Year: 1866

and fidelity to promote union, harmony,
prosperity and happiness among these
States and people, but has met with re-
sistance, Misrepresentation and calumny,
where he had a right to expect co-opera-
ton and friendly support. That the
great body of our countrymen are ear
nestly and cordially with him in his eff
forts to promote the national welfare /
have never doubted, notwithstanding
the hostility of malevolent partisans,
stimulated by perverted party organiza-
tions and / rejoice that convention,
which shall represent all the Union men
of our whole country, has been called to
sustain him. r st -H ar'1 'H rg


Very respectfully, n15. a


&+-aE.. ...a GIDEON WELLEs.


.t ..rF Chicago, July 18th, 1866.


Attorney General Speed writes: -


Washington, July 14th, 1866.


SIR Il have the honor to acknowl-
edge your note of the 10th inst, with
printed copy of the call for National
Union Convention, to be held at Phila-
delphia on the 14th of August next.


You request that In case the call and
the principles enunciated in it meet my
approval, that l reply at my earliest con-
venience. This language would seem
to imply that no answer is desired, if |
do not approve of the call and the prin-
ciples avowed in tin other words,
that failure to reply may be interpret
ed as disapproval not only of the call
but of each and all the principles an
nounced. This is position in which
am unwilling to be placed. While ap-
prove of many of the principles set forth
in the call, and yet do not approve of
the call, will briefly state my reasons ::


First-Premising that do not recog-
nize the very respectable gentlemen who
have made this call as the recognized
organs of the great Union party of this
country. Since the outbreak of the ter
rife struggle from which the country has
just emerged, we have had national
Union party that has exhibited more de-
votion, made greater sacrifice and mani
tested more unselfish patriotism than
any party ever did previously in the
history of the world. That partyis still
in being with its organization intact and
it's object known, and that party, by
its faith, its doctrine and its acts, has, in
face of the population of half of the
New World and the Old World, saved
the Government and the republican in
stitutions of our common country from
Generalization and indeed from ruin, by
the theory of the eternal, indissoluble
union of the States, through which only
can the partial theory of State rights
ever be maintained OF carried out. 1t
would appear to me to bs'still the duty,
or at any rate the most effectual method
as far as a party can be concerned, of
finally adjusting all remaining unsettled
matters of reconstruction, conscientious
mentioned. This party is the same to-
day as it was in the days of it's trial
the same party now as when but a few
months ago it elected Lincoln and John
son and majority of the present Con-
gress, and as l acted with it then for a
paramount reason my sense of duty de-
mands that | remain and act with it now.
The pith and marrow of the present call,
should say, tends TO raise a party for
not sustaining the Government in it's en-
tirety, as has been the mission of the
Union party, but department of the
Government. And here must take the
liberty of saying that can hardly con-
ceive of sadder spectacle, under the
crisis of the present circumstances, than
that of the tried Union party of this
country becoming dislocated and broken
up by divisions, or that of one branch Of
the Government taking an isolated posi-
tion upon questions of deep and common
interest, placing itself in hostile conflict
with coordinate departments.


For these and other reasons which
might be mentioned, cannot join in a
call for Convention at Philadelphia


| have stated that some of the princi
pies in the call are in my view unobjec
tionable. l will not stop to criticize
those which are Objectionable, but con
tent myself with stating that the cal
fails to take notice of one of the great
issues now before the people l allude
to the question, whether the several
States shall ratify or reject the last
amendment proposed by Congress to the
Constitution of the United States. Thi,
is the grave and all important question
The issue upon it cannot be avoided. L
should be placed early and equally be
fore the people. The. failure to take
ground on so important question mus
be attributed either to desire to avoit
| the issue or as declaration of belief
Being entirely and decidedly in favor o
the adoption of the amendment by tn,
states. cannot go with an organiZa
tion that would either openly oppos'
that measure or that would smother i
by avoiding its discussion. r,-.a


must also add that no man is NOR
desirous than to see the entire reslora
ton of the American Union, with it
practical workings in more perfect haI
mony and concord than ever, and th


surety, as far as mortal affairs can b.
made sure of the endless perpetuity il


the future. The blessings to follow from
such Union are countless, inestimable
Such an Uuion, consistent with itselt
maintained by universal consent of al
classes and sections, ,and laughing to scor


both assaults of foes internal and extel
d nal, and ravages Of the times. Change


will only be obtained or compromise


with the supreme and general idea c


the American and fundamental law, tn


Constitution. That general idea consist


in behalf of the political liberty and equa


ity of mankind under the law. Such an


such only can be the reunion. The nj


tionality that will put in form the mas


nificent and lofty dreams of the Amer