Year: 1863

from H. B. Curtis, ESQ, ard other gentlemen,
requesting me to become candidate for Con-
gress, and urging certain reasons why should
do So Courtesy demanded reply, and frank
ness required truthful utterance of my senti-
ments In declining to become candidate,
said: 1--WE must conquer and concilIate." And
in regard to the employment Of negro soldiers,
emphatically dissented from the proposed use of
"black bayonets


Having now resumed the duties and the rights
of a citizen, shall in good faith perform the one
and maintain the other.


Our country is in double peril. Mr.. Davis
aims vital blow by the attempted disruption of
the Union, and Mr. Lincoln has assumed despotic
powers under the plea Of carrying on the war
1t is then the duty of every good citizen to main
tain and encourage our gallant armies in resisting
the disruption OF the Union, and to resist at the
ballot box the encroachments upon their liberties
BY Mr.. Lincoln.


Would that this statement was overdrawn
Unfortunately it but feebly conveys an idea Of
the evil which threatens u.s. For the first time
in the history of our country has President
substantially proclaimed himself dictator, and by
the declaration of martial law from California -
Virginia and from Maine to Louisiana, made the
military paramount to the civil power, without
regard to the local existence of war.


lsit the purpose of Mr.. Lincoln to suppress or.
corrupt the elective franchise by the agency Of
the sword2


Let us reflect a moment before we reply.


Was Connecticut theatre of war during the
last gubernatorial election. when three thousand
Republican soldiers were sent to carry the eec
ton against Thomas H Seymour. while, at the
same election. Democratic soldiers. desirous of
voting for the candidate of their choice were re-
fused furloughsl If Mr.. Lincoln does not seek
to control elections. why this distinction between
Republican and Democratic soldiersl Was New
Hampshire theatre of war on the 18th Of March
lastg Ii not, where was the sembance OF excuse
for the President to interfere in the elections of
that State; and why did he, by gross abuse of
power. dismiss Lieut.. A. j. Edgery of the 4th
New Hampshire Infantry for voting the ticket
of his choicef That act of supreme wrong was
enforced by Special Order No. / I9 issued by the
command of the President over the signature of
the Secretary of War.


l will not stop to comment the armed inter
ference in the elections of Kentucky, Maryland
Delaware and Missouri-facts are fresh in the
memory of every citizen.


For the first time have citizens been arrested
without a legal charge. condemned without le-
gal trial. and inarcerated in military prisons,
without redress or appeal.


For the first time-and the people willing, it
will be the last-for the first time in the history
of this Government has citizen been arrested
for exercising the invaluable right of free discus
sion, and, in violation of the Constitution Of his
State, been sent into exile, and forced TO seek
protection under foreign flag.


For the first time in our history has an exiled
banished man, been chosen as the candidate OF a
great party, for the highest Office within the gift
OF the people of his State: and if the citizens of
Ohio are worthy of the freedom bequeathed to
them by their sires, for the first time will exile
he recalled from his banishment to act as the
Chief Magistrate of people sought to be en-
slaved, bat determined to be free


/ am forced to believe that the President either
does not desire the preservation of the UEion, or
that he does not comprehend the means by which
that end can be attained. In either case, we
need change in the administration of the Gov
ernment. We want statesmen who can rise TO a
level with the crisis, and who will inspire conf
dence from the lakes to the gulf.


This is the supreme moment in our history.
The preservation of the Union is OF vital interest,"
but the force of arms without magnanimity-
courage and skill, without justice ana generosity
never can restore our country to the happy. pros
porous and glorious position it occupied prior to
the war. Even Austria has conceded COnst-
tuition and parliament to Hungary, and before
the permanent Union OF our States can be secured
we must in good faith recognize the constitutional
rights of the Southern people, and grant them the
generous amnesty to which they are justly enti-
tied by their heroic devotion, even to mistaken
cause. During our war with Mexico our policy
was conciliatory. Peace commissioners accom-
panied the army, and we seized the earliest op-
portunity to secure an honorable termination of
the war. And although an empire lay conquered
at our feet we withdrew armies at the con
cusion of peace, without destroying town or
dismantlng fort Such was the wisdom and
humanity of our course that the Mexicans, who
received us with the bitterness of enemies, parted
with us with the regret of friends And at this
moment the advocates of liberty in Mexico turn
to US appealingly for aid


In a war of INVASION one OF two policies must
be pursued-to exterminate or conciliate. Can
any Christian man hesitate as to which policy
should be pursued toward our countrymen, even
misguided they are?


The subjugation of the South, would be the
bondage of ourselves. for it can only be effected
through the permanent agency OF large standing
armies, and their existence is incompatible with
liberty. On the contrary, the sword should be
entwined with the olive branch. and in letters OF
eternal light the constitution should be inscribed
upon our battle Hag. Such policy, can and
will preserve the Union when adopted. Let the
Southern people be made to feel that with the
Union their rights will be secured; and that this
sad war, caused by comparatively few men, North
and South, will only be remembered in sadness
and in tears.


1t may be asked whether | agree with all the
individual opinions of Mr.. Vallandigham in rela-
ton to the war. | answer no. but do agree
with the platform Of the convention which nom-
mated him; to which he has pledged himself, and
upon which, after mature deberation, | take my
stand. Mr. Lincoln has left me no other choice.
He has made the issue between unlimited power
and the constitution; between arbitrary arrests
and Punishment and civil liberty; between the
bayonet and the ballot-box. The overwhelming
nomination of Mr. Vallandigham was not in con
quence of his views as to the war; but because
he was strikeu down for the fearless exercise Of
the right of free debate. And though not man
of nervous fears, do ayow that l am alarmed
by the unwarranted assumption Of power by the
President


The general suspension OF the writ of babeas
corpus even in States removed more than a
thousand miles from the theatre of war, is suffi-
cient TO excite the gravest inquietude in the mind
os every citizen. And il this most mistaken and
dangerous measure be carried into execution. no
living man can foretell the consequences which
may ensue. For my own part, can only FORE
see the danger of the widest anarchy TO be sue
ceeded by an appalling despOtism. Who will be
up or who down; who living or who dead, no
man can tell. Ii is to blind ourselves to suppose
that the intense but suppressed feeling which ex-
| lists is confined to party leaders. In solemn
truth. they but dimly reflect the pent up passions
| of the people, and already the rumb.ing of the
volcano can be heard beneath the surface.


1t is time, then, for us all to ponder and reflect
before t is too late The out spoken voice of
the people at the bsIlot-box may yet convince
the President that he has been wrongly advised.
If these, my humble, but sincere and earnest
views, are published, / respectfully request that
the entire letter may be given, so that there may
be no Misrepresentation.


! When / reach Ohio ! will be ready to meet my
fellow-citizens at such places as may be desired
/ With earnest prayers for our country. remain,
very respectfully. your fellow citizen,
| Gropar w Mono