Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-01-04
letter from =. Butler King, Of
Georgia.
Srtwrepb a. Iuoe &c lS63

oIANfbhbs IA. June ~, ioeos
RosERT II. WHITFIELD. Esq-DEsE SiR:-
Your favor Of the 18th lust. informing me that
..the presentation b. my friends Of nv name as
candidate Tor Congress IN tue First Congressional
District Of Georgia, has csllej forth paragraphs
in the Richmond papers 70 the effect that ! nm
reconstruetioust," etc, Was FORWARDED from nv
home % this place. where propose 10 spend
fortnight or three weeks
The friends who have thought proper to use
my name IN connection with the position referred
To- are perfectly familiar with tie sentiments
entertain o. the subject Of the war, aud the con
dtions upon which would favor peace and am
perfectly wiling that ms view those subjects
should he equally we'll known 20 the whole peo-
pie Of the country.
painful indsspesition which 1 nov suffer will
prevent my addressing you at much length. or
with much care, but hope 70 be able To deve
ope my views sufficiently 10 prevent any misap-
prehensOn IN regard TO them.
NV political record viii clearly how that
have ever maintained the right OF any Stat. or
number OF States. to withdraw from the Federal
Union and form a new government for them
selves and il will further show tlnI, alter the
election of Mr. Lincoln 10 the Presidency, al
vocated the propFiety and necessity OF such
course beng pursued by the State Of Georgia.
While advocated this measure, | profoundly
regretted she necessity for it. Nothing but firm
conviction that orr constitutional rights would be
denied and violated by the Lincoln Administfa-
ton prompted ard induced me to recommend the
secession of nv State. And when the ordin ince
OF secession was passed by our convention. in
dulged the hope and even the expectation that At
no distant period measures would be adopted BY
the Federal Government which would result in
such guarantees OF our rights within the Union as
would enable 10 return 10 it.
Nv hopes were soon dissipated nv the clash OF
arms and was behind none OF INV fellow citi
zens in declaring that must defend
try to the last man. have given 70 the field
every male member of my family. and to the
soldiers grave two who most dear TO me-
and although too far advanced in years TO render
mach military service, | willing and deter
mined, If it becomes necessary to continue my
feeble assis,ahcei in ny country defense
But war must end in peace; sooner or later
both parties must agree to terms upon which they
will Law 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 impossible for the Federal government
to subjugste our people: aid statesmen OF the
South cannot fail To perceive that the Federal
government cannot abandon the war. except on
restoration Of the Union, without danger of the
| further acknowledgements of the nation
Then unless both parties can be Influenced by
the spirit OF concession ard compro MISE - " ben
/ in the language of one OF our distinguished Sen
ators, lis this struggle TO end!" No man can
answer as - the years: hut he may safely answer
/ Mot until both parties exhausted and ruin
ed-not until the North il reduced TO a condition
worse than it would have been if she had quietly
acqniesced in our separation, ana not until the
South Is orse off than she wonld have been b,
remaining in the Union under an abolition admin
istration of the government"
| These considerations would lead me TO favo
any terms Of peace that the South could, with
a
| The energy, skill and blood of our father
helped to achieve and establish the independence
of the United States. ami enterprise
treasure and statesmen have helped to make th
nation one OF the greatest aud most powerful ol
the globe. We have the same RIG mt TO enjoy tin
i power and grandeur OF that nation as the peopl
of the North Our States cut the GOrtian knot
retired from the Union, ana formed a gov
ernment because and only because, our rights il
the Union, aud under the Constitution hat
helped 60 establish were denied US If the peopl
of the North would now concede eur rights, an
the Federal government secure them 20 us, Tia
danger with which We were threatened bv remain
ing in the Union. aud the objection we had to IL
would be removed. aud we might with honor an
advantage return to it.
The Federal Government has proceeded SO fla
with the war that these are the only terms o
peace to which could reasonably expect il L
agree; and | regret TO say that have no expec
tation that such terms will be proposed, or wou
| be accepted by that Government while the Presi
dental chair Is occupied By the present abolition
incumbent But if, fortunately. during his al
mnistratiOn. or within "A reasonable time after
ward such terms should DE Offered, | am free &
say should prefer their acceptance by our pee
pie TO the continuance of the war, which may re
suit in the desolation Of our country, and the rui
OF both North and South. peace on sue
: terms would be emlneutly honorable to both pan
ties-neither could claim the vctory-shile tn
strength and yalor each has exhibited would con
mand the respect and admiration of the other
To this extent | am ..recoustructions..
But il must not be understood that would pre-
fer reconstruction and peace on the terms nd
, Gated, TO speedy peace recognizing our indie
pendence-if that were possible uIust il b
> understood that doubt our ability To achieve OF
independence if the conflict is continued. But
believe 1t would be better for ourselves. Tor Gu
posterity. and FOR mankind. that should &c
cept peace with rights secured within tn
Union, than % continue the many wears
giving oceans OF blood, millions OF treasure, ~,
running country, fer Independence
| As vet the North hts manifested no Inc1ina
toi. to make peace on any reasonable terms; an,
until she eviuces pacific disposition, and hes
tilites are suspended for negotiation, nothing he
mains for u but devote al our energies, skill
aud resources 10 the CONFLICT
Hoping ese long 10 have the pleasure OF seeni
you in Richmond. when may talk tn
condition OF affairs and interchange our views i
detail.
lremain, sincerely your friend.
I BUrLER KING.