis home to dc
his duty to his country.
But however desirable, 1t is moi
to bo purchased upon any terms,
save the recognition Of fthe authority
Of the federal government over every
inch OF territory which ever belonged
to It. Upon no condition whatever
other than this, would ] consent tc
peace. A peace involving the dis
integration OF the Union, or unit
the supremacy OF the government il
forever establised. would be simply
n de claration Ol perpetual war ol
sections.
Were the Southern Confederacy
to-day acknowledged in the fulness
of good faith, two months would not
elapse before causes OF war would
arise, suificient1not only to Justify
but to demand a renewal Of the con
ilict. No two months have passe
in the last ten years at least, in which
outragcs nave not been committed
upon Northern men in the South
which, hud they been perpetratec
by foreign nation, would have dc
msnded a redress Of grievances. un
der pain Of suspension Of dlplo
matte relations.
But we have borne these outragei
because there was no tribunal to tn,
arbitrament Of which we could sub
NIT them, and it was against The
genius OF our people to appeal tC
arms Therefore | see with pain up
on the part of some o! those will
whom | have acted in political or
ganizations n disposition 20 advocat,
peaceful settlements wherein ther,
can be no peace. Therefore, thi,
war must 90 on, not for the purpos,
OF subjugation, bat, if those whC
have commenced it bring upoI
themselves that condition as an in
ci 'ent, it will only be another illus
tration of the fruit Of sowing tn,
wind. Beside these, there are II,
other politics.
On the matter of the nomination
| cannot consent that my nam,
shall be used by any party. Will,
on some things, as you arc aware,
do not agree with the principles mp
on which both the stnte and na.iona
administrations were inaugurated
vet we are long way past that
The Republican party having wor
political victory, both in the stat,
and tho nation, is entitled to the
patriotic endeavor OF every man t.
Civ" ita fair trial in the a,hninis
tration of the government, and il
that it should, as it does, t.ke tn,
lead in official positions.
And now there is left nothnl
for us to contend against, save any
corruption, inefliciency or impropr
ETY. Of administration, which | doub
not would at once be rebuked a,
well by Republicans as by Demo
Gratis. But as far as regards the per
sonnel OF administration in he state
| believe Governor Andrew has en-
deavored faithfully, zealonSly anc
efficiently to pnt our commonwealth
on the side OF the nation, and t.
sustain the Union. therefore, io
eneugyqn'h, onGhretfave, aeuSaeu :
doubt not the people will Cemant
changes in some Of the minor Of
fees.
do not cay that | would vote 70
Governor Andrew, but were | a
home | would not vote against him
Let it be understood that withOu
distinct n OF party, and wilhou
raising party issues, all men wh,
love the Union, are determined t
stand by it AMI the country unit
this rebellion shall be qnell,d, an,
then we may hereafter divide a
we please upon the minor difference
Of administration Of government.
To you, my dear friend, | need n
justification for this course. Yo
will appreciate it, for you are awsr
of sacrifice both Of feeling and {
position, made yoar ago, in til
earnest endeavors to save tho coun
try from this calamity, which | the
partly ioresaw, and acting in tn
best light | had, endeavored to pre-
vent. And | am ready to make
like sacrifice now TO repel that whic
then sought to avert. | need l.
tha * you and others olmy friends 70
this among many other kindnesse