Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-05-26
GOV. Andrews Letter.

The letter OF Gov. Andrew to the secretary
ufwar, which rumor misrepresented and made
the occasion OF some unfriendly comment APP
pears another column. Its publication fur
nisheS sufficient answer, as far as MasSachu-
sets is concerned, to the two principal false
hoods which have found currency since it was
written; lSt. That the governor OF one of
the New England states had fatty refused to
call out additional troops, and I'd, that Gov
Andrew had made the adoption of Gen. Hum
ter's policy the condition of further aid TO the
government. Neither of these assumptions,
seized upon by his political opponents with
such extraordinary avdity, finds any jnstifica-
ton in the letter itself. He answers the in
quiry Of the war department, as a patriotic
governor should do, with proper regard for
the safety and comfort of the volunteers he is
expected to furnish. No one who means to
be reminded and reasonable conld desire
him to say less than that they should be sup
Piled with arms and equipments like former
regiments, or expect that he should complete
three or four regiments this busy season, in
less than forty days. Could any one under
the most favorable circumstances, do more or
better than this?
After expressing his readiness to aid the gov
eminent with more troops as promptly as pos
slble, the governor takes occasion to free
his mind in regard to the Importance of fir
ing at 1.-The enemy's magazine" and adopting
sterner policy in dealing with the rebels. If
he had made the adoption of his views the
condition on which he would furnish such
aid, there would be room for criticism. The
people Of Massachusetts mean to do all in
their power to put down this rebellion, at any
rate. They have entire confidence in presi-
dent Lincoln, and Gov. Andrew himself would
be among the first to dcnounce any attempt
to force his views on the government by with
holding aid until they were adopted. He
states his wniconvictions and expresses what
Is felt by vast numbers of people in the loyal
states. \ few months hence, when the presi.
dent himself shall have been compelled tt
put IN execution the policy against the blacl
arm of the rebellion, of which he has twic,
gwen unmistakeable assurances, it will be
matter of establishment that the views ex
pressed in this letter could ever have bee
seriously questioned. They are already en
tertained by the masses Of of the people {
New England and letters received from ever
section Of the far south indicate that they Al
entertained by no inconsiderablr portion
their troops in the field.
1t Is desirable that the government shou
understand the sentiment of the people q
whom it relies. That office Gov. Andrew
with the frank ingenuousness of statcmer
which is peculiar 10 him. has performed fc
Massachusetts; and for that he should II
ceive applause rather than censurc Unrea
sonable and wicked Difference to the slav
power has long enough been allowed to wor
injury to the republic. That like all othe
things which favor the rebellion. must civ
way to the public safety. Difficulties whic
seemed as formidable as this one, fe,
months ago, are difficulties no longer; AM
this, too, if the war continues, will share thei
fate. Still, in the noble words of Whittier,
Our Marah's bitter springs
Are Sweetened; grounds OF grief
Rise day by day i'll strong relief
The prophecies OF better thngs'