Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-09-22
LETTER OF HON. GEORGE AsHMuN,
OF lIAssACHTsETFs


SPRINGFIELD, Mass, September I6, 1866.
--GeateRen II Concerning, as I most heart
iiy do, m the purposes Of your proposed
meeting in New York on the 18th Of this
month, l am nevertheless compelled to say,
in reply to your invitation to be present,
that my engagements will not allow me to
comply with your request
You propose "to respond to the action Of
the Union Convention in Philadelphia"
and l am sure that New York will return a
most hearty response in affirmation and APP
probation of that action. The honor of New
York, as well as the intelligence of its peo-
pie and its interests in a restored integrity
of our Union, all combine TO give assurance
of such result, both at your preliminary
popular gatherings, and at the final adjust
ment at the elections which are TO follow
! am glad TO see this assurance strengthened
by the united, earnest action of gentle
men all over your State, as well as on your
committee, who have heretofore been widely
separated upon by-gone PARTY issues, which
the march Of time and events has trampled
out Of sight and out of existence. And this
assurance is not weakened by the fact that
the path along which you propose to tread
is Illuminated by the great heart and great
intellect of son of your own State, who has
done and suffered more than any living man
for the cause Of human rights and constitu-
tional government, and whose successful la
bors in keeping the peace of the world, at 4
time when the bad passion of some Of our
own people, and the worst tendencies of for
eign governments, seemed ready TO plunge
US into a general conhagration, gives him the
highest title to beckon us onward; where he
leads it is safe at least to follow. And it
would be shameful, indeed, if now his own
State should falter and fail for lack of faith
in his fidelity l will not believe it. And
surely In New York the name Of Mr..
SEWARD should be a protection, If any
were needed, against the foul imputa-
tons upon the motives of the President of
the United States in his efforts for an i'm
mediate and safe restoration Of the Union of
the States.
l know Mr.. JOHNSON we'll. He is hon
est, sagaeious, true and firm, and all such
imputations upon his motives are most I'M
just. know, too, that he is faithfully fol-
lowing the same line of generous and far
seeing policy which guided Mr.. LINCOLN I'D
to the hour of his death, and cannot be
brought to doubt either its expediency or
its justice. Certainly no higher or holier |
T.,
be suggested than that of desire for the |
immediate restoration to friendly relations |
Of those parts of our country which have |
been alienated. The war, followed by a |
solid and lasting peace, may, after all, prove |
a blessing. But hollow truce, out of |
which fiery passions and INSCRIPTIONS per-
sonal ambitions seek to make profitable har- |
vest, cannot be anything but curse. Res
toration, upon the basis of mutual interests
and mutual honor, promises everything |
which an honest heart can desire; and the |
resolutions of the Union Convention at
solemnly made and acceded
to by Southern representatives Of high per
sonal character and position, give us all the
: guarantees for the future" which can be
asked or wanted.
Vengeance, hatred, heart-burnings and i'll |
blood, can be stimulated by high-sounding
words of elimination and savage threats of
war; but if we desire restored |
commerce between the alienated States, a
restored credit for our National currency. re-
stored prosperity to the industry of every
part OF our great country, and renewed and
increased power to present an undivided and |
lnbroken front upon all National questions
,oward the rest of the world, let us at once.
without hesitation or reluctance, extend to
he Southern States the most precious pOliti-
al right of constitutional government
he right Of representation, and thus make
lur Union "Nog and forever, one and in
Invisible"
The issue, and the only issue for trial by
he people to-day, is as to this right by rep
esentation. Other questions are started by
Idroit partisan managers who seek to dis
ract attention from the great and vital one.
But all others should be subordinate to this
me of representation. Shall the Southern
states be treated by us as conquerors would
Ieal with conquered territory, or should they
'e recognized as States of the Union, with
quail and unquestionable rights of represen-
alton in Congress? In other words, shall |
re have Union or disunion? Let that issue
e kept broadly and fully in the public !
nind, and we may safely await the final
Judgment Of the people. The passions of the !
our may, and undoubtedly will, in some
arts of the country, have sway for while;
ut the final judgment viii be against fac
ion and for the Union.
Respectfully, yours,
GEORGE AsHMUN.
To Messrs. BLATCHFoRD and others. Com