American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1862-12-19
CHESTNUT HIT, YEAR PHILADELPHIA,
Nnrcu1hrr eth IQl.a

November 9th, 1862
GExTLEMEx: Nothing would give me more
pleasure than 10 unite in the festival in hon
or of the recent victory in Pennsylvania but
the short notice, and some personal consid-
erations with which need not tronble YOU,
prevent il. Let me hope that before long |
may congratulate you the fruit of this po-
Htlcal success in the restoration of the func-
tions of Constitutional Government at the
North, and an honorable peace. 1t is my
firm belief that the paramount wish of the
masses of the North is for peace-though
timidity, or considerations-mistak in my
opinion-of expediency, prevent them from
saying so. 1t has been part of the policy of
the Administration to crush out this craving
of a common humanity, and to deuounee
traitors those who think as | do, that blood
enough has been shed already. This has
been acquiesced in too long. There are
thousands who think with me, whose prop
erty is endangere industry is par
Zed-fathers and mothers who pray
ing anxiously for the return of their children
from the battlefield, waiting for the stern
doom that takes from them those who
left at home. This prayer will soon find ut
4 terauce-and the community, wear of war
and bloodshed-weary of debt ana taxation,
of the ta1-collector and the recruiting ser
4 geant-weary of the ambulance of the
wounded and the hearse of the dead-will
bail with ecstacy beyond control the hour
when flags of permanent truce shall be dis
played at Washington and Richmond. / am
old enough to remember the peace of 1915,
and the JOY it excited but it was nothing
! in comparison with what ours will be when
this brothers war is over.
! When peace comes-or before it comes-if
the madness of those in power prolongs this
dreary confiict-will come the day of respon-
/ sibiiity-; and part Of the duty of the Demo-
cratic party will be to enforce this stern ac-
! ba of taft nj
Harrisburg will be strictly the Grand Inquest
of this Commonwealth, and it will have work
enough on hand. On it will devolve the
duty to inquire into the conduct of this war
so far Pennsy lvania is concerned, and to
know if her authorities have been faithful to
their local trust. The bitter cry of the Ro-
man Emperor for his lost legions is echoed
by p Pennsylvania asking why her gallant re-
serves sacrificed and cut to pieces on
distant tle-felds, and her own frontier left
open to invasion and insult Gen. Stuart 5
: uuresisted raid through two of the most
populous and loyal counties of Pennsylvania,
, circIing as he did in defiance near the capital
of the State is to the authorities the most
disgraceful incident of this war. 1t was
bloodless nv mere accident. 1t was not the
less discreditable because il bloodless
2 But another outrage on the dignity and the
sovereignty of the State demands inquiry
/ and redress. On the 9Th of August last 8
Notwithstanding to be Military Governor o.
f the District of Columbia, came, with guard
to the capital of this State, and, without
j authority of law, in the middle of the night
seized and dragged from their beds, directly
D under the eve of the Governor and his cabi-
= net, four respectable and, as the event
/ proved innocent citizens of Pennsylvania
E They were incarcerated in distant prison
: and finally discharged without an accusation
= or an aecuser; and for them, our own imme
\ diate fellow citZens, no word of remon'
A STRANGE or even intercession was uttered by
f the Executive or his advisers.
f Had no other cause for rejoicing Mt tht
4 restoration of Democracy to Legislative pow
err in this State. find it in the prospect o
a inquiry and, if need he. punishment, of those
whose neglect and indifference have inflicted
these kindred ignomnies on an ancien
Commonwealth where the step of invasion
. has not been felt for more than seventy years
. and where personal liberty, as secus led b,
law has never before been violated.
You will, am sure, excuse these sugges
: tions for the future. Something may b'
t pardoned to freedom of speech suddenly re
: stored.
e | have the honor to be. gentlemen, yer.
. respectfully, your obedient servant,
4 WIN. B. REED.
e To Messrs Ancona. Getz, Boyer, Moye
t and Fillman, Committee.