Year: 1860

LOWELL, Mass, NOV. 70, lo6V.


My DEAR SIR Your letter was re-
ceived at Concord on Saturday, and l
should have answered it while there if l
could have found little interval of leisure.
l am here to-day on business, and can
therefore scarcely do more than to thank
you; but let 50 much, at least, be said.
The apprehensions which you so forcibly
express did not increase mine, You know
how sincerely and earnestly l have for
years deprecated the causes which, if not
removed, l foresaw must produce the fear
full crisis which is now upon us; and l
know how Intellectual, in this section, have
been all warnings Of patriotism and ordina-
ry forecast. Now, for the first time, men
are compelled to open their eyes, as if
aroused from some strange delusion, upon
foil view of the nearness end magnitude OF
impending calamities. 1t is worse than idle
it is foolhardy-to discuss the question of
probable relative suffering and loss in diff
terent sections of the Union. In case of
disruption we shall all be involved in COM
mon financial embarrassment and ruin, and,
l fear, in common destruction, so much
more appalling than any attendant upon
mere sacrifice Of property, that one involun-
tarily turns from its contemplation. 10 my
mind one thing is clear-no wise man can,
under any existing circumstances, dream of
coercion. The first blow struck in that
direction will be blow fatal even to hope.


You have observed, of course, how seri-
ously commercial confidence, and conse-
quently the price of stocks, &C., have al
ready been shaken at the North, and yet
there is in the public mind very imperfect
apprehension of the real danger. Still
there are indications of disposition to re-
peal laws directed against the constitutional
rights of the southern States-such as per-
sonal liberty bills, &c.,-and if we could
get little time, there would seem to be
ground of hope that these just causes of
distrust and dissatisfaction may be removed.
trust the South will make large draft on
their devotion to the Union, and be guided
by the wise moderation which the exigency
so urgently calls for. Can it be that this
flag, with all the stars in their places, is
no longer to float at home, abroad, and al
ways as an emblem of our united power,
common freedom and unchs llenged security?
Can it be that it is to 60 down in darkness,
If not in blood, before we have completed
single century of our independent national
existence? 1agree with you that madness
has ruled the hour in pushing forward
line of aggressions upon the South but /
will not despair of returning reason, and of
re-awakened sense of constitutional right
and duty. l will still look with earnest
hope for the full and speedy vindication of
the coequal rights and coequal obligations
of these States, and for restored fraternity
under the present Constitution-fraternity
secured by following the example of the
fathers of the Republic-fraternity based
upon admission and cheerful maintenance
OF all the provisions and requirements of
the sacred instrument under which they and
their children have been so signally blessed.
When that hope shall perish, if perish it
must, lite itself, my friend, will lose its
value for you and me. It is apparent that
much will depend upon the views expressed,
and the tone and temper manifested, during
the early days of the session of Congress
now near at hand. May the God of our
fathers guide the coupsels OF these who, in
the different departments of government,
are invested, in this critical epoch, with
responsibilities unknown since the sitting of
the convention which framed the Constitu-
tiOn. Your friend,


FRANKLIN PIERCE.