Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-10-08
Umportnut I.cttcr from Gcuernl
sacorrc w. Morgan.
BiSanAMroN, New YoRK,
September %, 1868.

To ,ls Democratic State Central Commit
tee
GENTLEMEN Your esteemed iavor,
inviting me to meet with the people, to
consult with them upon the perilous con.
dition OF our beloved but unhappy coun
try, has been received.
III health rendered it imperitive that
should withdraw from the army, and in
May last. rendered my resignation,
which was accepted on the 9Th day Of
June. Since then, huve been absent
from my home, under medical treatment,
but hope soon to return to Ohio.
1t has been, and still is, my conviction
that the recognition, by us, OF the cotton
States as an Independent power, would
end, forever oil hope of reunion with
them. They annually produce four mil
lion bales of cotton, averaging five hun.
dred pounds per bale, valued before the
rebellion, at five cents per pound. An
export duty Of ten cents per pound would
yield to the Southern Government the
enormous revenue of two hundred mil
lion dollars per annum In other words,
the entire administration of their gov
y
lishments, would be supported by tax
imposed on the world at large while
with free trade as to imports. they would
always sell at the highest and buy at the
lowest. prices. With such government
favorable treaties would be eagerly
sought by the first class powers, and in
stead Of friend we would have upon
our border constant rival. and, in con
sequence of the Abolitoni-ts, danger
Gus foe.
Entertaining these views, you may
feel assured that none but reasons of
mighty moment could induce me, at this
crisis to solemnly declare that the only
hope for the Union, and the security OF
our Liberties, rests in the calm, patriotic,
and, if need be. courageous action of the
people at the ballot box, whereby the
party in power may be displaced, and a
wiser policy he adopted.
Wishing to see the whole people uni
ted, and the war conducted with view,
single to the preservation of the Union,
two years ago, on my return home
from Europe, declared in favor Of the
election of Governor Tod. Why? Mr. Lin
coin had solemnly proclaimed that he
had neither the wish nor the right to iu-
teriere with the institutions of the South;
on the ODD of July, Congress, by an al
most unanimous vote, resolved that the
war was not waged in any spirit of OPP
preston, or for the purpose of conquest
or subugation, but simply for the pres
ervation CT the Union; and the conven
ton which nominated Mr.. Tod re affirm
ed that resolution in its every letter. My
views, then and now, were therein eX-
pressed, but regre! to say that in every
particular has Mr.. Lincoln disregarded
his pighted faith.
While in the army, as matter oI
military propriety, carefully abstained
from political action of any kind, and
do not know, to this day, the party pre-
dilectons of some of the officers whc
composed my staff. They were faithful
and competent l asked no more
But once during my term of ser
vice did give public expression of my
views as to the conduct Of the war.
In the month of July, 1862, received
letter from Ii. Is. Curtis, Esq. and 9th
or gentlemen, requesting me to become q
candidate for Congress, and urging GER
tain reasons why should do so. Cour
tesy demanded a reply, and lrankness re
uuired truthful inference of my senti
ment.. In declining to become candi
date, said. "We must conquer and
cancjliate." And in regard to the EN-
ployment Of negro soldiers, l emphstical
ly dissented from the proposed use o
"black bayonets."
Having now resumed the duties and
the rights of citizen, shall in goot
faith PEI form the one, and maintain the
other.
Our country is in double peril Mr.
Davis aims a vital blow by the attemp
ted disruption oil the Union, and Mr.
Lincoln has assumed despotic powers
under the plea Of carrying on the war
it is then the duty Of every good citizen
to maintain and encourage our gallant
armies in resisting the disruption of tb,
Union, and to resist at the ballot box
the encroachments upon their liberties by
Mr. Lincoln.
Would that this statement was over,
drawn. Unfortunately, it but feebly con
veys an idea of the evil which threatens
us. For the first time in the history o
our country has President substantial
ly proclaimed himself Dictator, and by
the declatation of martial law from Cal
ilornia to virginia and from Maine tC
Louisiana. made the military para
mount to the civil power, without re
gard to the local existence or non.exis
tence of war.
Is it the purpose of Mr.. Lincoln tC
suppress or corrupt the elective franchise
by the agency of the sword H.?
Let us reflect moment before we re
ply.
Was Connecticut theatre of war dur
ing the last gubernatorial election, wher
three thousand Republican soldiers wer'
sent to carry, and did carry, the election
against Thomas II. Seymour, while a
the same election, Democratic soldiers
desirous of voting for the candidate o
their choice, were refused furloughs l
MIR. Lincoln does not seek to contro
elections, why this discrimination be
tween Republican and Democratic sol