Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-14
joys district in that state Mr.. Govejoy is
reelected by 260 majority.
Archbishop Hughes.

'iSms VI tie pISsSHl aspect VI poHliCdl dudiFS
Passing over the personal compliments with
which the letter begins, he says:
before the outbreak of this melancholy
civil war, it is known to you, my dear govern
or, that L foresaw the coming calamity.
wrote to distinguished persons in the south,
praying and beseeching that they should ex-
erclSe their influence for the perpetuation of
peace, or rather against the disruption of the
Union. In my own sphere in New York l
left nothing undone to soothe bitter prejudice,
especially on the part OF abolitionists, with
view, and even the hope, that the domestic
strife which has since overtaken us might be
arrested and turned aside. 1t is just one
year and eight days since it was desired, by
Geographic communication, that should visit
the city of Washington on public business. l
obeyed the summons. | spoke my mind free
ly. 1t was thought that, in the perils of the
nation at that time; | could be useful in pro-
noting the interests of the Commonwealth
and of humanity if l would consent to go to
Europe and exercise whatever little influence
| might possess in preventing France and
England from intermeddling in our sad quar-
rel. 1t has no doubt escaped your memory
that, during the fourteen or fifteen hours
which | spent in Washington, / declined the
acceptance Of ighGt Ic0uld be TO persons not Of
my rank a great honor. l did not absolutely
refuse before deciding, but | wished to con.
suit one or two persons very near and dear to
me in New York. Finally, at the very last
hour, there was a word uttered to me, not by
any special member of the cabinet to which
you belonged, but by the authority which it
possesses, to the effect that my acting as had
been suggested was personal request and
would he considered as personal favor. In
1o,.ilaI tl,of
ing anybody, should embark as a volunteer
to accomplish what might be possible on the
other side of Atlantic in favor of the country
to which belong"
OF what transpired under his observation
in Europe, he gives the following sombre &C
count =
Il am net certain that any word, or act, or
influence a mine has had the slightest effect in
preventing either England or France from
plunging into the unhappy divisions that have
threatened the union of these once prosperous
states. On the other hand, may say that no
day--nO hour even-was spent in Europe, in
which did not, according to opportunity, la
Dor for peace between Europe and America.
SO far that peace has not been disturbed.
BIT let Anlerica be prepared. There is no
lore for the United States on the other side of
the HGter. Generally speaking, on the other
side Of the AHantic, the United States are ig-
no'ed, If not despiSed j; treated in conversa-
ton in the same contemptuouS language as we
might employ toward the inhabitants of the
Sandwich Islands, or Washington Territory,
or NancOuyer's Island, or the settlement of
the Red River, or Of the Hudaon's Bay Terri
tory. This may be considered very unpol.
llshed, almost unchrisuan, language proceed
ing from the pen of a Catholic archbishop.
But, my dear governor, it is unquestionably
true, and [ am sorry that it is so. If you, in
Washington, are not able to defend yourselves
in case of need, do not see where or from
what source you can expect friendship or pro-
lection"
When peaceful measures ceased to be avail
ing she had urged vigorous prosecution of
our melancholy war, so that one side or the
other should find itself in the ascendancy."
To this end he suggested two methods first,
conscription; second, greatly increased mil
itary force. His present letter closes as fol-
lows =
''Ihe reason that operated and still operates
on my mind in favor of this view Of humanity,
as compared or in contrast with the other, is,
that so far as my knowledge of history war
rants a conclusion, the most humane battle, in
any military strife, whether of a foreign or a
domestic character, has been invariably the
battle which put an end to the war. If there
were any possible means of settling our do
mestc strife in a peaceful and bloodess man
ner, hope you will believe that no one in
| TINS country is, or can be, more prepared to
aid in bringing about such result. As it is,
however, consider myself as perfectly use
less in such an enterprise, though by no