Year: 1863

BosroN, Aug. "a, 1868.
james Z. Conkting, Esq, Chairman, &C.:


MY DEAR SIR received, few days ago,
your letter of the 18TH, inviting me to attend
the Grand Mass Meeting of the unconditional
Union men OF the State of Illinois, to he held
on the "a OF September, in Springfield.
1t will not be in my power to attend the
meeting, but its objects, as explained by you
have my cordial sympathy.


The elections soon to be held will be of more
than usual Importance. They will throw light
on the great question, how far it is possible for
free Government, constituted in its legisla-
tive and executive branches by popular choice
to prosecute with vigor war of considerable
duration, and which entails heavy burdens on
the community. AS representative Govern
ment is mainly carried on by party Organizl-
ton, the great interests of the community
both in peace and war, are too apt to become
the arena in which the opposite parties strive
for the mastery. Questions, in themselves of
secondary Importance to the general welfare,
are often contested with vehemence and pas
sior, and that by men of ability and patriotism,
working themselves up to the belief that they
are contending for matters of vital importance.
Wlthn my experience, the policies of the
country have successfully turned from four or
five questions, regarded at the time as of the
greatest moment, but now utterly obsolete and
forgotten.


These Improbable contests, while they last,





Administration of the General Government for
the time being which finds itself thwarted in
all Its meas 'res, however patriotic and benef-
cial their tendency by indiscriminate Opposi-
tlon, aiming only at an electiOneering triumph
Ihls Is very serious evil even in time of
peace, greatly enhancing the difficulties and
burdens OF public life, and highly detrimental
to the public interest.


In time of war the evil becomes one of tre-
mendous magnitude. The questions that then
present themselves are naturally more impOr-
tant than ordinary po itical issues in time of
peace, while every blow struck at the measures
OF the Government, though designed only to
AFFECT change OF administration, really affords
| aid and comfort to the enemy


This will be the case when the opposition to
the Government measures is sincerely dictated
by honest difference of opinion. Nay. it will
ever be the case when the opposition is direct
| ed against measures palpably mistaken either
on grounds OF principle or policy. No admin
istratlon is free from error, and if party spirit
Is allowed to prevail, its errors will he severely
crilclSed, usually exaggerated, and often fierce
~ denounced, till the attention Of the country,
instead OF being fixed on the great ard main
questions on which all good patriots are agreed
Is turned to side issues of minor. or often fac.
utlous Importance In this way the admins
tratlon OF the Government is weakened and
embarrassed, and the vigorous prosecution of
ihe war, which every patriotic citizen admits
10 oe the paramount object is in some degree
parazed.


have doubted the policy of some measures
OIL the Administration, and strongly disap-
proved others; but regarding the persons in
power for the time being as the constitutional
agents of the people for carrying on the Gov.
elnment-considering the war, which has been
forced upon lis by the ambitious demagOpues
OF the South, as Il question of national life or
death-that to have the doctrine of secession
established at the mouth of the rebel cannon is
n eI.r,,f
eternal border war, and to lay its dishonored
fragments at the feet of foreign powers-I can
not but think it unpatriOtic to attempt for the
sake OF a party triumph, to make political cap
ltal out OF the difficulties, or, if you please,
The errors, uaavOidably incident to the conduct
Ofa war OF such gigantic dimensions
1t is pretty safe test, in cases of this kind.
to ask how the views and measures of a party
are regarded by the common enemy Apply
ing this test in the present Case nothing is
/ more certain than that the triumph, at the APP
proacning election, of any party organized and
operating Tor the prOstratOn of the Admins
tratlon, would be regarded with unmingled
satisfaction by the leaders of the rebellion and
their sympathyzers abroad. Indeed their last
hope is in our divisions


Candor requires me to add, that, if it is the
duty OF good citizens to abstain from factious
opposltlon, 1t Is, in time of war, not less the
duty OF an Administration, as well in civil as
military and naval affairs, to assume position
wholly independent of party. Lam afraid it is
impossible in time of peace to carry Oh repre-
sentative government except on party basis.


During the existence Of war; especially ola
war which taxes to the utmo t., the energies
and resources OF the country, party support, in
proportion as it is relied upon, is an element
not of strength but of weakness.


fall good men and good patriots in the
loyal States, whether in office or out of Office
sacrificing when necessary, a little pride of per-





cordially unite for the attanments of the OBJ
jects which they all approve viz: The vigor.
GUS prosecution and successful termination of
the war, the next New Years day would wit
ness the prOstration of the rebellion and its
leaders the return of peace and the restora.
ton of the Union.


With the best wishes that the meeting at
Sprinfcld may promote these ends, remain
dear sir, very respectfully.


Your friend and fellow citizen,