The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-27
SAINT PAUL, March 9th, 1868.

SAINT PAUL, March 9th, 1868.
Hon. II. G. MURPHY, Shakopee:
My DEAR 1R:-Your esteemed favor of
the 18th ultimo was duly received.
l have been so much pressed with
business, that have not been able to re-
ply to your favor before.
You were kind enough to ask me what
l think would soonest settle our National
troubles, and whether the war should go
on as it has done? If there were any in
dications from the Rebel Government or
people, that convention would be accept
able to them, should favor an armistice;
but such does not appear to be the case.
l do not see any way to reach peace,
and have not from the beginning of hostil-
tiles, except by hard and successful fight
ing, or by the intervention Of the three
great European powers, France, England
and Russia, in favor of the integrity of our
entire nationality. l do not know that
there is any prospect of the latter; but, if
it were done, and, according to Mr.. Sew
ards idea, the Rebel States were permit
ted to send their Senators and Represent
atives to Congress as heretofore to be
followed by National Conventional be-
lieve the North would and should bury the
past, and give the most ample guarantees
that the South should have no further
cause of complaint. With this, the fell
spirit Of abolition fanaticism would disap-
pear as rapidly as did the fanaticism of
anti-masonry, and forever.
If there be no intervention, as l have
suggested. then our only alternative is to
wage a war upon the most extensive scale
in our power; and, although l condemn
in the most unequivocal terms, the man.
agement of the war by the Administration,
and its emancipation policy, / can see no
safety in refusing to follow where the Gov
eminent leads-in Withholding support
because the management does not suit
US. Should we do so, we would have
anarchy; and that is ten times worse than
war; We can only correct the errors of
Mr.. LINCOLN through public sentiment
and the ballot-bOx. In the mean time,
we must fill up the army to our utmost
capacity; and strengthen it and the Gov
eminent by every way in our power; and,
in tie great interest Of humanity conquer
a peace, with the least possible delay.
You are aware, my friend, that I do
not obtrude my opinions upon the public,
nor upon any party; nor do | suppose
they would have my great weight if |
did; but, since you have done me the
honor to ask them, l give them to you
cheerfully and frankly, knowing that your
age and great experience in public life will
| enable you to detect errors which do not
manifest themselves to me.
BY wise and conservative course this
Fall, I believe the Democratic party OF
this State will succeed, and thus exercise
wholesome influence upon the Admins
tration, though it may be small one; but
our platform must be broad enough and
patriotic enough to enable all our soldiers
in the field, and all conservative men, to
stand upon it.; otherwise we shall be de-
feated, and thus furnish another evidence
to the President that he should persist in
the fanatical schemes of the Radical sec.
ton of his party.
Very respectfully and truly
Your friend,