Year: 1864

,


., ROBERT H. .tWHfrFIELD, Esq.-Dear Sir |:
Your letter of the 18Th inst, Informing me
that "the presentation for Congress in the
First Congressional District Of Georgia has
called forth paragraphs in the Richm ond
papers to the effect that I am reconstruc-
tionst &c ;" was forwarded from my home
to me at this place where | propose to
spend fortnight or three weeks.


The friends who have thought proper to
use my name in connection with the posi-
ton referred to- are perfectly familiar with
the sentiments I entertain on the subject of
the war, and the conditions upon which |
would favor peace; and am perfectly viii
ling that my views on those subjects should
be equally well known to tho whole people
Of the country.


a painfulindisposition which now suffer
will prevent my addressing you at much
length, or with much care, but l hope to
be able to develop my views sufficiently to
prevent any misappreheusion in regard to
them. rs- ,G5--


Ny political record will clearly show that
| have ever maintained the right Of any
State, or number of States, to withdraw
from the Federal Union, and form new
government for themselves; and it will fur
ther show that, after the election of Mr..
Lincoln to the Presidency, [ advocated the
pIopr!ety and necessity OF such course
being pursued by the State of Georgia.
i While advocated this measure, l pro
foundly regretted the necessity for it.
Nothing but a firm conviction that our con-
stitutiona rights would be denied aud vio-
~ n or


prompted and induced mo to Recommend
the secession of my State. And when the
Ordinance of Secession was passed by our
Convention, lndulged the hope and even
, the expectation that, at no distant period,
measures would be adopted by the Federal
Government which would result in such
guarantees of our rights within the Union
as would enable us to return to 1t.
5 Ny hopes were soon dissipated by the


clash of arms, and was behind none Of my


fellow citizens in declaring that we must
defend our country to the last man. have
given to the field every m lie member OF my
family, and to the soldiers grave two who
were most dear to me. and although too far
advanced in years to render much military
service, am willing and determined, if it
DoCOlQta uCCCSSdi w i"No'O
assistance in my country's defense.


But war must end in peace; and sooner
or later both parties must agree to terms
upon which they will lay aside their arms.
The events of the past two years should be
sufficient to convince eve.y reasonable man,
both North and South, that it is impossible
for the Federal Government to subjugate
our people; aud statesmen of the South can
not tail to perceive that the Federal Gov
ernment cannot abandon the war. except on
a restoration of the Union, without danger
of the further dismem berment of the ma
| ton.


! Then, unless both parties can be in1u-
enced by the spirit of concession and com
promise "Whcn,' in the language OF one OF
our distinguished Senators, sis this strug-
gle to end?" No man can answer as to the
number of years; but he may safely answer,
Not until both parties are exhausted and
ruined-not until the North is reduced to
a condition worse than 1T would nave been
if she had quietly acquiesced il our sepa,
ration, and not until the South Is worse OF
than she would have been by remaining in
the Union under an Abolition Adminlstra-
tion of the Government"


These considerations would lead me to ia
vor any terms of peace that the South could,
with a proper regard for her interests and
honor, accept.


The energy, skill and blood of our fathers
helped to achieve and establish the lnde-
pendence of the United States, and our own
enterprise, treasure and statesmen have
helped to make the nation one of the great
est and most powerful on the globe. We
have the same right to enjoy the power and
grandeur Of that nation as tho people oil the
North. Our States cut the Gordian knot,
retired from the Union, and formed new
Government, because--and only because
our rights in the Union, and under the Con-
sttution we had helped to establish, weie
denied us. II the people of the North
would now concede our rights, and the Fed
eral Government secure them to us, the
danger with which we were threatened by
remaining in the Union, and the objection
we had to it would be removed, and we
might with honor and advantage return
to 1t.


The Federal Government has proceeded
40 far with the war that these a,e the
only terms of peace to which We could rea-
sonably expect it to agree; and 1regret to
say that have no expectation that such
terms will be proposed, or would be accep
ted bv that Government while the Presi
dental Chair is occupied by the present Alb
oltion incumbent. Butt if, fortunately, dur
ing his Administration, or within reasona
bic time afterward such terms should be
offered, I am free to say that | should pre-
Ter their acceptance by our people to the
continuance of the war, which must result
in the desolation Of our country, aDd the
ruin Of both North and South. A peace
on such terms would be eminently honor
able to both parties neither could claim the
victory while the strength aud valor each
has exhibited would command the respect
and admiration Of the other.