Pierce, Franklin (1804-1869) to unknown
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03661 Author/Creator: Pierce, Franklin (1804-1869) Place Written: Concord, New Hampshire Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 October 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 21 x 13 cm. Order a Copy
Writes concerning his opinion that fighting cannot restore the Union. Comments, "Good & patriotic men have not yet reached your stand point & mine, that no faith can be reposed 'in arms for the restoration of either peace or of the States to the Unity of other days.'" States that he cannot respond to the recipient's suggestions in writing and must see him in person to do this. Notes the rising opposition to the Civil War in the North, "The woe & wailing & hopelessness which arms have brought, are telling upon the public mind at the North, as no argument could."
During the Civil War, Pierce's opposition to President Abraham Lincoln's war measures made him extremely unpopular in the North.
Concord
Oct 24. 1862
My dear Sir
Your note of the 14th inst in reply to mine of the 3rd has afforded me great satisfaction. Light is dawning. It rather amazes me to see the change which public sentiment has undergone, even in New England, since our brief conversation in the cars - We both, I remember, thought that the hour was coming, but, I, at least, did not believe it to be so near, as now I hope it really [2] is, with its benign influence & healing power. Good & patriotic men have not yet reached your stand point & mine, that no faith can be reposed "in arms, for the restoration of either peace or of the States to the Unity of other days."
Your suggestions which have reference to myself I cannot reply to in a note. I appreciate their force, but before you can understand the obstacles, you must know what I have already done. This would require an interview. Let me say now, that the work in which you are [struck: now] engaged has probably been more [3] broadly felt than you are aware of, I doubt if any one if your articles, forcible as they have been, has been calculated to impress the public mind, at this precise juncture, as much as that of this morning under the caption - "War & Peace"
I respond to every sentiment it utters. The woe & wailing & hopelessness which arms have brought, are telling upon the public mind at the North, as no argument could. What could have been more timely at this moment than the pamphlets of Judge Curtis on "Executive Power." It comes [4] from the right quarter and is put with irresistable power. If you are to be at Boston within a fortnight write me two or three days before hand at this place -
yr friend
Franklin Pierce
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