New-York daily tribune., 1863-09-03
THE pREssDENT,s LETTER.


dent Lincoln to the Union State Convention Of
Illinois. and which is to be read to-day 10 the
Convention in session at Syracuse. Both these
Conventions are composed of men "Who main
tain unconditional devotion 10 the Union" and
TO these the President has little else 10 say than
that he tenders a nations gratitude to such oi
them as are moi his "old political friends but
"whom no partisp malice nor parti'an hope
con make false 10 me nations li;c." His older
friends, he is confident, will thank him for Thus
recognizing the position of men to whom tEo
cmnirv and the Union are FAY more precious
than party ties.
psmissing thus in half dozen lines the po-
liical relations existing between the two Con-
ventions and his own Administration, tho Prcsi"
dent addresses himself 10 the country at large
and especially TO that portion Of it which,
whether honestly or not, differs with the policy
of the Government. As on several former occa-
sions, Mr.. Lincoln sczes an opportunity to put
himsrlf in direct communication with the pco-
pie, and in language plain, forcblc aud cml-
uen,ly direct, tells them az their servant hoS
and why he has done, and proposes to do, Their
work. The time is well chosen, for great anx-
icty had unquestionably arisen in the public
mind. aud angry discussion was begin
ming T. show itself as to the course
Government would Snrgue in regard TO events
possibly impending Doubt on the one hand
and misapprchcnson q nd Misrepresentation on
the other, were sowing the seeds of future diiii-
cnla,s und possible alanations which could only
proyc row rnd forridablc obstacles IN tho lso-
prc,. of the war, the final establishment OF a
wise settlement of our national troubles aud o
permanent peace. The President choose such
n moment to speak words Of wisdom, and with
the wide grasp Of siatcsnan and tho iirin de-
mcano- of ruler TO whose hands are entrusted
the wcgl,y aiIAirs of - nation at Tie most ouu'
cal period 81 hex cai.,,rcc, appeals to ihe good
seasc, The patriotism, and the candor Of The poo
plc. while he tells them precisely the principles
by which he in governed and hcpol'cy be means
to puruc. Partisanship, We know, III 80 a
great way; that parfisanshlp which knows no
other law than dccp-roOtcd sympathy with
Rebellion will hardly stick at any thing; but the
frlnnc.s Of purpose 10 unmistnlably sci forth IN
this letter. and which Is so well-inoHn and 80
large an element ia the Pre5ident's character,
Will not l.il to command respect, and compel
ocouic.ccnco az length however much at int
the "Hclthcu may ragc." The truly loyal poF-
tion Of the people will ret ca-icr IN their bcds
tonight, all over the Land. that tho President
telis them IN sucA frank, and almost homely
LANGUAGE. wLe, be tlluls he ought 10 do, AID
that lc means 10 do H.
Tn most direct hone ly ofpurposc, and amost
vigorous common-scn-c marx l4is letter OF Ia"
Frc iden,. Disciaiming the artso the diploma
tst The cunning OF The politician. and Tho gEaccs
Of rhetoric, hc comes straight 10 the points be
wants 10 discuss, and talks a. plain, earnest
man to men anxious TO hear wha, be has to say
and 10 know what be means. Iio dodges moth
inq. He arguca directly with his opponent, be-
cause in answering his criticisms and objections
he Is sure 20 cover all the doubts, If there arc
INV. Of his friends He meets the question OF
pcace fairly, and be- means 90 gain II by force o!
arms because thcro is 10 other way. There
is 10 other way, because lie viii not,
rs he knows the people viii not
consent 10 a dissolution OF tho Union, and be-
cause no compromise IL poiaiblo save with The
army. OK those who control the aralies of the
Rebels, and they viii have none. No word, no
intimation Of any such compromise has ever
reached him from the Rebel leaders, and be has
nothing else to do, as il is plainly his duty to
do nothing else, but fight on. Can anything be
moro conclusive than thi5l But if any such
proposition shall ever reach him-aS none ever
has and no man will dare doubt Abraham Lin
coins word-hc promises that ii shall not be re-
iec'cd and kept secret. Can anything be more
satisfactory Nor does he meet The Emancipa-
tion question less sqrarcly aud boldly. Copper
hca Journals may waste rcams on rcams OF pa.
per- but they will never upset the impregnahle
common-scnsc and brief statement Of his posi-
ton on this point. lie has only done wha,, as
COmmandcr-n- Chief, he had the right and il
was his duty to do in taking the property Of the
enemy. If in depriying him Of that property il
could be turned against him as an active instru-
mcnt Of hostility, so much the worsc for him
so much the better for Us. In 80 doing the
Presidents act was either legal or Illegal. II
Illegal, he need not recall it; if legal, he ca MT.
And why recall it, hundred days grace was
given in which il might DO recalled, and the
indulgence was disregarded. VIII anolhorhund'
red days or any number of hundreds be accep'edi
even If the President could unmakc lawsi But
he did this TO save the Union. If black man
l. 4 / IL lLal. Lal nm thl