Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-10-25
CoMMoNwEALTn OF MAssAcHrsEIIs}

Executive Department, Boston, Oct %, 1881
| To Daniel HenSh0W, Esq, Boston My
dear Sir-In reply to your note, which was
received this evening, l have the honor to say
that the loyal governors who met at Altoona
on the oath OF September last were called to-
! gether by the joint invitation of the governors
of Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, by tele-
grams, of which the following are copies, and
l annex also copies of my replies:
"HARRIsBURGH, Sept. 6, (via New York;
| To Governor AHdreiC Boston:
In the present emergency would it not be well
that the loyal governors should meet at some point
in the border states to take measures for the more
| active support of the government? An immediate
reply is requested. that as early day as possible
may be named tor the meeting, if approved.
(Sgned) A. e. CURTIN"
BosToN, Sept. g. 1862
To Goternor Curtin HarriSbugh, Pa (pia New York y
Should any meeting be called will attend.
COLUMBUS, o. Sept. IA, 1862.
| To Cor. AHdreV:
We invite a meeting of the governors of the loyal
states to be held at Altoona, Pa, on the oath inst
| Please reply to Gov, Curtin.
(Signed) ANDREW CURTIN,
| DAVID TOP,
+. ii. PIERPoNT."
Boston, Sept To- 1852
To Cor. A. G. Curtin, Harrisbmgh, Pa:
have received your invitation and accept it.
(SigHed) JOHN =. ANDREW,
Governor of Massachusetts.
The meeting was one which whether as
citizens or as magistrates, we had right to
hold. And in the discharge of our duties,
many of which connected with the military
service of the United States, (whose govern
ment relies wholly on the states for the rails
ing and recruitment of the army are difficult
and complicated, it is easy to perceive how
mutual consultation might be advantageous.
1t is even more easy to see how natural it was
for the governors of Ohio, Virginia and Penn
sylvania, at the time this invitation was issued,
to feel the grave Importance to their own
states of lively and efficient support from
every quarter to the national cause. Nor do
| suppose that any person has ever doubted
the propriety of the conduct of the governor
of Massachusetts in joining the consultation
of governors, except the very persons who
were swift to observe and exclaim that his
name did not appear with the names of many
other governors on a certain petition to the
president last July. And had not the presi-
dents proclamation of freedom appeared as it
did, Gust one day before our meeting sadly
disappointing certain gentlemen, who had
rightly declared it great merit and public
duty to stand by the president, and had the
Altoona conference been held and its address
published without my name or presence, l
have no manner of doubt that | should have
my slowness to unite with the conservative
governors who summoned us to Altoona in
helping to strengthen the arm of the president
and to increase his disposable force. As it
was, those gentlemen were disturbed. They
were cut off from making war on the presi-
| dent, by their own recent avowals and declar-
| ations. But it was desirable that somebody
should be abused. was the republican can
ddate for a reelection; | was a supporter of
the presidents proclamation and policy; was
the most convenient scapegoat and so they
took me- | believe judge Parker indicted me
before his convention for causing the presi-
dents proclamation, by going to Altoona the
day after it was printed. And presume that
Mr.. SaltUnstal introduced the supposed proof
| that imagined the removal of Gen. McClel-
Ian, as evidence in support Of judge Parker'S
Indictment For since judge Parker seems to
have reversed the order of cause and effect
in the making of his allegation, l can SEE no
way of supporting it save by similar middle
of logic, and the confusion of truth with its
opposite.
And now, my dear sir, the sober truth is
simply this LIST. read the presidents pro-
clamation in print on the morning of the 23d,
with as much surprise as judge Parker did,
though perhaps with more pleasure. I'd.
did not, either formally or informally, directly
or indirectly, at any time, move or suggest
that the governors should interfere with the
position of Major General Mcclellan, or of
any other officers of the army or navy. Nor
do | believe that any such motion was pro-
posed by any one else. | heard none what
ever concerning that or any other general.
| But, if you ask how so great blunder has
been made, can only reply that when people
seek to make point against their neighbors
by sort Of eaves-dropping, by attempting to
penetrate the private conversations of gentle
men, and to betray their confidential speech
great laundering, if not something worse, will
always be close at hand. They will usually
contrive to reportju what they hoped to hear
| have written this letter with some fulness
and with entire freedom. Your venerable
character and long devotion to the cause of
good and just principles, had right to COM
mand me. But now l beg leave to remark,
LIST. That | utterly deny the moral right of
gentlemen to carry on political controversies
| by trying to penetrate private circles and to
promulgate private conversations, which can
not affect the community unless made public.
I'd. That the gentlemen in question need not
| have sent to third person to find out what |
said at Altoona. l could have told them my
self, if they had asked me. And they know
me well enough to know that | am accustom.
ed to act openly, without disguise or conceal
ment, and when convinced what ought to do,
without much hesitation.
In conclusion, cannot but regret the ten
dency observe to Obtrude matters mainly
personal upon the attention Of the people. 1t
is the great cause Of democratic, constitutional