Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1862-08-15
Letter From GEN. Hunter 60 the Rev.
Stephen H. Tying.

Asettcr from Gcns hhumteF 10 t09 Kew
stephen N. Tying.
| We have been favored by friend with copy
of General Hunters reply TO the inquiries of tho
President of the National Freedman's Assoeia
ton;
HEADoUARrKRs DEP'r or TIE soUrH,
HILTos HEAD, PoRT ROYAL, s. c., July IL, 1862
RcV. STEPHEN H. TYNG, President Of Tic Nation.
az Ffeednan's Resigf AssociGtion NeD YorA
! CITY;
| SIR:-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication dated June I'd,
| 1862, expressing to me the approval of my
course in regard to the freed slaves of this De-
partment by the important and benevolent as
sociation of which you are President.
Satisfied ofhaving attempted, in the absence
of instructions, to do my duty in the matter ac-
cording to the best lights of my judgment and
long experience, every assurance of sympathy
from men whose characters esteem is crafty
ing, and enables me to wait with more patience
for those inevitable days which are to give
policy on the slavery question to our Govern
ment.
| 1t is my only fear that the lessen may not be
understood and acted upon until read in charac-
tcrs of blood at the fireside Of every Northern
family. To attain wisdom we must suffer; but
that wisdom on the Slavery question must fin
ally be obtained, is my sustaining faith.
Our people are not dull Of comprehension in
regard to matters about which free play is given
ing through block of houses, they do not hes.
itate to batter down an intermediate house Ia
save the remainder of the block. When the
plague occupies an infected district the district
is quarantined, and every resource of science
and industry put forth to rid the locality of hi,
presence. The soldiers Of health are by nc
means ordered to mount guard over each smitteI
house and see that the vested interests of pes
thence are protected. "Break open DOORS if thel
be not opened, is the order on these occasions
Let in fresh air and sunshine, let purity replac
corruption"
But in presence of one great evil, which ha
so long brooded over our country, the intelli
lgence ofa large portion of our people woul,
seem paralyzed and helpless. Their mora
nerves lie torpid under its benumbing shadow
Its breath has been the pestilence of the politi
cal atmosphere in which our statesmen hav
been nurtured; and never | fear until its beal
is dripping with the best blood of the country
and its falcons tangled in her vitals, will the
free masses ofthe loyal States be fully aroused
to the necessity of abating the abomination al
whatever cost and by whatever agencies.
This is written, not politically, but according
to my profession in the military sense. Look
ing forward, there looms up possibility (only
too possible) of peace which shall be nothing
but an armistice, with every advantage secured
to the Rebellion. Nothing can give US perma
nent peace but successful prosecution of tn,
war with every weapon and energy at our com.
mand, to its logical and legitimate conclusion
The fomenting cause of the Rebellion must be
abated; the axe must be laid at the root Of the
u nas tree which has rained down such bitter
fr4it upon our country, before anything like
permanent peace can be Justly hoped.
Already j see signs in many influential quar-.
ters, heretofore opposed to my views in favor Of
arming the blacks, of change of sentiment
Our recent disasters before Richmond have serv.
ed to illumnite many minds.
To speak Of using the negroes merely 70
throwing up intrenchments is a step in the righ
direction, though far short Of what must be tn
! end. lthas the advantage, Of making the fuI
! ther and final steps necessary; for men workin
in the face Of the enemy must have arms wit
which to protect themselves If suddenly attack
ed.
On the whole there is much reason to be salts
fed with the progress made by public senti
ment considering how deeply rooted We're tn
prejudices TO be overcome, the general failure Q
the nation TO realize at first the proportions O
war, and the impunity still extended to thes
Northern traitors who are the plunderefs OF tn
Government by means of fraudulent army an
navy contracts on the one hand, while usin
every energy of tongue and pen to excite disc0n
tent with our Government and sympathy wit
the more candid and courageous traitors of th
South who are in arms against as.
In conclusion, it may be not inappropriate {
say that in transmitting the approval Of the Ma
> tional freedman's Relief Association OF m
course, you were--doubtless unconsciously--in
) dorsing views which your own earnest eloquenc
!, had no slight share 10 maturing Though with
out the pleasure of your personal acquaintance
! was, during year, member Of your congre
cation, and take this opportunity of greaifull
acknowledging my indebtness to your teach
ings.
5 Your letter would have been earlier answered
had not pressing duties TOO fully occupied m
[ time.
. Believe me, Sir very truly. your obliged an
obedient servant, d. HUNTER.
p. S.--None Of the carefully fostercd delu
| sions by which Slavery has sustained itself q
: the North, is more absurd than the bugbear Z
I "a general migration of negroes to the North,
rs necessary sequence Of emancipation s
: far is this from being fact, that although il
/ well known that give passes North to all ns
groes asking them, not more than dozen has
I applied TO me for such passes since my arrivl
here, their local attachments being apparentl
much stronger than with the white race. NJ
experience leads me to believe that the exact re
r verse OF the received opinion on this subjec
E would form the rule, that neatly ifnot quite Al
the negroes OF the North would migrate SoUt
: whenever they shall be at liberty to do so with
/ out fear of the auction block.
e Sincerely, d. f.
t The new grand reservoir in Central Park, Ne1
r York win have water let into il in the course