The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-09-08
BosToN, Aug. "a. 1863.

warn Everett, NFltbeh 10 tlu e3tluk hNiu
Union Convention
BosToN, Aug, "a 1868
James O. ConkliRg, Esq, de-;
My DEAR Sin | received, q few days
ago, your letter of the 18th, inviting me
to attend the grand mass meeting of The
unconditional Union men Of the State of
Illinois, to be held on the 3D. Of Sep
TENDER, at Springfield.
II will not be in my power TO attend
the meeting, but its objects, as explained
by you, have my cordial sympathy.
The elections soon to be held will be
of more than usual importance. They
will throw light on the great question,
how far it is possible for tree Govern
ment, constituted in its legislative
branches by popular choice, to prosecute
with vigor war of considerable dura-
ton, and which entails heavy burdens on
the community AS a representative
Government is mainly carried on by
party organizations, the great interests OF
the community, both in peace aud war,
are too apt TO become the arena in which
the opposite parties strive for the mas
terry. Questions, in themselves of Sec
ondary importance 60 the general well
fare, are often contested with vehemenoe
and passion, and that by men of ability
and patriotism, working themselves up
to the belief that they are contending
for matters Of vital importance. Within
my experience, the policies of the country
have successfully turned upon four OF
five questions, regarded at the same time
as of the greatest moment, but now ut.
terly obsolete and forgotten.
These unfortunate contests, while
they last, are the source OF great embar-
Tsssment TO the Administration OF the
General Government for the time being
which finds itself thwsrted in all i
measures, however patriotic and beneii
cial their tendency by indiscriminatC
opposition, aiming only at an election
eering triumph. This is a very serious
evil, in time of peace, greatly enhancing
the difficulties and burdens of publ,
life, and highly detrimental to the pub
lie interests.
In time of war, the evil becomes on
of tremendous magnitude. Phe ques
tions that then present themselves ar,
naturally more important than ordinary
political issues in time OF peace, Will
every blow struck at the measures of th,
Government though designed only TO ef
feet change of administration real
affords aid and comfort 70 he enemy.
This will be the case when the oppo
sition 90 the Governmental measures il
sincerely dictated by hpnest difference
OF opinion. Nay, it will ever be the cas-,
when the opposition is directed agains
measures palpsbly mistaken either OF
grounds of principle or policy. No ad
ministTation is free from error, and i
party spirit is allowed to prevail, its err
rors will be severely criticised, usually
exaggerated, and often fercely denoun
ced, ill the attention OF the country, in
stead of being fixed on the great an,
main questions ON which all good pa
triots are agreed, is turned to side issue
of minor, or often fictitious Importance
In this way the administration Of To
Government is weakened and embarrass
ed, and the vigorous prosecution Of th
war, which every patriotic citizen ad
mits to be the paramount object, is i
some degree paraly zed.
have doubted the policy Of som
measures of the Administration, an
strongly disapproved others; but regard
ing the persons in power for the time be
ing as the constitutional SCENTS of th
people for carrying on the Government
considering the war, which has bee
forced upon us by the ambitious dema
gogues of the South, as question of ma
tiOnal life or death-that To have the doc
trine of secession established at the mout
OF the rebel cannon is simply 70 oonsig
the country to q future OF eternal bnrde
war, and TO lay its dishonored fragment
at the feet of foreign power cannC
but think il unpatriotic TO attempt, f
the sake of party triumph to make pc
lucal capital out OF the difficulties, o
+ If you please, the errors unavoidsbly II
cident 20 the conduct Of war Of sue
! gigantic Dimensions
II 10 pretty safe test in cases of Ga
kind, TO ask how the views and measur,
Of party are regarded by the commC
enemy. Applying this test in the pre-
ent case, thing is more certain tbs
that the triumph, at the approaching tlep
R ton, OF any party organized and operl
ting for the prostration of the Admin
taiion would be regarded with unmil
gled satisfaction by the leaders Of d
!, rebt Lion aud their sympathizers abroa
!. CandOr requires me TO add that II it
the duty OF good ciizons 10 abstain fro
factious opposition, il Is in time Of W,
not less the duty OF an administration,
i well 10 civil as mil tary and naval affair
10 assume a position wholly independe
of party. | am afraid II is impossib
in time of peace, to carry on represent
to tive government except ON party bas
H. During the exis tance of the war, espe
- tally Of war which taxes 70 the utmC
10 the energy and resources OF the countr
party support, in proportion asitis reli
upon, is an element not Of strength b
10 Of weakness
% IL all the good men and good p,trit
in the loyal States, whether in Office
he out Of oilice-sacritoing when neceasa
10 q little pride Of personal feeling and
party associations, would cordially IN
Al for the attachments Of the objects viii
they all approve, viz. The vigorous pros
cution aud successful termination Of I
IS war, the next New Years day wor
!" witness the prostraiou Of the rebel
and its leaders; the return OF peace o
''' the restoration Of the Union.
With the beet wishes that the meeti
b. at Springfield may promote these ends
NJ remain, dear sir, very respectfully,
,u Your friend and fsllog citizen.