Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1864-10-26
MR.. BOYCE,s LETTER.
W1sNsBoRo', S. c., Sept. 90, 1856


WrsSspoRo', S. c., Sept. 90, 1864.
His Ercellency, Jefferson Davis:
SIR: The Democratic party of the Unit
ed States, in their recent Convention at
Chicago, resolved that if they attained
power they would agree to aa armistice
and a Convention of all the States, to con-
slider the subject of peace. think that
action demands favorable response from
our Government. You are the only person
who can make that response, because our
Congress does not meet until after the
time appointed for the Presidential cleo
ton. If OFT Congress met in time, l
should propose the action desire taken to
that body, and submit to its Judgment my
argument; but as that opportunity does not
occur, have no alternative but to remain
silent, or address myself to you. cannot
consistently, with my ideas of duty, re-
main silent. | therefore address myself
to you. We are waging war to obtain
satisfactory peace. By a satisfactory
peace, 1 mean a peace consistent with the
preservation Of our free institutions BY
satisfactory peace, do not mean that
cessation of hostlities which might, after
a protrscted contest, result from the ex-
haustion of the belligerents, whereby the
sword would fall from their nerveless
hands, their hearts a prey to the furies.-
Such peace as that would be but hol-
low truce, in which each party would be
necessarily preparing for new, final and
decisive struggle. The peace which l
mean is peace which reconciles the inte-
rests and the feelings of the belligerents !;
peace, in short, which restores harmony.
Unless we can obtain such peace as this,
our republican institutions totter to their
fall, and we become the subjects of a mill
tary despotism. Every Government must
exist; that is the law Of its being. If it
is attacked by greater force it must bring a
proportionately great force to its defence.
Fits form is such as not to furnish military
strength to the full extent Of its means, it
must disregard that form. The Republi-
can form, especially the form of a Confed-
eracy Of free States, is not the best adapt
ed for war; In fact it is peace establish
ment. The form best adapted to war is a
national military despotis,n. The Republic
at war is gradually passing into military
despotsln. AS the war continues and the
pressure Of its enemy increases, this
transition is accelerated. A Republic
forced to the wall by powerful enemy
must end in despotism. If we turn opl
eyes to Europe we find only two nation'
with. free institutions, Great Britain anc
Switzerland Why is this! The reason
is obvious. The necessity of being con
stantly in the highest state of preparation
for war, conapels every country to the ut
most development Of its military strength
Absolute government is part of tina
state Of preparation, and therefore absolut
government is the ordinary condition.
there were no other obstacle to Franc
being a republic, the immense standin
armies she is compelled to keep CONSTANT
under arms, would be conclusive. Franc
is compelled to keep 100000 men Away
in arms. France is obliged therefore t
be what she is, a military despotism.-
Take the case of Prussia in the celebrate
seven years war. Suppose her institution
had been liberal, what would have bee
the result2 Frederick the Great woul
either have had to abandon the struggle
or seize all power. Nothing but absolut
power in the hands of Frederick enable
him to come forth victorious from the col
test. lie sacrificed everything else
Prussia to the one idea of military strength
As Prussia had no natural defences, an
was greatly inferior in strength to th
other great powers, it was necessary
give exclusive development to the militia,
idea, this Frederick did. AS Macau
said, he made Prussia "all sting" TIL
was logical in Frederick. To save Pruss
it was necessary to give her the maximu
of military strengtli-he did this. Pr,
sia still Las place on the map, but
made no effort TO save liberty. Freder:
found Prussia an absolute monarchy,
left it an entrenched camp. Liberty "
never thought Of 1t is impossible in h
condition. If Prussia with her excelle
nopulatioa were at vast distance fro
where she is. and protected by oceans a.
mountains, she mi ght be republic b
where she is, it is impossible. On the &C
t;nont of Europe no State can exist wi
..oe ;n<t;tntions.. because the form OF &c
eminent must be anch as furnishes
rreatest a:nonnt Of military strength.
Psrhsns it may be said that switzerla
eontralicts my theory. 1reply that nat. s $
Island IL All exceptional Casa 10" ne
zs s'"". naonIe buried IN remote va!l
surrounded by -inacccsslole no Resi-
'hav are not worth con1uerlhg. a%sr
themutual jealousy Of the gFea;. p ,Ia o
t the;r real safeguard. England IS 'ns sy' u
the'l roo '"J ' rree newer IN Europe. LII