The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1862-06-18
An Able and Eloquent Letter
FROM THE
Hon. WILLIAM DUER.

FROM THE
Hon. WILLIAM DUER.
formerly an influential Whig member of
Congress from that State, and latterly a
Constitutional Union man, has written an
able and eloquent letter upon the condi-
ton of the country, which we find in the
New York Express. He writes in re-
sponse to an invitation to consult with a
committee appointed by the Union party
organization
HON. wM. DUER ON UNION FOR THE UNION.
s'ss5 7eI OswEGo, May Is, 1862
My DEAR SiR:-I have received your
letter inviting me to meet yourself and
other gentlemen constituting committee
appointed by certain members of the Leg
islature designated as Republican and
Union members" with authority, after
consultation with committees Of other or
-ganizations, to fix the time and place for
holding State Convention for the nonli-
llation OF State officers. / will give you
the reasons why think it proper to de-
leline the invitation
The members of the Legislature, by
whom the committee was appointed with
which you inv te me consult, adopted an
address and resolutions declaring certain
principles and inviting to a convention
which they recommend, .'All Republicans,
Union Democrats, and other loyal citizens
supporters of the policy of the Admins
tration and responding to the principles
and policy set forth in such address and
resolutions. ~ e
gleI can not call myself ga supporter of
the policy of the Administration, and I
do not ssrespond to the principles and
policy set forth in the address and>resolu-
sions,s and, therefore, though a loyal citi-
Zen, am not embraced within this invita-
ton ssssssS,e alii
glssI am ready, indeed to support the Ad
ministration in the prosecution of the war
4 for the preservation of our Constitutional
Union, and L know that to this policy the
President is pledged by numerous acts
..andsacclarations, the sincerity of which
lido, not question. But whether he will
adhere to these pledges in spite of thai
powerful influence in his party which is
seeking to convert the war into an aboli
,ation war, is vet to be proved. lie has al
ready recommended an important meas
,ure, which, in my judgment, is impoliti,
and .unwarranted by the Constitution
With respect to the vital questions tha
remain, regard the policy of the Ad
sministration,p as somewhat un6xed ant
,-uneertain, and until / see more cleari,
what it is, / am unable to call myself it
sssssupporter.'''
hss But laying aside the objection which
does not seem to emharrass Republican
swho are the opponents of the policy t.
which the President is pledged, let u
consider the proposed union upon it's mer
Its. Is it expedient, and will it promot,
the public welfare, to unite with the Re
publican party upon the principles of tn,
leyislotive address and resolutions, for tn,
. purpose of defeating the Democratic par
aty of this State at the approaching elec
4stion? This is the question.
-ssaA year ago, when the country was il
himminent danger, the Republicans Of N
Yorkand of the other States invited Dem
ocrats and all other loyal men to lay aside
partisan controversy and unite with them
I'M the support,of the war for the preserv-
alton of the Constitution and the Union
No other other motive or purpose for the
war was then heard from the leaders Of tn
tRepublican party, or indeed any quarter
having the slightest influence upon publi
opinion sss @il $50
% fnTRe messages and speeches Of the Pres
aident; the prociamations of his General
spfcdging the public faith to@the people Q
the invaded States, and of which his mer
silence was an approval and confirmation
atheffesolutions Of Congress; passed almos
unanimously, only two Republicans vo
ting against them in the House of Repre-
sentatives; the language of the press am
Of popular meetings-all united in de
claring that the war was to be prosecute
not to subjugate the South, nor to chang
Southern institutions, nor to depriv
Southern men of their property or rights
but simply to establish the authority G
the Constitution over all the States Sue
were the appeals and assurances unde
which the war commenced. But whe
we had half million of men in arm.
when our. armies were filed with Demo
sncrats and others who volunteered to figh
for this cause and not for Abolition
when Maryland, Kentucky and Missouri