Year: 1865

WASHINGTON, D. c., July %, 1862
Guthbert BullsH, Esq, New Orleans. La:


SIR-The copy of letter, addressed to your.
self by Mr.. Thomas j. Durant, has been shown
to me. The writer appears to be an able,
dispassionate, and an entirely sincere man.
The first part of letter is devoted to an effort
to show that the secession ordinance of Louis
lana was adopted against the will of majority
of the people. This is probably true, and in
that fact may be found some instruction. Why
did they allow the ordidance to 60 into effect?
Why did they not exert themselves? Why
stand passive and allow themselves to be trod-
den down by q minority? Why did they not
hold popular meetings. and have convention
of their own to express and enforce the true
sentiments of the State. If reorganization
was against them, then why not do this, now
that the United States army Is present to pro-
tect them? The paralyzer-the dead palsy-of
the government in the whole struggle is, that
that this class of men will do nothing for the
goverment-nothing for themselves-except
demanding that the government shall not strike
its enemies, lest they be struck by accident


Mr.. Durant complains that, in various ways,
the relation of master and slave is disturbed BY
the presence of our army; and he considers It
particularly vexatious that this in part, Is done
stitutional guarantees are superadded on the
plea of military necessity. The truth is, that
what Is done and omitted about slaves Is done
and omitted on the same military necessity. 1t
Is military necessity to have men and money;
and we cannot get either In sufficient numbers
or amounts. If we keep from or drive from our
lines slaves coming to them.


Mr.. Uuront cannot be ignorant of the pres
sure in this direction, nor Of my efforts to hold
1t within bounds, till he, and such as he, shall
have time to help themselves.


I am not posted to speak understandingly on
the public regulations of which Mr. Durant
complains. Nexperience shows any of them
to be wrong, let them be set right I think
can perceive, in the freedom of trade which Mr.,
Durant urges, that he would relieve both
friends and enemies from the pressure of the
blockade. By this he would serve the enemy
more effectively than the enemy is able to serve
himself.


do not say or believe that to serve the en-
emy is the purpose of Mr., Durant, or that he is
conscious Of any purposes other than national
and patriotic ones. Still, If there were class
of men. who, having no choice of sides in the
contest were anxious only to have quiet and
comfort for themselves while 1t rages, and to
fall in with the victorious side at the end of it.
without loes to themselves, their advice as to
the mode of conducting the contest would be
precisely such as his.


He speaks of no duty, apparently thinks of
none, resting upon Union cause that they
suOuiQ Uc CcStIlc60 III uouc auu piSSaRe, Wltns
out taking sides. They are to touch neither q
sail nor q apump-live merely passengers Ctdead
heads" at that) to be carried snug ana dry
throughout the storm, and safely landed right
side up. Nay, more-even mutineer Is to 90
untouched, lest these sacred passengers receive
an accidental wound.


OF course the rebellion will never be sup
pressed Ia Louisiana, If the professed union men
there will neither help to do it. nor permit the
INT IN do Will thofr hal,


Now, think the true remedy is very differ
ent from what is suggested by Mr.. Durant. It
does not lie in rounding the rough angles of
the war, but in removing the necessity for the
war. The people Of Louisiana who wish pro-
lection to person and property, have but to
reach forth their hands and take it. Let them
in good faith reinaugurate the national author
ity, and set up State government conforming
thereto under the constitution. They know
how to do It, and can have the protection of
the army while doing it. The army will be
withdrawn so soon as such government can
dispense with its presence, and the people of
the State can then, upon the old terms gov.
ern themselves to their own liking. This ia
very simple and easy.


If they will do this-f they prefer to hazard
all for the sake of destroying the government


lit is Tor them to consider whether it is prob
able will surrender the government to save
them from losing ALL If they decline what I
suggest, you scarcely need to ask what win
do.


What would you do in my position? Would
you drop the war where it is; or would Won
prosecute it in future with elderstalk souirts.
charged with rose water? Would vou deal
lighter blows rather than heavier ones? Would
You give up the contest, leaving every avail.
able means unapplied?


I am In no bosstful mood. shall not do
more than can, but ! shall do all can to save
the government, which is my sworn duty as