23 Centre Street, N. Y., December 19,
1860.
Dr. Hodge:
My Dear Brother,
— Your article on the “State of the Country” did not reach me until yesterday.
I have read it and re-read it, and I do not regard it as a “fire-brand,” as Dr.
Boardman does. If it contains some things that would irritate the Southern
people, it also contains much to soothe and command their respect. Dr.
Thornwell, I understand, is preparing an article on the same subject, and I
would not, if I could, abridge your liberty. [Then follow many pages.] But I
will not pursue this subject further. Perhaps I have already said a great deal
more than you bargained for, or are ready to read. I desire and pray most
earnestly for the preservation of the whole Union. If the North will concede
what is just, and what the South imperatively needs, the Union may be saved.
Otherwise, we go to pieces. There are certain things in your article which the
North ought to hear, and there are others which the South ought to hear. But
whether upon the whole it will do more good or harm, I am not prepared to say.
One thing I know, if my heart and your arm were united, and we could carry out
our desires, the North would soon be compelled to relinquish some of her
unjustifiable positions. As it is, my only hope is in God, and I love to lay
the matter before him.
Yours as ever, truly
and affectionately,
J. Leighton Wilson.
SOURCE: Hampden C. DuBose, Memoirs of Rev. John Leighton Wilson, D.D., p. 243-4
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