Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-09-06
The PRESIDENCY.
TIE BOSTON CORRESPONDENCE WITH GENERAL
FREMONT

The PRESIDENCY,
THE BOSTON CORRESPONDENCE WITH GENERAL
FREMONT.
The following is the correspondence with Gen
eral fremott relative to the Presideny
BosToN, August 81, 1864
GENERAL FREMoNT--S Sir You must be aware
of the growing dissatisfaction in the Republica-
racks With The Presidentil nomination at Bal,i
more and you may have leen notices ol q move
ment, Just commenced, to mite the thorough aud
earnest friends Of a vigorous prosecution Of the
Wal 10 a new convention which shall represent the
patriotism OF all parties.
10 facilitate that movement it is emphatically
advisable that the canddaes nominated at Cleye
and and Baltimore should withdraw and leave
the field entirely free for such united effort
Permit Us, sir, TO ask whether, in case Mr.. Lincoln
viii withdraw, you will do 50, and Join your fellow
citizens iu this attempt to Place The administration
on a basis broad as the patriotism Of the country
sud as It's needs,
GEORGE L. STEARNs, ELRUR WRIGHT,
5 T. URBINo, EDWARD HABlcH,
JAMES VI. STONE, SAM'L q. Howl.
REPLY.
NAHANT, August 25, 1864.
Gentlemen; | have 10 acknowledge the re-
c. ipt Of your letter Of the 2lst addressed to me
in New York.
your letter were in effect an appeal ohly to
NV own sentiments in favor Of reunion OF par.
lies, should not hesitate to renounce any personal
views, but would be entirely ready to defer to the
public opinion which your names represent.
But the conditions are no longer the same as
when | expressed my readiness to retire in the
event OF a contingency which might have occurred
at Baltimore. Haun. now definitely accepted
the Cleveland nomination, have not the right Ia
act independently Of he truly patriotic and earnest
party who conferred thlt Lonor upon me. In
any event, il might be necessary first to consult
with them. 1t might, besides, have only the
effect still further TO unsettle the public mind
aud defeat the object YOU have in view, il we
should dsorganlEe before first proceeding to
organize something better.
TO this end suggest that direct effort be
made TO obtain an immediate understanding be-
tween the supporters of the Baltimore and Cleye-
land nominations, IN order that the friends Of
both may coalesce and unite upon an early day
for holding such a convention as you propose.
am satisfied that | do not assume too much in
saying that my irienIs will unite heartily 10 such
a movement
A really popular convention, upon a broad and
liberal basis, so tina, il could be regarded as a
conv0cation in mass of the peope, and not the
work of politicians, would command public con.
hdenoe. Such a convention, acting in the large
and liberal spirit in which it was called, without
considerations o. persons or political chques, and
without reference TO byesone situations, rising "a
the Ieye OF the occasion and taking the condition,
of the country as they present themselves to day
could safely be trusted to propose such policy
and name such man us should, and undoubtedl,
would, receive the cordial and united support oi
the patriotic masses OF the people. 10 the great
body of these, SO tar as my Information allows me
70 form any opinion, | think that the following
propositions would be acceptable
/. Respect for the praotic' liberty and the
constitutional rights and dignity OF the citizen.
q The maintenance OF the dignity of the
United States in their relations 10 foreign powt rs
g. The reestabishment oilhe Union by peace
ifitis possiblei by war il the employment o.
peaceful measures cannot be made to succeed.
Much has been said Of late about peace, anO
YOU will therefore excuse me il | say here what
understand by it, For me, peace signifies th,
integral re.eslabishment Of the Union without
slavery because slavery is the source Of all oul
political dissensious, and because the institution
Itself is condemned by the enlightened and li1era
spirit Of the age These are 10 me the essentia
coudinous OF peace. Ii is practicable to atlall
this result, i. would not be paying too dearly lo
it-taking also into consideration the matera
strength which the South hls been permitted t,
acquire by the conduct Of the war-to make con
ces,ions upon some points Of ofsecondlry importance
such as that of paying an indemnity for thei
slaves to those who have remained in sort 0
neutral condition during the unhappy war whol
has conyulsed the country, To terminate lhi
we are now expending life and money il woul,
certainly be gain to reduce il simply to question
OF money.
II, in ,ple ofall these efforts to spare the Sout
/ humiliation OF losses of capital likely to be toi
severely felt, the political chiefs who direo; th
South persis; in war, then the policy Of the con
yention should be to pronouDce in that case 70
war with all the force aud energy Of the nation
For peace upon any terms, and merely beoaus
" Is ptace-a pttue IeV9bniAhk Nuttu ahu
South-would not bring about stable equilib
rum. 1t would only prepare the way for ne,
struggles, and fora condition Of disastrous anarca j,
The paramount question /, the Union. b
peace il 1t can be hld on honorable and righ
terms by war, il the political leaders who ar
directing the Sodth insist upon war.
The situation of out country is unquestionab
critical. Ii demands the devotion aud the pat