Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1862-04-02

! VII. Another that kept Union men IN
the South neutral or quiet, was the convic-
ton that sectional war at some time or 9TH
cr was inevitable. The argument on both
sides seemed exhausted. "Let them fight,
and settle it in that way" was an expression
not uncommon. The Democratic presses and
orators of the South were 50 given to lying,
that it was given up as hopeless task to at
tempt to vindicale our Nortlen brethren
from their assaults. 1t was natural we should
be glad to have them vindicate themselves by
arms. Our only regret is that this war in
wolves the innocent with the guilty in its ca
lamities.
VII. I do not write often for the press,
and while ana at it, want to whisper a
word in thine ear-in thine especially. It Is
this; Let Slavery alone TIL this arar Be orsr
I detest slavery as cordially as you or Charles
Sumner-perhaps more, for have passed al
my life in the very midst of it. We Union
men South are willing that Slavery shall take
the legitimate consequences of the war; that,
in so far as niggers are in the way ofsuppres-
sing the rebellion, niggers must be put out Of
the way; hat slavery shall perish, rather
than Union Liberty. But
But we Southern Unionists can never ogree
that Slavery shall be abolished, and yet mig
gers not be removed from among US. You
advocate a free niger barbarianism for the
South. "No more O. that, Hal, an thou low
est usr'
N Three propositions are clear to my
mind: First-The abolition of slavery al this
time by any means is an absolute impossi5ili-
ty. Second-The advocacy Of an indiseri,ni-
nate abolition Of slavery throughout the South
by loyal presses and Congressman tends only
to strengthen the rebellion by inflriating and
enlarging its soldiery, and driving othsr as
good Union men from the support Of the Ad-
ministration. And third-An attempt by the
Federal Government to abolish slavery gen
orally viii be a virtual proclamation Of end
less dissolution, the death-knell Of the Rcpub-
lie; for the simple reason that You can never
conquer consolidated South with divided
North. With the North unit and the South
divided we have her hands full Reverse the.
positions, the case would be hopeless
X. know you think nigger-holderS ne
cossarily disloyaL deny it We inherited
the institution, and deplore it as a great social
and political misfortune, of which at some
period we hope to get rid. But when we
hear such men as Horace Greeley and Dr.
Beecher denounce the South as 4" devils
den 5nd 81 men reared in a slave State as
worthless and shinIess, we wonder why you
desire o Union with U.S. No: the business
now before US is to put down the rebellion
punish the rebels by coufscation, banishmcnt.
or death, restore the Union; re-establ:sh die
Constitution; enforce the laws; and unGlrl
the National banner from all the rGmparts Of
the Republic, IS in the times gone by. Is it
not our Union, our country, oar Constitution, |
and laws, and flag, as much as yours? Are
you warning on the South, or the rebels that
are in it?
AL L write 10 encourage the national /
patriotism, by assuring the national heart that
there is a Union element South strong enough |
to elect Federal Congressman and loyal Leg
sla;ures. as soon as the present despo,ism
there shall be dissolved; and that IS soon IS
Union men there can command the mails and
presses for concert of action, and can get arms,
they viii help to free themselves,
lam, Sir, very respectfully,
Your very obedient servant,
WlL s. SPEER, Of Tennessee.
Jefferson Hotel, n. Y. City, Feb. IS, 1852 /
No, SirI You never heard any such |
thing! Thomas Jefferson may have said what
amounts to this in his "Notes on Virgins" !
but not Dr. Beecher nor II. G.
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