Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1863-03-06

Resignation of the Hon. Simon Cameron
On Monday last Gen. Cameron addressed the
following letter to the President, resgning the
post of American Minister ut the Court Of st.
PetersburGh
WASHINGTON, D. c., jan 90, 1868.
To His Excellency ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President
Of the United States.
SIR: herewith tepder TO you my resignation
as American Minister to the Court OF st. Peters
burgh.
When l undertook this responsible trust, you
will remember that the end Of the Rebellion was
supposed to be near at hand. Our military prep
afations were 30 stupendous, the spirit OF the
people was SO high, aud they were apparently 80
united, aud the determination TO prosecute the
wer in every department Of the Government was
go manifest that the public enemy and foreign
uations seemed 10 concur in this general opinion
was not Indifferent to the subsequent change
in our domestic affairs. This fact painfully i'm
pressed NE in distant land and when | wrote
to you that the rigors Of the climate had serious
y affected the health OF my family, ami that |
would be compelled to return. was also actuated
by a strong desire once more to mingle with my
cUuntrymen, and 10 assist the Government to
the extent of my ability, in every measure essen.
tial TO the overthrow Of Il conspiracy which had
assumed such Formidable and thu eatenng pre-
portions. This purpose has been strengthened
by observation aud experience since my return
to the United States and | now feel that
ought to remain at home, because there are du-
ties to discharge in the present and the future,
which no patriotic citizen -can cunscientiOusly
avoid
lnslous and open efforts arc everywhere
made by'reckIess and reasonable leaders to di-
vide the people of the Free States. Misrepre-
sontatons of national legislation and of the acts
OF the Executive, known 10 he false by many who
coin them are put in circulation 10 deceive the
people; aud thousands give credence to state
ments which the slightest examination would
prove to their own minds to be wholly unfoun
deI.
The hope OF the Rebels is in want Of harmony
among tue people of the loyal States. ! ain
confident that, moving in my humble sphere as
d private citizen, | can do something at least TO
dispe these preiudices, and by appealing to the
| friends who have honorel and sustained me
through not uneyentful life, | can be OF more
service to the good cause and to the Government,
than by living in IA foreign luud not Indifferent,
but still m idle spectator of the exciting scenes
ut my own home.
This is period when men should forget past
party rclatious-when they should remember
ouly the Republic, and when the first duly
should be to put down the Rebell.on-laying
aside the nntagonsms Of other days, to be re-
yived, il necessary, when peace shall again bless
aud unite every section of the Union.
1t is in this spirit MIR President, that ! con-
tinue to sustain your Administration and an
happy TO aid that would not now recall ont
suggestion of mine made during my connection
with your Cabinet. still believe that every
means should be resorted to crush this conspirn
cy and am confident that every days exper-
fence will bring thousands of others to this iudg
ment. 1t is now ihct, to which no loyal maj
should close his conscience. that we can have nj
peace that ia no. ii conquered peace, and that
we do not destroy the foe in his strongholds, h
will undoubtedly attack us in ours. | have
faith, full and unabaed, which survives ever.
defeat, and grows stronger with every pusatiO
of my heart, that we shall subdue the traitor
: and vindicate the supremacy of the Federal Con
stitution,
In terminating my relations with the RUSSIA
= Court, may be permitted to say, that trust m
successor will be one who will 20 there fllet
with determination to cultivate assidousl
j those friendly feelings which animate the En-
!. peror, aud others in authority. That great an
wise Prince cOutemplates our struggle with til
utmost solicitude and fervently trusts that "
may emerge from it with an undivided Govern
ment. 1t should be the study Of our public me
10 TO encourage and recprocate these generous set
= timents so that in the future which lies beyon
the present strife, however other sovereigntit
may regard or oppose us, we will recognize
the Emperor of Russia our constant supportC
a and steadfast ally. The day may come wht
the United States of America will be able sui
stantially to return these repeated manifestation
k of the cordial good will of that nation, the VOL
derful progress Of which has only been surpa
III sed by our own.
Very respectfully, your obedent servant,
SIMON CAMERON