John A. Gilmer, of North Carolina, recently said . . .

. . . in the Convention for revising the Constitution in that State, that Slavery had caused the war – had caused all the blood-shed and devastation, and ought to pay the expense.  Acting upon this suggestion the Convention levied a tax from $5 to $25 each upon slaves.  How very different Mr. Gilmer’s teaching from that of the Vallandinghamers.  They say the Abolitionists caused the war and ought to be hung.  Mr. Gilmer also expressed the further opinion that there will be no peace in the country until a system of emancipation is adopted and this jarring element of slavery put into liquidation.  The Vallandighammers recognized the same idea by promulgating the theory that there can be no peace in the country until the friends of slavery are restored to power.  The reason for this conflict of opinion is explained by Mr. Gilmer when he says that he was always opposed to secession from the first – is now and all along has been a staunch friend of the union.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 2