The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-09-09
NAHANT. Aupnst 2h

NAHANT, August %.
GENTLEMEN: 1 have to acknowledge the re-.
celpt OF your letter of the goth, addressed to
me in New York.
If your letter were in effect an appeal only
to my own sentiments in favor of reunion of
parties, 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 contingency which might have oc-
Cured at Baltimore. Having now definitely
accepted the Cleveland nomination, have not
the right to act independently of the truly pat
rlOtic and earnest party who conferred that
honor upon me. In any event it would be
necessary first to consult with them, It
might, besides, have only the effect still fur
Their to unsettle the public mind, and defeat the
object you have in view, if we should disor-
ganize before first proceeding to organize some
thing better.
To this end l suggest that a direct effort be
made to obtain an immediate understanding
between the supporters of the Baltimore and
Cleveland nominations, in order that the
friends OF both may cOaleSce and unite upon
an early day for holding such convention as
You propose. am satisfied that do not as
sumo too much in saying that my friends will
unite heartily in such a movement.
really popular convention. upon a broad
a convocation in mass of the people, and not
the work of politicians would command the
public confidence Such a convention, acting
in the large and liberal spirit in which it was
called, without considerations of persons or
political cliques, and without reference to by
gone situations, rising to the level of the occa-
sion and taking the conditions of the country
as they present themselves to-day, could safely
be trusted to propose such policy and name
such man as should, and undoubtedly would.
receive the cordial and united support of the
patriotic masses of the people. To the great
body OF these, SO far as my information allows
me to form any opinion, think the following
propositions would be acceptable:
Il. Respect for the practical liberty and the
constitutional rights and dignity of the citizen.
2. The maintenance of the dignity of the
United States in their relations to foreign
powers.
8. The re-establishment of the Union by
peace it it is possible; by war if the employ
ment OF peaceful measures cannot be made to
succeed.
Much has been said of late about peace. and
you will therefore excuse me if I say here
what understand by it. For me- peace signi-
fies the integral re-establishment of the Union,
without political discussions. and because the
institution itself is condemned by the enlight-
ened and liberal spirit of the age. These are
to me the essential conditions of peace. If it
is practicable to attain this result, it would not
be paying too dearly flor it-taking also into
consideration the material strength which the
South has been permitted to acquire by the
conduct OF the war-tO make concessions upon
some points of secondary importance such as
! that of paying an indemnify for their slaves
to those who have remained in sort of neau-
trail condition during the unhappy war which
has convulsed the country. To terminate this
we are now expanding life and money; it
would certainly he gain to reduce it simply
to question of money.
If in spite of all these efforts to spare the
South humiliation or losses of capital likely to
| DC too severely felt, the political chiefs who
direct the South persist in war, then the policy
OF the convention should be to pronounce in
that case for war with all the force and energy
OF the nation. For peace, upon any terms, and
merely because it is peace-a peace recognizing
a North and South-would not bring about a
stable equilibrium. 1t would only prepare the
way for new struggles, and for condition of
disastrous anarchy.
| The paramount question is the Union Bv
peace, it it can be had on honorable and right
terms-by war, if the political leaders who are
directing the South insist upon war;
The situation of our country is unquestion-
ably critical. 1t demands the devotion and the
patriotism of all men who really love their
country, and it is one of those moments
when all personal aspirations should vanish in
the face of the great questions of principle and
national existence which are at stake.
Thanking you, gentlemen. for the evidence
which your letter gives me of your confidence
in my disposition to do everything in my pow.
er for the interests of the country,
am, very truly yours,