The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-05-06
Letter Of Secretary Chase.
The following is the letter Of Secretary Chase
to the great loyal meeting in New Ysrk:


The following is the letter Of Secretary Chase
to the great loyal meeting in New fsrs:
Treasury Department, April ., 1859
GEErLEEEs imperative demands On nv
the compel me 70 deny myself the grauncafion
Of attending the meeting TO which you kindly
invite me.
You vii meet TO send words Of cheer to our
brave Generals and soldiers in the held; 10 re-
buks treason in our midst, giving, IN the garo
Of peace aid and comfort TO treason in the pan-
oply Of war; 10 maintain invi0Ate the istsgrity i
Of the national territory, and the supremacy OF
the national constitution and laws; TO strength /
en- the hands and nerve the heart OF the Presi /
dent tor the great work TO which God aud the
people have called him. For what worthier Pur- /
poses Car American citizens nOw assemble,
Il is nv fixed faith, gentlemen, that God does
not mean that this American Repsbic shall per
ish. We ars tried a. by fire; but our country
will live. Notwithstanding all tie violence Aad
all the Vaccinations of traitors and their sym
pathizers on this or the other side Of the Allan
tic. our coantfy will live.
And while our country lives, slavery, the chief
source and cause aae agent Of all our Ills, will
de The frie nds OF the Unien in the South, be
fore rebellion, predicted the destruction OF sla
very as a consequence Of secession, if that mad
ness should prevail. Nothing. in my Judgment,
is more certain than the fEl6lment of these pre-
dictions. Safe in the States, before rebellion,
from all Federal interference, slavery has come
out from its shelter zzder State Constitutions
and laws TO assail the national life 1t viii sure
ly die, pierced by iGs own faRgs and stings-
What matter now how il dies, Whether as a
consequence or object Of the war, what matter
Is this time 70 split hairs Of logics Te me 1t
seems that Providence indicates clearly enough
hew the end of slavery must Gene. Il comes in
rebel slave States by military order, decree or
proclamation; not to be disregsrded or set aside
in any event as a nullity, but maintained sad e1-
eeuted with perfect good faith to all the entran-
chised; and it viii come in loyal slave States by
the unconstrsined action of the people and their
Legislatures, aided freely and generously by
their brethren Of the Free States. / nav be
mistaken in this but if / am another snd bet
} ter way will be revealed
Meantime, il seems 10 me very necessary to
; say distinctly what many yet shrink from cav
! ing The American blacks must be called into
this conflict, not as cattle, net now even as con
trabands, but as men. In the free States, and
= BY proclamation in the rebel States, they are
free men. The Attorney General, il an pinior
which defes reutation, has proneuaced these
free men citizens of the United States. Let
then, the example of Andrew jackson, who die
not hesitate 70 oppose colsred regiments Il
, British iEsssIon, be now fearlsssly followed. Lee
these blacks, acclimated, familiar with the coun
try, capable Of great endurance, receive suitable
military organization and do their part. W.
/ need their good will, and must make them GU
+ friends by showing ourselves their friends. W.
: must have them for guides, for scouts, for Al
4 military service in camp or Geld for which the,
b sre qualified. Thus employed, from burdeT
e they will become . support; and the hazards
privations and labOrs OF the white soldiers vi
/ be prOportisnally diminished.
e Some object. of course; there are always ob
Il ectors to every thing practical. Let experience
' expsl honest fears, and rsfute captisns or dis
S loyal cavil.
e Above all gentlemen, let no doubt rest OIL
o our resolution to sustain With all our hearts AM
n with all our means the soldiers nov in arms 70
o the Republic. Let their ranks be filed up-e
y their supplies be sufficient and regular-let thei
}, pay be sure--let nothing be wanting to then
/ which can ensure activity and efficiency le
= each brave officer and man realize that his coun
IS try's love attends him, and that mis- country
hopes hang upon hin-snd inspired by this on
/ thought, let him dare and do all that is possibl
q to be dared and done.
q So, gentlemen, with the blessing Of Ged, wi
q We make glorious future. see it rsing befor
me, how beautiful and grand There is not tim
e to speak OF it now; but from all quarters of tn
n land comes the voice Of the sovereign people
q !. rebuking faction, denouHeing treason, and pro
y claiming the indiyisihl~ - r - n-r-',ii~
= and IN this heaven inspired union of the pee
= pie for the sake of Onion, is the same prsms
: of that splendid hereafter.
: With great respect, yogIs truly,
S.P CHASE
: Hon Geo. Osdyke, Gee. Grisrold. hso. Al,
others, Committee Loyal National League, Ne,