Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1863-04-30
Letter from Mr.. Chase.

Letter from Mr.. Chase.
The following is correct copy Of the let
ter Of Mr.. Chase TO the Loyal National
League, IN response to their invitation to
attend the Sumter meeting:
"WAsHINaroN, April 9, 1863
Gentlemen: Imperative demands on my
time compel me to deny myself the gratifi
cation OF attending the meeting 10 which
you kindly invite me.
You will meet to send words of cheer to
our brave generals and soldiers in the held,
to rcbuke treason in our midst, in the garb
peace, aid and comfort to treason in the
panOply Of war; to maintain inviOlate the
integrity Of the national territory and the
supremacy Of the national constitution and
laws to strengthen the hands and nerve
the heart of the President fer the great
work to which God and the people have
called him. For what worthier purposes
can American citizens now assemble?
1T is my fixed faith, gentlemen, that
God does not mean that this American re.
public shall perish. We are tried as by
fire, but our country will live. Notwith-
standing all the violence and all the ma
chinations OF traitors and their s, ,mpathi-
zers, on this or the other side Of Allan
tc, our country Will i've.
And while our country lives, slavery,
the chief source, and cause, and agent Of
our ills, will die. The friends of the Union
in the South, before rebellion, predicted the
destruction of slavery as a consequence of
secession, il that madness should prevail
Nothing, in my judgment, is more certain
than the iulfllment of these predictions. -
Safe IN the state, before rebellion, from all
federal interference, slavery has come out
from its shelter, under state constitutions
and laws, to assail the national life. II
will surely die, pierced by its own fangs and
stings.
what matter now how it dies? Wheth.
Ell, as consequence or object of the wal
what matter? Is this time to split hairs
of logic2 To me it seems that Providence
indicated clearly enough how the end Of
states by military order, decree or proca
nation; not to be dsregarded or set aside il
any event as nullity, but maintained ant
executed with perfect good faith to all the
enfranchised and it will come in loyal slav,
states by the unconstrained action of tn,
people aud their legislatures, aided freely
and generously by their brethren of the fire,
states. may be mistaken in this, but if
am another better way will be revealed.
Meantime it seems to me very necessar,
to say distinctly what many yet shrink from
saying The American blacks must be callet
into this conflict, not as cattle, not now
oven, as contrabands, but as men. In tn,
free states, and, by the proclamation, in tn
rebel states, they are free men. The At
torney. General, in an opinion which defe
refutation, has pronounced these freeme
citizens of the United States. Let, then
the example of Andrew Jackson, who di
not hesitate to oppose colored regiments +
British invasion, be now fearlessy followed
Let these blacks, acclimated, familiar wit
the country, capable OF great endurance, re
ceive suitable military organization, aud d
their part. We need their good will, an
must make them our friends by shown
Q ourselves their friends. We must hav
them tor guides, for scouts, for all miitar
service in camp Or field for which they ar
: qualified. Thus employed, from burde
they will become support, and the ha7
! ards, pryations, and labors of the whit
soldiers will be proportionably diminished
; Some will object, Of course There ar
y always objectors, to everything practical.
: : Let experience dispel honest fears and rt
y fute captious or disloyal oavil.
n above all, gentlemen, let no doubt re.
~ on our resolution to sustain, with all ou
hearts and with all our means, the soldier
J. now in arms for the republic. Let the
Q ranks be filed up; let their supplies
. sufficient and regular let their pay be sure
Let nothing be wanting to them which ca
= insure activity and efficiency. Let eac
brave officer and man realize that his cour
u try's love attends him, and that his cour
try's hopes hang upon him; and, inspire
( by this thought, let him dare and do a
y that is possible to be dared and done.
SO, gentlemen, with the blessing {
God, will we mako glorious future SURF
= = see it rising before mellow beautiful an
grand There is not time to speak of
, now but from all quarters of the Ian
y comes the voice Of the sovereign peopl,
y rebuking faction, denouncing treason, an
y procaiming the indiyisible unity of the r,
public; and in this Heaven inspired unio
y !, o! the people, for the sake of the Uniol
is the sure promise OF that splendid her
aftor.
with great respect, yours very truly,
"S. p. CHASE.
Hon George Opdyks, George Griswol'
;. Esq, and Others, Committee of the 10y
" National League, New York"
In private letter accompanying Il
q . above Mr.. Chase uses the following word
the latter Of which may well be adopted
motto by every Loyal National League
u the land:
"What said tho Roman orator wht
q Catiline armed against his country: Il
= what each man thinks concerning the X
public be inscribed upon his forehead
Il