Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-09-08
NAHsNr. August 25
(Signed)

GENTLEMEN: | have To acknowledge the re-
cept of your letter Of the Goth, addressed to me
in New York
If YOUR letter was in effect an appeal only to
my own sentiments in favor of a reunion of par
ties, should not hesitate to renounce any per-
sonal views. but would be entirely ready to defer
to the public opinion which your names repre-
sent
But the conditions are no longer the same as
when / expressed my readiness 10 retire in the
event Of contingency which might have
occurred at Baltimore. Having definitely
accepted the Cleveland nomination, have not
the right to act independently OF the truly patri-
otto and earnest party who conferred the honor
upon ne. la any event, il would be necessary
first TO consult with them. Ii might besides, have
only the effect still further 10 unsettc the public
mind, and defeat the object you have in view. il
we should disorganize before first proceeding 10
organize something better.
To this end | suggest that direct effort be
made to obtain an immediate understanding be-
tween the supporters ofthe Baltimore and Cleve-
land nominations, in order that the friends of
both may coalesce and unite upon early dav
for holding such aconvention as you propose.
am satisfied that do not assume too much in
saying that nv friends will unite heartily in such
a movement.
A really popular convention, upon a broad and
liberal basis, so that it could be regarded as a
convocation in mass of the people, and not the
work of politicians, would command public con-
fdencc. Such convention, acting in the large
and liberal spirit in which it was called. without
consideration OF persons or political cliques, and
without reference to by-gone situations, rising to
the level of the occasion and taking the condi-
tons of the country as they present themselves
to-day, could safely be trusted to propose such a
nd nd
doubiedly would, receive the cordial and united
support of the patriotic masses of the people To
the great body of these, SO far as nv information
allows me TO form any opinion. ! think tsat the
following propositions would be acceptable:
Respect for the practical liberty aud the
constitutional rights and dignity of the citizen.
, The maintenance of the dignity of the
United States in their relations TO foreign
powers
3 The establishment of the Union: by
peace, if it is possible; by war, if the employ
ment Of peaceful measures cannot be made to
succeed.
Much has been said of late about peace. and
you will therefore excuse me il / say here what
| understand BY IT, For me, peace signifies the
integral re establishment Of the Union, without
slavery; because slavery is the source of all or
political discussions, and because the institution
itself is condemned by the enlightened and lib
eral spirit of the age. These to me the es-
sentisl conditions of peace If il is practicable
to attain this result, it would not be paying too
dearly for it-taking also into consideration the
material strength which the South has been per-
mtted to acquire by the conduct of the war-to
make concessions upon some points of secondary
importance, such as that of paying an indemnity
for their slaves to those who have remained in n
sort OF neutral condition during the unhappy war
a. In. nj fba To q
this. we are expanding life and money; il
would certainly be gain to reduce it simply to
question of money
II. in spite of all these efforts 10 spare the
South humiliation losses of capital likely 10
be too severely felt. the political chiefs who di-
rect the South persist in war then the policy of
the convention should be to pronounce in that
case for war with all the force and energy Of the
nation For peace. upon any terms. and merely
because 1t IL peace-a peace recognizing North
and a South-would not bring about stable
equilibrium. II would only prepare the way for
new struggles. and for condition of disastrous
anarchy
The paramount question is the Union. b.
peace. # il can be had on honorable and right
terms-by war, If the political leaders who are
directing the South insist upon war.
The situation Of our country is unquestonably
critical /, demands the devotion and the pa
triotism of all men VINO really love their couu-
try, and II is one of those moments when all per
sonal aspirations should vanish in the face OF the
great questions Of principle and nstsnal exist
ence which are AZ stake
Thanking you, gentlemen. for the evidence
which your letter gives me Of your confidence in
my disposition to do everything in nv power for
the Interests Of the country.
am, very truly yours.
! FRENoNT.