Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-10-30
A GREAT DOCUMENT.
Letter from a Life Long Democrat.
opinions of George Bancroft on
the War and National Politics.
New YoRK, Oct. 13, 1862.


NEw YoRk. Oct. 13. 1862.
GES1IEuEs: I am touched with graft
convention of delegates from "the Peoples
Union = ssociations." by an unexpected
and spontaneous vote, 20 nominate me
unanimously as their candidate for repre-
sentative Of the eighth congressional dis
trict. This act receive as coming from
men who awake to the perils that over
hang our beloved country, and who pie eige
themselves as citizens to be governed by
10y atty to the people.
The next Congress will have before it
the most important subjects that ever en-
gagged the attention Of q representative
body since the convention that framed onr
constitution; and yet we seem to await the
day of election with fearful levity or want
of cons iderateness. as though the old meth
ods of preparation. which may prove suf-
fcient in season of unclouded prosperity,
would serve for this hour, when our system
itself is threatened with overthrow. 1t is
heart breaking. after the lavish outpouring
of the blood Of those dearest to us. to con-
template the chances of failure from divis.
ions and wavering in the North. Yet af-
ter we have sent from this city alone troops
enough to constitute a formidable army,
we are advised to manifest at the polls our
consent to disruption OF the country
We send men from every household to the
war; they show in the battle field the most
heroic courage. and yet we are asked to
vote that the war has no object, that we
fight only to retreat with shame If we are
beaten. and to submit with shame if we are
victorious.
The only possible chance for a speedy
end of this war is it's instant anil vigorous
prosecution. Hesitation brings chaos. and
prolongs the strife indefinitely. There
must be one soul in the president. the ar
my, and the people, or the contest will
drag along under the distractions Of con-
flic,ing and uncertain opinions; and the
short sighted desire to gain peace by SUBJ
mission may change it into a seven years
war. or thirty years war, or q war for
generations. Quick, united action can
alone bring it to an early end.
The voice Of the State of New York. as
pronounced in the election, will ring thro'
the civilized world. Shall we not do our
part to make that voice clear for the Union?
Are we to devote all our resources to carry
on the war and then go to the polls to ex-
press the opinion that the war, which cer-
tainly was forced upon US and could not
have been avoided. was Unnecessary and a
mistake? Are the citizens of New York
to be SO inconsistent as to strain every
nerve to gain the mastery in the fell. and
then signify at the polls a readiness to
faint and succomb? When the oligarchy
of the Sonth began the war by wantonly
insulting our flag. this people rose up with
surpassed only by the sublime patience and
moderation with which they bore defeat
and Encouragement, and uncertain guild
ance. Shall we now proclaim that this
zeal was a delusion?
! The tory party of England. all the old
hereditary enemies to the perfect develop
ment of our free institutions, have been
from the beginning eagerly hoping to see
our beautiful land rent in twain forever,
and have been unrem,ting in their advice
to us to let half of the Union go. Shall
we adopt them for our ccunselors? 1t is
one of the saddest things. in this time OF
general sorrow, that an effort is made to
persuade onr fellow citizens of foreign birth
to give their votes in the interest Of the
very party Of the English aristocracy which
from generation to generation oppressed
them at home.
Our bankers. with noble patriotism.
| nj a cod fhoir xxroo1fb II ho Of ho
government. Are they now to be told that
their loans were offered without purpose
and without any need? That the govern
ment should have songht peace at any
price, even at the sacrifice of our national
character. by covering before the conflict
which all the possible deprecations of pu-
sillanimity could not have avoided? Will
they consent to see government so paralyz-
ed and its policy so uncertain, as to jeop-
ard the restoration of public credit. and to
invite the interposition of foreign powers?
Are our merchants prepared to wean
themselves from the free use OF the Chesa-
peake and the Mississippi? Will they,
after having won back these great high
ways. give them up to confederscy which
is the child of rehellion and which from
inherent canses will, in case of its separa-
tion. be necessarily hostile to us? True.
our interests are bound up with the South.
But is the surrender of the cspes Of the
Chesapeake. and of the Tortugas. and of
the Mississippi. to restore . profitable COM
merce? Will the REIMBURSEMENT forever
Of vast tracts OF country-the Italics of the
United States. unsurpassed for beauty.
fertility and healthfulnsss-prove the best
mode of promoting the exchanges of do
mestic products? Will the bar Of custom
houses. stretched across the channels of
our mighty rivers. help internal uaviga-
tiong TO Jet the rsvolted ststes 90 from