Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1863-09-24

The Concord On. H. Democrat has
received from Capt, VIM, IL, Gibbs, OF
the 18th Illinois, now at Natchez, Miss,
letter from ex-president Pierce to MIR.
JEFF, Davis, written In January, ..s6o,and
found among the papers of the latter ., q,
jackson. 1t is valuable contribution to
the history Of the Rebellion, and, though
nobody will be surprised that Mr.. Pierce
should have written it, its publication will
be sore perplexity to those who insist
that the abolitionists were instigators of
the rebellion, that it was not premedltated
by Southern politicians, and that their
plans were not known and approved of by
their northern associates. 1t proves two
things conclusively, if anybody still doubts,
that the question of secession was the sub
ject of discussion between northern and
southern democratic leaders as long ago
as 1860; and that the proposed secession
lists received assurances from their north
ern sympathizers that their rebellion at
the South would be aided and enforced by
northern traitors in arms against the gov
ernment and the loyal people of the north.
We doubt il jeff. Davis ever received
from the most rampant of his southern
tellow-consplrators more unequivocal as
surances of sympathy and and than Frank
lin Pierce gives him in this letter. 1t is
an evidence of premeditated treason
which no words can explain away or ex
cuse. Let loyal Democrats read herein
the character of the men to whose guild
ance they so long submitted:
Clarendon Hotel, Jan. 6, 1860.
My Dear Friend: | wrote you an I'M
satisfactory note day or two since. |
have Just had a pleasant interview with
Mr.. Shepley, whose courage and fidelity
are equal to his learning and his talents.
He says he would rather fight the battle
with you as the standard bearer, in 1860,
than under the auspices of any other lead
er. The feeling and Judgment of Mr.. s.
in this relation is, | am confident, rapidly
gaining ground In New England. Our
people are looking for ''the Coming Man"
One who is raised by all the elements of
his character above the atmosphere ordi-
narlly breathed by politicians. A man
really fitted for this emergency by his
ability, courage, broad craftsmanship
and patriotism. Col. Seymour, (Thomas
HI arrived here this morning and ex-
pressed his views in this relation in almost
the identical language used by Mr.. Shep-
ley. 1t is true that in the present state Of
things at Washington and throughout the
country, no man can predict what changes
two or three months may bring forth. Let
me suggest that in the morning debates of
Congress, full Justice seems to me not to
have Seen done to the Democracy of the
North. do not believe that or friends
at the Southhaye any just idea of the state
of feeling hurrying at this moment to the
pitch Of intense evaporation between
those who respect their political obIjga-
ton, and those who have apparently no
impelling power Int that which fana!cal
passion on the subject Of domestic slavery
imparts. Without discussing the question
of rght-of abstract power to secede,
have never believed that actual disruption
Of the Union can occur without blood ;
and if through the madness of Northern
Abolitionists that dire calamity must
come, the fighting will not he along Mason
and DIXon's line merely. II aW be uUd-
IN our 0rR b0ldeTs, in oar orH streets,
betlreeR tte tro classes Of bcr$0@s to
2chom ] hare rcte5Ted Those who defy
law and scout constitutional obligations,
will, if We ever find the arbtrament Of