Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-08-15
LETTER FROM PRESIDENT LINCOLN TO
COUNT DE GASPARIN.


The following letter addressed by President
Lincoln to the Count de Gssparin, one of the
warmest friends Of the United States in Europe,
who had written to the President concerning the
state Of the country, will be read with interest -
4 Executive MANSION, WASHINGTON, Aug. A.
/ lS62.-To Count A. de Gasparin- Dear Sir -
Your very acceptable letter, dated at 0rbe,
Canton de Vaud, Switzerland, 18th Of July, 1862,
10 received. The moral effect was the worst OF
the affair before Richmond, and that has run it's
course downward. We are now at a stand, and
shall soon be rising again, as We hope. believe
1t is true that, in men and material, the enemy
suffered more than We in that series Of conflicts,
| while il is certain he is less able to bear it,
With us every soldier is man Of character,
and must be treated with more consideration
thnn is customary in Europe. Hence our great
army, for slighter causes than could have pre-
vailed there, has dwinded rapidly, bringing the
necessity for new call earlier than was antici-
pated. We shall easily obtain the new levy
however. BE not alarmed if you shall learn that
we ahal have resorted TO draft for part Of this.
1t seems strange even to me, but il is true, that
the Government is now pressed to this course
by a popular demand. Thousands who wish not
to personally enter the service, are nevertheless
anxious to pay aud send substitutes, provided
they can have assurance that unwilling persons,
similarly situated, will be compelled TO do like
enter newly formed regiments while drafted men
can be sent to fill up the old ones, wherein man
for man they are quite doubly as valuable.
You ask, "Why is il that the North, with her
great armies, so often is found with inferiority
Of numbers face to face with the armies Of the
South :" While painfully know the fact, a
military man, which am not would better
answer the question. The fact know has not
been overlooked, and suppose the cause Of it's
continuance lies mainly in the other fact that the
enemy holds the interior and we the exterior
lines, and that We operate where the people convey
information to the enemy, while he operates
where they convey none to US.
have received the volume and letter which
you did me the honor OF addressing to me, and
for which please accept my sincere thanks. You
are much admired in America for the ability of
your writings, and much loved for your gener-
osity to us and your devotion to liberal princi-
pies generally.
You ore quite right as to the Importance to US,
for its bearing upon Europe, that we should
achieve military successes, and the same is true
for US at home as we'll ss abroad. Yet 1t seems
unreasonable that series Of successes, extend
ing through half year, and clearing more thaa
a hundred thousand square miles Of country,
should help us so little, while q single half
defeat should hurt so much. But let us be
patient.
| am very happy to know that my course has
not conficted with your judgment Of propriety
and policy. can only say that have acted
upon my best convictions, without selhshness or
malice, and that, by tho help Of God, shall
continue to do so.
Please to be assured of my highest respect and
esteem. A. LINcohE.