Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-06-07
Extraordinary Letter from Greeley
a., afucofn.
rThe century for June.i

fThe Century for June
The following extraordinary letter was
written by Horace Greeley 10 President Lin
coin after the battle Of Bull Run, and Is
printed for the first time 10 the "Lincoln
Life" in the June Century. IL viii be re-
membered that before the battle Dir. Greeley
had kept a standing headline 10 hts paper
urging the armies Forward TO Richmond
Forward 10 Richmond:
"NEw YORK, Monday, July 20, 1861
Midnight.
"Dear Sir, --This IL nv seventh sleepless
nignt-youTs, too. doubt'ess-yet | think
shall not die, because have no right TO die.
must struggle 20 live, however bitterly.
But TO business. You are not considered
great man, and l am a hopeIessiy broken
one. You are now undergoing terrible or
deal, aud God has thrown the gravest re-
sponsibilities upon you. Do not fear 10
meet them. Can the reOels be beaten after
all that has occurred, aud in view OF the
actual state OF feeling caused by our
late awful disaster? II they can-and
Il is your business TO ascertain and
decide, write me that such Is your judy
ment, so that I may know and do my duty.
And II they cannot be beaten-if our recent
disaster is fatal-do not fear 10 sacrifice your
self to your country. IL the rebels are not
10 be beaLen--if that Is your judgment Ia
view OF all the light you can get-tbcn
every drop OF blood hepeeiorth she'd In this
quarrel Will be wantonly. wickedly shed.
and the guilt will rest heavily on the soul OF
every promoter OF tbs crime. pray you to
decice quickly aud let me know my duty.
"If the Union is irreyocably gone an
armlstice for 30. so. 80, 100 days-better stu,
for a year-ought az once 10 be proposed
with view 10 a peaceful adjustment. Then
Congress should call q national convention
TO meet at the earliest possible day. And
there should be an immediate and mutual
exchange or release OF prisoners and dis
bsudment OF forces. l do not COZ.
slider myself at present Judge OF
anything but the public sentiment.
That seems to me everywhere gather.
ing and deepening against prose-
cutlou OF the war. The gloom In this city Is
fuuereal--for our dead at Bull Run were
many, aud they lie unburled yet. On every
brow sits sullen, scorching, black despair.
IL would be easy TO have Mr.. Critlenden
move any proposition that ought 10 be
adopted, or to have II come from any proper
quarter. The first point is TO ascertain what
is best that can be done which Is the mea-
sure Of our duty, and do that very thing at
the earliest moment.
"ThIs letter Is written In the strictest con-
fidence, and is for your eye alone. But you
are at liberty TO say TO members OF your
Cabinet that you kTO,o | will second any
move YOU may see tit TO make. Bot do no.
thing timidly nor by halves. Send me word
what to do. | will live till / can hear it at
all events. II it is best for the country and
for mankind that we make peace with the re-
bells ut once and on their own terms, do not
shrink even from that. But bear in mind
the greatest truth: Whose would lose his
life for my sake shall save IT, DO the thing
that is the highest right, and tell me how l
am to second you.
"Yoys in the depths OF bitterness,
"IIORACE GREELEY"