September 22, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/22/2011
Unsigned Letter, np., nd., 4pp, appears to be a draft. In part, "... I do indeed consider the conduct of the war as of the very gravest moment ... I belong to the class who hoped the war could be avoided. ... The recent laws of Congress place in the hands of the President powers which belong rather to a despot than to a Republic, but a state of war is a state of despotism ... In the event of a Proclamation, I see only an act of military expediency ... hitherto peaceful nation would end in the gradual emancipation of the slaves without being able to foretell how it would be accomplished ... I apprehend that the time has come when either Mr. Lincoln or Jeff Davis have to resort to this expedient & not only for the positive effect ... but for the moral effect both on slaves ... The main benefit I look for is the withdrawal of slaveholders from the Southern army to look after their slaves ... I am disappointed that the Democrats as well as the Republicans should allow love of party to rule over love of country ..." VG.
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