Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1864-06-18

Gcrrit smith on the frcstNeucN.
A letter from Gerrt Smith 20 Mrs. L.
Cady Stanton, dated Petcrboro, June z,
says:
My concern whether it shall DC Lincoln, or
Fremont, or Chase, or Butler, or Grant, who
shall reach the Presidential chair, is COM
paratively very slight. But my concern to
keep out of it man who would make any
other terms with the rebels than their abso-
Lutte submission, is overwhelming; for any
terms would not only destroy our nation,
but lesson the sacredness of nationality
everywhere, and sadly damage the most
precious interests of mankind.
Since the rebellion broke out have been
nothing but an anti-rcbellion man. So un-
conditionally have | gone for putting it
down unconditionally, as to make no stimu-
lations in behalf of my most cherished OBJ
iccts and dearest interests And SO shall |
continue to go. l love the anti-slavery
cause. Nevertheless, would have the re-
bcllun put down at whatever necessary
expense to that cause. | love the Constltu-
ton, and deprccate the making of any, even
the slightest, change in it. Nevertheless, l
make Intimately less account OF saving 1t
than of destroying the rebellion. love my
country. But sooner than see her COM
promise with the rebels would see her eN-
haust herself and perish in her cndeavors to
defeat their crimc-the greatest crime of all
the ages and all the world. l do not forget
that many of my old fellow-A -Abolitionists
accuse me of having been untaithful to the
anti-slavcry cause during the rebellion. My
first answer to them is--that to help sup
press the rebellion is the duty Which stands
nearest to me: and my second answer-that
in no way, SO well as suppressing it, can the
ti.slavcry cause, or any other good cause,
be promoted. There is not good cause
on the earth that has not an enemy in the
unmiXed and mighty wickedness Of this
rebellion.
Another instance Of mcddling with things
before their time is this slapping of the face
of France with the Monroe Doctrine
was about to say that doing so served but
to provoke the Cnmity of France. There
is, however, one thing more which provokes
and that is the ridicule of the world
For whilst the rebels are still at the throat
of the nation, and may even be at heI
funeral, to be resolved that we will protect
the whole Western Continent from the de.
signs of the whole Eastern Continent, is rs
ludicrous piece of impotcnt brayado as
ever the world laughed at.
And still another instance of our foolish
prematurcness are the big words in which
we threaten to punish the leaders of the re
bellion. 1t would be time enough fer these
big words when we had subducd the re
beliion and captured the leaders. In tho
meantime there should be only big blows
Moreover, if we shall succeed in getting
these leaders into our hands. it will be {
question for the gravest consideration whcth
er we should not beg their pardon instcat
of Furnishing them. What was it that stir
red up the rebellion The spirit of slavery
That alone is the spirit by means of whlcl
Southern treason can build up fire in the
| Southern heart, whose flames shall burst ou
in the rebellion. Slavery gone from tn,
! South, and there will never more be re
bellions there to disturb the peace anC
prosperity in which North and South will
ever after dwell together.