The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1862-06-11
Hon. Vim. Duer OF New York, on Union for
the Union.
OswE0o, Nav

|
MY DEAR Sir 81 have received your let
Ter inviting me 20 meet yourself and other
gentlemen constituting a commIttee ap.
pointed by certain members of The Legis.
laIure designated as "Republican and Union
MEMBERS" with authority, after consulta
iion with committees OF other Organizations
10 fix ;ne time and place for holding Stale
Convention for the nomination of State of
dcers. ] will give you the reason why
think il proper to decline this invitation.
The members of the Legislature by whom
the committee was appointed with which
you invite me TO consult, adopted an ad.
dress and resolutions declaring certain prin-
ciPles and inviting to convention which
they recommend, all Republicans, Union
Democrats, and other loyal citizens suppor-
ters OF the policy OF the Administrator and
responding TO the principles and policy" set
forth in such address and resolutions.
! I cannot call myself "a supporter of The
policy of the administration" and ! do not
"respond 10 the principles and policy set
forth in the address and resolutions" and,
therefore. though loyal citizen, am not
embraced within this invitation.
am ready indeed, 10 support the Ad-
minstraiion in the prosecution OF the war
for the preservation of our Constitutional
Union, and know that 10 this policy The
President is pledgedby numerous acts and
declarations, the sincerity of which do
not question. But whether he will adhere
I 10 these pledges in spite of that powerful
influence in his own party which is seeking
to convert the war into abolition war, is
ye. to be proved. He has already recon
mended an important meas ure which in my
judgement is impolitic and unwarranted by
The Constitution. With respect to the vital
questions that remain | regard the policy
OF the Administration y as somewhat unfix-
ed and uncertain, and until see more clear
ly what il is, | am unable 10 call myself its
supporter.
But laying aside this objection which
does mol seem 10 embarrass Republicans
who are the open opponents Of the policy
20 which the President is pledged, lei Us
consider the proposed union upon it's merits.
Is ii expedient, and will il promote the
pubic welfare 10 unite with The Repubi-
can party upon the principles OF the legis-
laiive address aud resolutions, for the pnr-
pose OF defeating The Democratic party OF
this Safe al the approaching elecilonl That
[ is the question.
A year ago when the country was In i'm.
minent danger the Republicans of New
York aud OF other States invited Democrats
and all other loyal men to lay aside pari
zan controversy and unite with them in the
support of :he war for the preservation of
The Constitution and Union. No other mo-
tive or purpose for the war was then heard
from the leaders oil the Republican party or
indeed in any quarter having the slightest
influence upon public opinion.
The messages AMI speeches OF the Presi-
dent, the proclamation of his Generals
pledging The public faith 10 The people OF
the invaded States, and of which his mere
silence was an APPROVAL and confirmation,
the resolutions of Congress passed almost
unanimously, only two Republicans voting
against them 10 the House of Representa-
tives; the language of the press and OF pop
ular meeiings-alI united in declaring that
the war was TO be prosecuted not 10 subju-
gate the South, nor 10 change Southern in
sliiuiuto3s, nor to deprive Southern men
of their property or rights, but simply TO es
tabIish the authority of the Constitution over
all the States. Such were the appeals and
assurances under which The war commen-
ced. But when we had half q million Of
men in arms when our armies were filled
with Democrats and Others who volunteer
ed 10 fight for this cause and not for aboli-
lion, when Maryland, Kentucky, and Mis-
souri, relying upon our promises, had sent
loyal men TO Congress, opened their terrific
| ries to our troops and placed themselves in
| our power-then first we heard, that sla-
| very being the cause Of the war, slavery
must be destroyed. Ii is notorious, that a,
this day large portion Ito say the lea-t) of
The Republican party Tepudisie these
pledges and trample even on their Chicago
platform They are the open advocates OF
| the abolition OF in the States, and OF mea-
sures OF con6scalion so sweeping and re-
lentess that their like has not been known
since the days of William the Conqueror-
| They have theories, several theories. Some
of them maintain that the seeded States
are ont of the Union, and therefore have
| no rights. They sdop; the doctrine OF Sc
cessioa, attaching 10 it consequence that
enhances It's absurdity. The States they
say, are gone as States. but remain as Ter
! ritories, subjec, TO absolute power. This is
/ the theory OF Mr. Sumner. II is the theory
adopted by great meeting in the city OF
| New York, over which son of Alexander
Hamilton presided. Others derive the
power 20 abolish slavery from a different
source. l. may be done. they say, by The
war power Who can bound the war pow
| er? And 10 what a miserable state must
! - b., rc.l..,.ad .rh..., I'LL h.,