Wise, Henry A. (Henry Alexander) (1806-1876) to Charles D. Meigs
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05854 Author/Creator: Wise, Henry A. (Henry Alexander) (1806-1876) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 December 1859 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.5 x 19.8 cm. Order a Copy
Governor Wise responds to a letter from Meigs, a professor of obstetrics and diseases of women at the Jefferson Medical College (in Philadelphia). Arguing for unity between North and South, writes, "I eagerly grasp your hand, as Thomas Jefferson did Benjamin Franklin's at Carpenter's Hall on the 4th of July 1776." Claims Northerners "meddle with what is not their business." Writes, "I am a Union man- have been so ever. Mean to be so, forever. But if my honor is pricked in any Union I will burst its bonds... I mean to fight for the Union- never against it- but fight I will if it is further assailed by Fanaticism and wicked folly." Assures Meigs that nothing will come between their friendship.
Wise was a U.S. Representative from Virginia 1833-1844 and Governor of Virginia 1856-1860.
Richmond Va
Decr. 18th 1859.
My dear friend.
Dont think that I neglected your most grateful letter. I now have barely time to snatch a moment to assure you that I was too much touched by such an appeal, coming from you, not to appreciate all its moral force and force of feeling. - Why should the North & the South be enemies? - Ay, why should they? - They should not be. As three Millions are to twenty five millions of people, so are the reasons in 1859 more than they were in 1776 for Union & Amity. Union without amity is a hollow Union. I eagerly grasp your hand, as Thomas Jefferson did Benjamin Franklin.s at Carpenter.s Hall on the 4th July 1776. Why cant we all - why cant all our neighbors grasp in one cordial circle of affection & [2] strength, instead of feeling the ties of Union as bonds and dissolving Union into the utter weakness of discord & Civil War? - Did'nt the Fathers let Slavery alone? Have we to do else but follow their example? - Can we longer be derided & hissed & laught against & fought against without arming? - No. Restrain the Teachers & Preachers & Presses & Legislatures and Judges & juries & felons who would Meddle with what is not their business. If they be the active element whilst Conservatism in passive, they will always be most powerful in Congress as they are in Congress. It is therefore [inserted: that Congress] Cant & other influences wont have us. And if they be allowed to seem to wield the mass power in the North [inserted in margin: I had to "wait for the flag," It is unfurled in our capital.]
[3] and to assail us & our intent and honor, they will sow Dragon.s teeth form which armed evils must rise.- What then must be done? - I will tell you frankly what I have tried to do. -
1st To opine & inspire our own people & make them resent insult & prepare to redress wrong to them & theirs: -
2nd To admonish Conservatives in the North that the concern is theirs as well as ours to be active & up & doing to prevent the crop of Dragons teeth from being sown.
3rd Whilst the pressure of the flood is too great for the dam of Southern feeling to bear, to open a Waste gate.
I am a Union man - have been so ever. Mean to be so, forever. But if my honor is pricked in any Union I will burst its bonds like burning [wyckes]. I mean to fight for the Union - never against it - [4] but fight I will if it is further assailed by Fanaticism and wicked folly. - Blood-letting assuages fever in the human frame, so it [struck: in] does a national fever. It may be that our political, like the moral world, needs the purification of "Fire & Blood." If God [forefends] the scourges! - but if so it must be, let them come, be applied, and let us be purified!-
Come what may - what will, I will still cling to the hearts & hands of every patriot North & South, and I am ready to march to the side of a friend of the Constitution & Union wherever he may be, North or South - And nothing shall separate me from friends like you. I have sent the message of Philadelphians to our Genl. Assembly & have responded to your fraternal greetings in person. I am dear Doctor yrs ever
Henry A. Wise
Dr. Chas. D. Meigs
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