The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1865-08-11

immense, but the principles which
must decide it one was or the other
are simple. When we deal with q
whole community, however closely
related to ourselves, it is not by the
application of the maximums of num-
icipal law as applied to individuals,
that we must decide the case, but by
a modified form of international law,
which so far from ignoring our re-
sponsibility to God, our common ru-
ler, or the obligation to recognize
the fundamental rights of men, nee
essary implies them all. Religion,
honor, republicanism, all call upon
us to see well TO it that we do not
allow the seeting and molten elements
to crystalize into new form of OPP
preston, and recognize as fully as
you possibly can the burden of re-
sponsibility which this great epoch
in the worlds history, rolls upon all
who have even the humblest part in
determining the shape of public pol
icy.
have approached the subject as
an anti. slavery man. have thought
as deeply as was capable of, and
have carefully revised my opinions
and tested them by all the f,indamen-
tai principles of right and justice. If
others do not agree with me, and it
part me from any whose principles
and motives are the same as my own,
my deep regret that it should be so
cannot change my convictions.
1t has seemed to me that the solu.
ton | have offered rids us of most of
most of the difficulties in our way
IL gives to the black man political
rights and franchises without oner-
Gus terms; it reduces the represen.
tation of the Southern whites in Con
gress to proper basis, their own
numbers; it secures the permanent
peace of the Government and the al
logiance of the people, by the only
sure guaranty, VIZ: that Of common
interest and identity oil Institutions.
, What more would you haveI
1t is worth while to consider that
in such plan as l have suggested,
there is that which is likely to attract
cooperation on the part OF rejecting
men in the Southern States. There
can be no question that some portion
of the sectional bitterness which
finally led to secession and war, was
caused by more or less distinct
perception of difficulties like these
we are considering, from which they
saw no reasonable outlet, and that
any plan which recognizes the facts
| have stated, and endeavors TO pro-
vide for them so as to secure mar.
mony and prosperity in the South,
will soon find advocates there. do
not mention this as an important ar
gument, because l fully accept the
responsibility which the military sub
jugation OF the rebel territory has
imposed upon us to determine the
matter by the counsels and the action
oi those who have been truly loyal,
and uot by those OF the disloyai OF
either sectieu. We must, however,
remember that the ultimate object we
aim ut must be TO return the people
of the South to their relations to the
Federal Government Is equal and
full participators in its righrs and
blessings. Through what delays or
intermediate steps, their own action
under the experimental organization
granted by the President, must de-
termiEe. But, in the end, the genius
of our institutions will tolerate no
unequal or sectional laws. Tie hom-
ogenity must be made perfect and
complete, for neither SUBJECT provin-
ces nor military proconsulships can
long Co oexist with republican gov
Iernment.
Such are my personal opinions up
on the subjects you have called to
my attention. For them, l alone am
Irresponsible. The subjects them
selves can in NO sense be matter for
Executive action in this State, and
whether / am elected or defeated,
Imy opinions will have only such
weight or influence as their own val
ue will entitle them to. As they will
not hinder me from giving cordial
support to the action of a loyal Fed
eral Goyernment,i if other views shall
finally prevail, have thought they
ought not to be made a ground of
opposition in the State canvass but
such as they are, they are the prduct
of honest thinking, and in view Of
the real Importance of the subject,
l woCl d not conceal them to receive
an election as unanimous as the nom
ination with which the convention
honored me.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,