Year: 1861

reluctance which both parties feel to engage in
conflict, the issues of which are more momentous
than the worl0 has ever witnessed in the history
of cOntending nations.


The extraordinary circumstances attending the
assault upon and surrender of Fort Sumter-that
not man was killed or dangerously wounded on
either side, under terrific fire with well apDon-
ted artillery, directed by officers of acknowledged
ability during thirty three hours, is fact that
ought to speak to the parties in this impending
struggle, with the emphasis of a voice from
heaven, warning them to beware how thev begin
the work of death. Connect with this fact that
other circumstance, that at the critical moment
when the relief squadron should have borne to
the beleagured garrison the requisite assistance
to maintain its position, then the rising of gale
drove the vessels far out to sea- and rendered sue
cor and deliverance alike impracticable and hope
less. In directing attention to taese things as in
dicatng to a thoughtful mind the Intervention of
Divine Providence. at such time and in such
case, trust, sir, am not travelling beyond the
range of those pious reflections to which your
position and Christian profession so naturally
lead. | can not but indulge the hope that anOth-
er effort to heal our unhappy divisions and restore
peace to distracted people will be made before
struggle is begun, which, end as it may, must be
attended by incalculable suffering, and leave
wounds never to be healed 1t was ouly last eve
ming that | received from distinguished gentle
man residing in Philadelphia, a letter in which he
says, "a large part of the North, sincerely be
lieve, deprecate bloodshed and civil war / have
just signed petition to the President to suspend
hostilities till one more effort at peaceful confer
ence shall be made"


A hearty response, doubt not, will be gwen
to this proposal from every part of the country.
But will the Government second it2 The people
of the South ask only for peace; they say to you
take the army the navy, the munitions of war,
the treasury, and let us separate from you in
peace.


For the forts and custom houses seized on our
territory, for the armaments and arsenals we have
taken we will account to the last dollar, and
make payment. 1--WE are brethren; let US not
strive" NO" it is replied, eve can not treat
with rebels-dignity demands that We punish
traitors and the insulters of our hagw All, sir,
the argument founded upon the plea of dignity,
has ruined many a man; and not unfrequently,
nations. And thus every position taken by the
Federal Government since the commencement OF
these troubles, even its inaction, which at first
seemed to betoken peace, has tended to widen the
breach-the steady refusal of the dominant party
in Congress to entertain any offers at accommo-
daton-the stern rejection of the Crittenden reso-
lutions-the neglect of Congress to submit to the
States the proposition of the peace conference, to
amend the Constitution-the refusal of the Re
publican party to bring forward any proposals for
the settlement of our difficuties-have all tended
to ALLEVIATE the South more and more, to weaken
the interest among the masses for the Union, from
day to day, until the maiorites for Union in Lou
isiana, Tennessee. Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri,
North Carolina ard Virginia, have melted away
into weak minorities, helpless and powerless,
while the defiant, insulting and threatening tone
OF fthe Northern press, has at last impressed the
people of the Southern States fully with the idea
that the North looks upon US as degenerate and
degraded, morally, socially and politically, and
really desires intercourse friendly relations
with us. Why not, then, in the name of reason
Justice and humanity, let us go to ourselves and
fulfill our destiny Heaven may appoint.


You know, sir, it is maxim consecrated by
the experience of the world in morals, religion
and political science, that men may be led when
they can not be driven. You know, and need
not be reminded, that the power which control:
the hearts and wills of men resides not in the
"whrlwnd"-the passions of men, "nor in the
fire'-the prosecuting spirit of men, "nor in the
eartrquake"-the strength of argument and elo
quence; but in the "still, small voice" of kind
ness and love that speaks gently as the whisper o.
the dying breeze. Oh, sir, speak but the word:
of genteness and Cancellation to your country
men, driven and tossed by contending passions
like the waves of the troubled sea, and who
knows but that God, the "God of peace" will
bless your word and deed, and by his might,
power "still the noise of the waves and the mad
ness of the people" Go to the President anC
urge him to desst from all hostile measures anC
efforts to compel unwilling obedience to hi
Government.


If to do good, be your object, and you sue
ceed. the blessings of millions will be yours i
earthly fame be your wish. you will have erectec
monument for yourself. second only in tn,
grandeur and beauty of its proportions to his o
whom alone, among the sons of men, it has beer
truthfully said He tods first in ,oar, first IL
in peace, md first in the hearts Of his country
men"


Ipray your indulgence for trespassing so mucl
on your time, and beg leave to subscribe myself
with profound consideration,


Your friend and obcdent servant,
j. A. II. OTEY.