Mr. Diven’s Letter

The Democrat publishes and commends Hon. Mr. Diven’s letter to our consideration. We have read it attentively, and endorse Mr. Diven’s views generally, with this exception, however: Mr. Diven is in favor of restoring the Union exactly to the condition it was before the rebellion. We regard that as an utter impossibility. He might as well attempt to restore to life the dead of have perished in the conflict. The fraternal feeling that once existed between the North and the South cannot be restored on the same basis. The South has committed a terrible wrong in the sight of God and man, and it must be punished or justice will be outraged. How it shall be punished, we pretend not to say; that is an after consideration. In the meantime, we say, with Mr. Diven: “Whenever and wherever slavery stands in the way of conquest by our armies, I would not spare it; and I care not how sorely it may be impaired by the conflict, or whether anything of it be left when the war is over.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, February 13, 1862, p. 2