Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1862-12-18

THE Mobile Register is indebted to = friend 10 the
Army Of the Mississippi, for es OF the Federal papers
from which it extracts the following remarkable letter
from Hon. WIN. B. Reed,a distinguished citizen OF
Pennsylvania and one tine Commissioner TO China
Before the recent democratic successes In the Northern
elections the writing of such letter would have sent
any man to Fort Warren
CupitaI Letter from the Hoa. Wlhsam B. Reed, of
Philadelphia, Read at the Democratic Celebration in
Reading, Re,ks County Penn, on the 14fh inst
CHESTNUT hill, NEAR PHILADELPHIA
November 5,h, 1862
Gentlemen: Nothing would give me more pleasure
than to unite 10 the festival 10 honor Of the vic
tory in Pennsylvania but the short notice, and some
personal considerations with which need not trouble
you, prevent it. Let NE hope that before long may
congratulate you the nit of this political success in
the restoration OF the functions OF Constitutional Gov
eminent At the North, aid honorable peace 1t is
my hrm belief that the paramount wish OF the masses
oil the North is tor peace-thOugh tmidity or coLsd.
eratione mistakes in my opniOn-of expedency pre-
vent them from saying 1t has been part OF the policy
of the Administration to crush out this craving of
common humanity, and to Genounce traitors those
who think as do, that blood enough has been shed al
ready. This has been ecqQiesed in too long. There
thousands who think with me- whose property is
endangered whose industry ID parsy z9d-fabers and
mothers who ere praying snxously for the return o.
their soldiers from the BATTLEFIELD, waiting for the
home. This prayer will soon fad utterance-and the
community weary OF and bloUdsbed-weary OF
de0t and taxation, OF the taxcoIectOr and the recruit
ing segeant-weary of the ambulance Of the wounded
&ud the heaTse OF The dead-will hail with estacy be-
yOnd control the hour when flags OF permanent tru
sha! be displayed at Washington and Richmond. l
old enough to remember the peace Of 1875 aud the
J'y 1t excltet but it was as nothing in comparison
! with what ours will be when this brothers war ie
over
! When peaco comes-or before it comes-if the mad
ness of those 10 power prolOngs this dreary conflict
will come the day of responsibility and part of the
duty OF the Democratic party will be to enforce this
stern account The House Of Representatives at Har
risburg will be strictly the Grand Inquest of tbs Com
mOnwealth, and it will have work enough on hand. Ol
it will devolve the duty to inquire into the conduct Of
this war; far Pennsylvania is concerned, and
know il her authorities have been faithful to their oca
trust. The bitter cry of the Roman Emperor Tor his
lost legions is echoed by ennsyvana asking why hel
gallant resources were sacrificed and cut to pieces
distant battle fields, and her frontier left open t
invasion and insult. Gen. Stuarts unreslsted raiC
through two OF the most popuous and loyal counties
Pennsylvania, crcliDg as he did in defiance near tht
capital OF the State is to the authorities the most dis
graceful Incident OF this It was loodless By
mere accident 1t not the less discreditabe be
cause it biOodess.
But another outrage on the dignity and the sover
eighty OF the State demands inquiry and redress Or
the 9th of August last, a Federal military officer
d6n6r2I JAS. w MISUNDERSTANDING 10 DS MILITARY
Governor OF the District OF Columbia, came, with
guard to the capital of this State, and, without al
thory Of law, in the middle of the night, sei1ad anc
dragged from their BEDS directly under The eye OF tn
Governor and his Cabinent four respectable and as tn
event proved innocent citizens of Pennsylvania. They
were incarcerated in distant prison, and fnay dis
charged without accusation any succor, AID TO
them, our own immediate fellow citizens, no word O
remonstrance or even intercessou uttered By th
Executive or his advisers.
Had no other cause for rejoicing at the restoration
of Democracy to legislative power in this State in
it in the prospect OF inquiry, and if need be, punish
ment of those whose neglect and Indifference lave in
hcted these kindred gnominies on ancient Common
wealth where the step CT invasion has not been felt 10
than seventy years. and where personal liberty,
/! secured by law, has never before been violated.
You will, am sure, excuse these suggestions for th
future Something may be pardoned to freedom
speech suddenly restored.
have the honor to be, gentlemen, very respectful!
your Cbedient servant
WIN. II. REED.
To Messrs Aucoua, Gaix, Boyer, MoyeT aud FIJI
man. Committee.