Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1862-08-21
letter from the Democratic League to Gen.
Ruuter


iuuter.
The following letter from the Executive Commit.
tee of the Democratic League oftLis City was sent
to Cen Hunter yesterday.
NV YoRK, Aug. {, 1862.
kaj. Gen. Healer. Port Royal, s. c:
DEIR Sir: The undersigned, the Executive Com.
mlI'ee OF the Democratic League of his CITY, ten
der you their respects, as well a. thinks ior the
stand taken BY you i'll your late letter to Rev. DR.,
Tying.
Inc COMMITTEE appreciate your force of reasoning
ana Inc ncccSaty Of decided policy on the part Of
me UoVeTnmett' the people and military authorities
The conflict now going on is = broader one than is
commonly Imagined. 1t is lepgue on the one
hand between Shareholders allied with Eutopean ar
lstocracy to dcnatlonallzc republican government in
large portion Of the United States; on the other
hand 1t Is the democratic principle in tbs free GOV
eminent struggling sgainst the combined antago.
hlsnE OF privileged class, in ordeIio maintain its
sScsndancy IN the entire Union. This is the grent
issue, und all other matters are merely incident,I
agencies to work out the result upon the main
question
1t was truly said by Mr. Garnet, of Vircinia in q
letter to Mr. Prescott, Of South Carolina written in
1901: " You well object to the term democracy.
democracy IN Its original and philosophical scntc
is, indeed, mc"mpsibl. with Slavery, and the Who'll.
system oil Southern society" This declaration ON,
bracSs the platform Of the Southern rebellion. II
constituted the entire base of reasoning that started
the sGeds of rebellion into growth and which in tho
space Of thirty years nurt IrSd treason into cuImina
ton. The political Adventures and shareholders
South and the more intelligent portion of the peope
North, understand thus question alike. Were il
generally and well understood, there would be little
difficulty IN settling the question at once through the
ar5ItTament OF prePondcrLting force. Ifthe twenty
SIX or seven millions composing the mass of free
labor North aud South understood the question in
Its true light the whole matter would be disposed of
with little more CtlusiOn OF blood. Its settlement
would also rSsutln rmer and better establishment
Of the principles OF free G.vcrnmcnt.
Slavery rpCtuatlon through the abroSations oF 3,
GoVcrnnsnt Of majOriticS is the platform of the
so-callcd Confederate Government. The idsa ~
slavery PsrpStudtion upon the ruins and prostraton
OF the democratic principle is the stimulating virus
that Is now sustaining the desperate efforts of the
Southern conspiracy. Whether We are fighting 10
preserve the cause OF tIe rebellion, while attempting
to crush the rebellion itself; whether we are fighting
10 MAINTAIN human bondage, while rebels are making
the continuation OF such bondage the cause of war
ars questions that now seem pertinent Ii we are
hghtlng to maintain the demo ratio principle shall
we succeed best by unfolding or by overthrowing its
anlagonlSms II seems To that your letter con-
talns cG"r and concise yisw of the question We
much fear that nothing but the increased effusion of
blood growing out of the present confusion in the
public mind, will bring ths people to unannty as 20
The direction OF the blows which must be struck be.
fore this warfare closes.
With ardent wishes for the welfare of the countrv
and many personal regards to YOURSELF we are very
truly yOnrs, &C.
Chas. r Kirkland, John j. Speed
Thomas Ewbank, George 2. Nesons
Henry O'Reilly Henry c. Gardiner
Lorenzo Sherwood, Pierrepont Isham,
Executive Committee.