The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-09-30
NORTHERN TREASON.

y
received from Capt. VIM. Fl. Gibbs, of
the 18th Illinois, now at Natchez, Miss,
a letter from ex-Presiden. Pierce to Mr..
JEFF. Davis, written in January, 1860,
and found among the papers of the latter
at Jackson. tits valuable contribution
to the history of the Rebellion, aud, tho
nobody will be surprised that Mr. Pierce
should have written it, its publication will
be d sore perplexity to those who insist
that the Abolitionists were the iustigators
of the Rebellion, that it was not premed-
itated by Southern politicians, and that
their plans were not known and approved
of by their Northern associates. 1t proves
two things conclusively, if anybody still
doubts, that the question of SECESSION was
the subject of discussion between North
ern and Southern Democratic leaders as
long ago as January, 1860 and that the
proposed Secessionists received assurances
from their Northern sympathizers that
the Rebellion at the South would be aid
ed and enforced by Northern traitors in
arms against the Government and the
loyal people of the North. We doubt if
Jeff Davis eGer received from the most
rampant of his Southern fellow. conspira-
tors more unequivocal assurances of sym
pathy and aid than Franklin Pierce gives
him in this letter. 1t is an evidence of
premeditated treason which no words can
explain away or excuse. Let loyal Dem
ocrats read herein the character of the
men to whose guidance they so long sub.
mitted r
CLARENDON HOTEL, Jan. 6, 1860.
My DEAR FRIEND: l wrote you az
unsatisfactory note day or two since.
I have just had a pleasant interview with
Mr.. Shipiey, whose courage and fidelity
are equal to his learning aud talents. He
says he would rather fight the battle with
you as the standard bearer, in 1860, than
under the auspices of any other leader.
The feeling and judgment of Mr.. S. in
this relation is, l am confident, rapidly
gaining ground in New England. Our
people are looking for 'the Coming Man" "
One who is raised by all the elements of
his character above the atmosphere ordi.
narily breathed by politicians. A man
really fitted for this emergency by his
ability, courage, broad craftsmanship and
patriotism. Col. Seymour (Tho's H.
arrived here this morning, and expressed
his views in this relation in almost the
identical language used by Mr.. Shepley.
1t is true that in the present state of
things at Washington, and throughout
the country no man can predict what
changes two or three months may bring
forth. Let me suggest that in the morn
ing debates of Congress, full justice seems
to me not to have been done to the De-
DocracY of the North. | do not believe
that our friends at the South have any
just idea of the state of feeling hurrying
at this moment to the pitch OF interse cx-
evaporation between those who respect
their political obi cations, and those who
have apparently no impelling power but
that which fanatical passion On the sub
ject of domestic Slavery imparts. WITH
OUT DISCUSSING THE QUESTION OF
RIGHT,-Of abstract p0,cer to sECEDE, I
hare never believed that actual disrup-
tion of the Union can occur Oithout
blood ; and If through the madness of
Northern AbolitioniSts that dire calami-
ty must come, the fighting aoiW not be
along Mason, and ,Diron's line merely.
II aoiW &c 10ithin our 0Wn borders, IN our
oaon streets, betaeeen the tooo classes Of cit,
aaens to achom I hare referred Those
,sho defy 1ao0 and scout constitutional o6-
legations, aciU, # ace eUer reach the arbi-
trament Of arms, find occupation enough
at home. Nothing but the state of Mrs.
Pierce's health would induce me to leave
the country now, although it is quite
likely that my presence at home would be
of little service. [ have tried to impress
upon our people, especially in New Hamp-
shire and Connecticut, where the only
elections are to take place during the
coming Spring, that while our Union
meetings areaall in the right direction and
well enough for the present, they will not
be worth the paper upon which their
are written unless we can
overthrow political Abohtionism at the
polls and repeal the unconstitutional and
obnoxious laws which in the cause of
"Personal Liberty" have been placed
upon our Statute books. | shall look
with deep interest, and not without hope,
for decided change inthis relation.
Ever and truly your friend, -slA