Carey, John (1792-1875) to J. C. Worth
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08478 Author/Creator: Carey, John (1792-1875) Place Written: Carey, Ohio Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 May 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25.5 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Discussing the Civil War, Ohio Representative Carey states "We know not (& you only know) what moment the conflict of arms will commence But whenever the time arrives & soon it must- The conflict will be dredful ... But sir I would not yield one vital principal of the government, to save us from all the horror that I have hinted at." Discusses the possible effects of war and strategies for defeating the South.
Carey served as a United States Representative from Ohio 1859-1860.
Carey May the 13th 1861
J.C. Castle Esqr
Dear Sir
Yours of the ninth was not received; until, last evening - I have no use for a carriage, at this time, I have a Buggy, good enough, for these times, - When a Still of mourning may be more appropiate, these a Still of thrift, as compact - The remarks have not been made from any undue, Solemnity, of my own feelings, but to due since of propriety to our once glorious countrey - & a proper respect, for the Solemnity, that may soon surround us -
We now have in the field, or ready, to take the field of Battle, 250,000, of our fellow[struck: s] citizens - who has gon fourth from their patriotic love of country; to protect & defend it against tra[inserted: i]tors, & suppress treasure -
We know not, (& god only knows) what moment [struck: when] the conflict of arms will commence But when ever the time arrives & soon it must - The conflict will be dredful, in the destruction of life & property - such as few pages of history has ever recorded - (could I in the remotest degree [2] [illegible] as assert the harraous of the impending crisis - with honor to my country - & thee perpituation of our government, unimpaired I would make any sacrifice within my power of poperty or life, with out a murmer -
But sir I would not yield one vital principal of this Government, to save us from all the horrors that I have hinted at -
If the government, is not sustained in this, crisis we shall never again have a united, states government, on this continent - We will be thrown in to anarchy -) Where our strength - morally - politicealy, mentley - & financially, Will be wasted in anarchy & guerilla warfare - Then the despotism, that will have grown out of such a state of things, will raise up, same dispotic chief - with his aiders & abaters - will substitute the sword for constitutional law -
Now who that has had the, inculcution of our government impressed on his mind that would for a moment [inserted: refuse] to lay down his life to preserve such a government as ours -
If there is one he is not a true patriot, or he does not know how to appreciate the value of our Government
I have in some degree shown you the dark [3] side of the picture - I will now give the the other side of the picture, as I suit - If we are true to our selves in the free states we can modify the picture, by a desided & inergetic[struck: e][inserted: -] course, of the administration - I da[illegible] ask them to strike a single blow offencivly - untill they have perfected, their millitary plan of operations - and when they strike - let, it be the the first link in the chain of their plan, Then with out hesitation go to work, & put down all the elements of discord in Desginud & Mersland, that [struck: once] done forty ty every strong position, then Moore doumon Kantucky, Tennessee & Missouri - with an army that will a[illegible] the secessionist & give aid & comfort to the union men - that accomplished, you have free access to all the free states, uncontoled possessions of the Ohio & the Missouri Rivers - which gives the government, the entire controll of all the thin[rawfares] - for communication with the union states, which is of the most important [character] to accomplish the suspression of treason & the putting down thailors - you have then most affectually cut them off from the supplys of the north & trust - then with the sed cost Blackadill, you may bring them to their true conditions - in their own estimatiast - This work ought to be accomplished with in four months after the commencement - which may commune with tenn days -
You will excuse the errors in this communication for when I set down to answer your letter I have not the least idea of saying any on the subjects of the troubles our country [struck: I] you will think that you have got a very strong answer to your letter - my very best Rspcts to your wife & daugh
Accept my dear Rspcts
John Carey
J. C. Castle Esqr
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