Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1864-09-20
Letter from Anna D. Dickinson

front to the enemy, than in the following letter
from ANNA L. Dickinson, which we find in the
New York Independents
PHILADELPHIA, September 3, 1864.
NV Dear Friend You ask me what Intend
doing, and how | feel in regard t the Presidential
campaign, now fairly inalgumled. From all parts
Of the country receive letters containing the same
iuquines--by no means put IN tae same spirit as
hat prompting yours letters Of warning, enlrea
", advice, denunciation, abuse, upbraIdlng, Tor
having deserted good cause for refusing to work
with my party 70 swell Us triumph next Noyem-
ber; for using wh1teyer influence possess against
the loyal representative of the people who alone
had ans chance OF success for supporting Inc
iion and its candidate, that tend only to the EN-
barfassment, ii not the ultimate defeat OF the
Union element Of the country, by dividing It's
councils, stirring up strife among its friends, weak
enug it by dssensions, aud consequently strength
enbg the hands and the hearts ol It's enemies
north and south.
These letters were first an annoyance, then
trouble, finally an absolute persecution.
Therefore, without in the least supposing myself
| 10 be a person whose word and work il the world
are Of special worth or import, may bega space
in your columns for public answer and little
LHIk lHtl Will SET AZ TbbL all lupau 5aHipSobVI
nattersl | wish to say
That my love for the dear cause is as great as
ever (greater it could not be), my devotion to it
as intense as three years or SIX months ago, end
desertion Of it impossible; though some so-caIed
loyal men and papers have done tier best to
drive me from il by misrepresentation and cal
umny
That have no party save that which strives
L., ~ "a Nth ktnpd and and
precious lives, to save this country-a home for
the oppressed-and to rebuild The old waste places
made desolale by slavery and a traitors war:
That, as il ha, been the honor and the privilege
OF nv life to have done what could With this par
n in the past, so it would be my everlasting dis
homer and shame 10 refuse now 10 work with Il,
whatever work may be preferred or found.
That | wish all people (who care to know to
understand that when conclude to desert my post
shall travel straight to Richmond, and not stop
: at any halfway station.
That have never been in favor Of the Cleve-
land Convention and its representative | am not
now sud ! bsver expect to be.
have never spoken a word in public that would
lead auy sensible person 10 so suppose.
Last winter, believing there were men 10 the
country who would make better Presidents tn n
the one we now have, suoye to build up public
sentiment that would demand and support one OF
these better men.
believed, further, that by postponing the con-
vention from the 7th Of June TO the LIST OF Sepem-
Der We had much to gain--the nomioatlon OF the
cnpperhead democracy Of the North, the announce
ment Of It's platform, the principles Tor want OF
principle) on which it is intended 10 work Its plans
10 the future 10 word, compelling it TO show its
hand before the loyalists played card, aud know
ing with Just what they were to meet aud con-
tend
This was something Beyond this the summer
campaigns might not close as they began, and I"
on this ending, not this beginning, depended TO
certain extent the popularity and consequent sue
cess Of whatever loyal representative might be
placed before the people, thought no such rep
rssenlatiye should be nominated till these things
should be dscided-ss too early decision might
end in late indecsion, il not open rupture in the
party.
Whatever words then spoke believed to be
in the best interests Of the country. Personally,
had everything TO lose, aud nothing 10 gain by
the ooure pursued. was laughed at rldIcued,
ostracised by the people Who, up to that time, had
given me naught save most generous help snd
oyer-libera praise. found
Hard indeed the strangers SCOT;
Hard the old friends falliag OF
aud used sometimes to think, Juggling away at my
oars, how easy it would be slipping down stream ;
= how wearlly pulling against the currents yet
felt then that was in the right and did not hes-
tate; feel now That was in the right, and do
not regret.
T. That has all passed 0theIs felt as did What
: remains
Naueht save the heartiest union, the most ear
nest. p,rsevering work, the most determined sup
port of tue party represented by Abraham Lin-
i coin, from This moment till election morning
d Either this party must succeed, or the grand
f cause will fail.
Either this party must triumph, or the country
will be ed into an ignoble and decetiul peace,
It ending by Union rent assunder
d Ether this party must conquer, or all that has
been gained ior humanity to-day, for the ages yet
to be- will be flung under foot aud uampled TO
=, death by a man-hatug aristoeracy God ddefying
a slave power
II Either this party must win, or the hope OF the
II world will be destroyed, and governments OF the
people, by the people, for the people, perish from
= the earth
l. Either this Iary must control, or heaven will
a weep, and he'll laugh aloud, liberty, truth and
!, Justice are swept from the land b. men who know
d, only the will OF their master, the evil one to do
his work.
ID But said an earnsa abolItlonist to me few
ID days since, "l thought thee would not support
,s Abraham Lincoln; | am surprised at Thy readl-
ness to work for him."
:" "My friend," answered, 4" this is no personal
le contest | shall not work for Abraham Lincoln
rs shall work for the salvation OF my counry's life
v that stands at stakeior the defeat OF this dsloy.
al peace party that will bring ruin AID death II II
y, come into power.
ID aBut why not work for some other man in
If whom thou hast perfect confidence
y Because all such work does but divide the
:, lrends oi the Union, and so plays into the hands
- of it's enemies because, as Burke hath IT,, ,'Wher
To had men combiue the good must associate, else
Ii hey will fall, by one, 40 unplied sacrifice IL
I'd A contemplibe struggle"
4. "Wel, feel as thee felt before the nomination
~ | am opposed to Abraham Lincoln, | think /
y would be wrong for me to do anything TO secure
it his 10 election and | am not willing 10 do eyi
ne that good may come
l, does thee approve OF warP" a.ked.
w mo. Decided, not Not in the main, bul