Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-01-07
A Letter From T.. Butler King.
of Gcorgin.
STANFORD. GA. june oG. |

vi vi lllt i'til lllSl. informing me tt;L
the presentation by myfriends of my nam
t as candidate for Congress in the First Con
gressional District of Georgia has brot fortl
; paragraphs in the Richmond papers to th,
: effect that | am rcconstructionist. etc. =
; was forwarded FROM my home to me at th
place, where, L propose to spend iortnigh
or three weeks
The friends who have thought proper {,
use my name in connection with the posi-
ton referred TO are perfectly familiar will
the sentiments | entertain on the subject n
the war, and the conditions upon which
would favor peace; and am perfectly will
ling that my views on those subjects should
be equally well known TO the whole peoplt
OF the country.
"A painful indispositon which I now suf
fer will prevent my addressing you at much
length, or with much care, but ] hope tc
be able to develop my views sufficiently tC
prevent any misapprehension of them
My political record will clearly show that
have ever maintained the right of any State.
or number of States to withdraw from the
Federal Union, and form new government
Tor themselves and it will further show
that after the election of Mr.. Lincoln to
the Presidency, | advocated the propricty
and necessity Of such course being pur-
sued by the State of Georgia.
While | advocated this measure. [ pro-
toundly regretted the necessity of it. Moth
ing but a firm conviction that our constitu
tional rights would be denied and violated
by the Lincoln administration prompted
and induced me to recommend the secession
of my State. And when the ordinance of
secession was passed by our Convention, |
ndulged in the hope and even the expecta-
ton that, at no distant period, measures
would be adopted by the Federal Govern
ment which would result in such guarantees
of our rights within the Union as would en-
able us to return to it.
My hopes were soon dissipated by the
clash OF arms and ] was behind none of
my telow-cltlzens in declaring that we must
defend our country to the last man. ] have
given to the field every male member of my
family, and to the soldiers grave two who
were most dear to me, and although too
far advanced i'll years to render much mill
tlry service, | am willing and determined
! # 1t becomes necessary, to continue my fee
PIE assistance IN my country defense.
But war must end i'll peace and sooner
or later both parties must agree to terms
upon which they will lay aside their arms.
The events OF the past two years should be
sufficient to convince every reasonable man.
both North and South, that il is impossi-
bic for the Federal Government to subiu-
gate our people and statesmen of the
South cannot fail to perceive that the Fed
cral Government cannot abandon the war,
except on restoration of the Union, with
out danger of the further dismemberment
of the nation.
Then, unless both parties can be inhuenc-
cd by the spirit of concession and compro-
mise, wv hen, i'll the language of one Of our
Igt ngTtr had IL 4
end! No man can answer as TO wears: but
he may safely answer, Not until both par
ties are exhausted and ruincd-not until the
North Is reduced to a condition worse than
1t would have been if she had quietly acqui-
esced IN our separation, and not until the
South IS worse off than she would have been
by remaining in the Union under an aboli-
ton administration Of the government"
These considerations would lead me to favor
any terms Of peace that the South could
with proper regard for her interests and
honor, accept.
The energy, skill, and blood of our fathers
helped to achieve and establish the indepen-
dencc Of the United States, and our own en-
terprise, treasure and statesmen have holped
to make the nation one of the greatest and
most powerful on the globe We have the
same right to enjoy the power and grandeur
OF that nation as the people of the North
Our States cut the Gordian knot, retired
from the Union, and formed a new govern
men, because, and only because, our rights
IN the old Union and under the old Con
stitution we had helped to establish, were.
denied us. If the people Of the North
would now concedc our rights, and the Fed
eral government secure them to us, the dam
ger with which we We're threatened by re-
manning in the Union, and the objection we
had to it, would be removed, and we might
with honor and advantage return to it.
The Federal government has proceed so
far with the war that these are the only terms
OF peace to which we could reasonably ex-
pect 1t to agree; and | regret to say that
have no expectation that such terms will be
proposed, or would be accepted by that gov
ernment while the Presidential chair is occll-
pied by the present abolition incumbent. -
But If, fortunately, during his administra-
ton, or within reasonable time afterward
such terms should be offered I am free To
say that ! should prefer their acceptance 10y
our people to the continuance of the war,
which must result in the desolation of our
country, and the ruin of both North and
South. A peace on such terms would be
emnently honorable to bothparties-neither
could claim the victory-while the strength
andyalor each has exhibited would command
the respect and admiration of the other.
To this extent am a 'reconstruction,t ="
But 1t must not be understood that | would
prefer reconstruction and peace ON the terms
indicated, TO a speedy peace recognizing
our independcncc-if that were possible !;
nor must il be understood that doubt our
ability to achieve our independence If the
conflict is continued, But believe it would
be better for ourselves, for our ro terity,
and for mankind, that we should accent
peace with our rights secured within the
Union than to continue the war many years.
giving oceans of blood, millions Of treas
qre, and running our country, for indepcn-
dence.
As yet, the North has manifested no in
clination to make peace on any reasonable
terms and until she eyinces a pacific dis
position, and hostilties are suspended for
negotiation, nothing remains for US but to
devote all our energies, skill, and resources
to the conflict.
Hoping ere long 10 have the pleasure of
seeing. you in Richmond, when we may talk
over the condition of affairs, and exchange
our views in detail,
| remain, sincerely your friend
T. BUTLER KING.
------<s,~-----------------