Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1864-01-04
Letter from Hon. II. Butler King.

forming me tnat the presentation by my
/ friends Of my name as candidate for Congress
in the First Congressional District Of Georgia
has called forth paragraphs in the Richmond
papers to the effect that ! am re-construe-
ZIONIST &c, was forwarded from my home 10
me at this place, where propose 10 spend
/ fortnight or three weeks
! The friends who have thought proper to use
l my name in connection with the position re-
I ferred to, are perfectly familiar with the SEN
I timents entertain on the subject Of the war,
aud the conditions upon which | would favor
\ peace and ! am perfectly willing that my
views ON those sujects should be equally well
known to the whole people Of the country.
! A painful indisposition which now suffer,
will prevent my addressing you at much length,
or with much care, but hope to be able to
develop my views sufficiently TO prevent any
Misrepresentation in regarn to them.
My political recotd will clearly show that
have ever maintained the right Of any Stair,
or number Of States, to Withdraw from the
| Federal Union, and form new government
for themselves; and it will further show, that
after the election of Mr. Lincoln to the Presi-
deney, advocated the propriety and neeessi-
~ OF such course being pursued by the State
of Georgia.
While | advocated this measure, | profound
|
firm conviction that our constitutional rights
would be denied and violated by the Lincoln
administration prompted and induced me TO
recommend the secession of my State. Aud
when the ordinance of secession was passed by
our convention, INDUCED the hope and even
the expectation that at no distant period meas
ures would be adopted by the Federal govern
ment which would result in such guarantees
of our rights within the Union as would enA-
BILE us TO return to it,
My hopes we're soon dissipated by the clash
OF arms, and | was behind none of my fellow.
citizens in declaring that we must defend our
country to the last man, l have given to the
field every male member o Fl my family, and to
the soldiers grave two who were most dear to
me, and although too far advanced in years to
render much military service, | am willing
and determined, If it become necessary, to
contribute my feeble assistance in my coun-
try defence.
But war must end in 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 suffi-
cient TO convince any reasonable man, both
North and South, that it is impossible for the
Federal government to subjugato our people
and statemen of the South cannot fail to per-
ceive that the Federal government cannot
abandon the war, except on a restoration of
the Union, without danger of the further dis
memberneut of the nation.
Then, unless both parties can be Influenced
by the spirit of concession and compromise,
'when, in the language of one of our distin.
guished Senator'S, SIS this struggle to endH'
No m an can answer as to the years but he
may safely answer, mot until both parties are
exhausted and ruined-not until the North is
reduced to condition worse than it would
have been il she had quietly acquiesced in our
separation, and not until the South is worse
of than she would have been by remaining in
the Union under an abolition admiration Of
the government"
These considerations wonld lead me 10 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-
dence of the United States, and our own en-
terprse, treasure and statesmen have helped
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 government, be-
cause, and only because onr rights in the
Union, and under the Constitution we had
helped to establish, we're denied u.s. II the
people of the North would now concede our
rights, and the Federal government secure
them to us, the danger with which we we're
threatened by remaining in the Union, and
the objection we had to it, would be removed,
and we might with honor and advantage re-
turn to IT,
The Federal government has proceeded so
far with the war that these are the only terms
of peace to which we could reasonably expect
it to agree and regret to say that have no
expectation that such terms will be proposed,
or would be accepted by that government
while the Presidential chair is occupied by the
present abolition incumbent But if, forum
ately, during his administration, or within a
reasonable time afterward such terms should
be offered | am free to say that / should pre-
fer their acceptance by our people to the con.
tnuance ofthe 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 eminently honorable to both parties
neither could claim the victory-while the
strength and yaor each has exhibited would
command the respect and admiration of the
other
To this extent l am "reeonstructionist.
But it must not be understood that | would
prefer reconstruction and peace on the terms
/, indicated 10 aaspeedy peace recognizing our
! independence-if that were possible nor must
! it 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 posterty, and for man
kind that we tshoud accept peace with our