Columbus, Dec. 13, [60.]
Dear Wilson,
You will not I trust think me obtrusive if I give you briefly my thoughts
concerning the duties of the hour.
Departure from the original policy of the govt.
concg. Sl'y is the cause of our frequent dangers; return to that
policy is the true remedy.
But this remedy cannot be applied by Republicans until they
come into power. Its principal elements then will be, I think, maintenance of
the union & enforcement of the laws against all opposition, by temperate
but inflexible action; adhesion to the great principle of separating the Fedl.
Govt, fr Sl’y.; & manifestation of goodwill, real, unaffected
goodwill — toward the slave States, & their people, by every concession
consistent with adhesion to principle.
Under this last head of concession may be included such
legislation as will provide compensation for escaping fugitives, if pursued,
arrested, & proved to be such by the claimant, and means of settling them
in Hayti or elsewhere, — or an amendment of the Constitution giving to the
Slave States representation for their entire population in consideration of the
abrogation of the Fugitive Surrender Clause.
But I expect the Republicans can do nothing in this way
until they become responsible, under the recent decision of the people, for the
Administration of the Govt.; and all attempts, on their part, to do
anything, under existing circumstances will, I fear, prove unfortunate.
If my humble counsel might prevail I would say, Let
Republicans simply insist that the actual Admn. do its duty in
maintaining the just authority of the Fedl. Govt. &
in enforcing the laws of the Union; let them hold the Prest. &
the Party wh. elected him to their entire responsibility; let them proclaim
their own purpose, when in power, to administer the Govt, fairly,
honestly, & Firmly, in a
spirit of true goodwill & perfect equity towards every section, every
state, & every citizen without entering into any detail in regard to
propositions to be made or measures to be adopted; and finally let them give an
earnest of their readiness & ability to do their duty by urging as promptly
as possible the consideration of the practical measures, now demanding
the action of Congress.
Among these measures the most important seem to me to be
these:
1. The admission of Kansas. Why cannot the Senate take up
& pass the bill for her admission without delay — at least before
Christmas? That wd. do much to inspire confidence in its ability to
meet the crisis.
2. The passage of the Tariff Bill. Whatever may be the
defects of Mr. Morrill's bill — I have not studied it & do not know that it
has any — it is clear that some measure must be adopted to revive the sinking
credit of the nation; and this bill will certainly contribute to that result. A
Treasury note bill without a Tariff bill is a dangerous experiment. The two
together may answer a good purpose.
3. Provision for an Early election of Congressmen in States
where no elections have yet been held; & for their election on the same day
hereafter.
Why not provide for their election this year in March, on
the day of the New Hampshire election, and in future years on the Tuesday
following the 1st Mon. of Nov. which is now the day of the Pres1. election? The
Prest. & Congress all to be elected on the same day.
4. The homestead bill. It has already passed the House. Why
not take it up & push it through the Senate?
5. Whatever laws may be necessary to enable the Prest.
to overcome forcible resistance to the execution of Existing laws. When I say
forcible I do not mean peaceful resistance through judicial action. It must be
an extremely extreme case wh. will warrant fed. interference, by force, with
the action of State tribunals, through Habeas Corpus or other process. But
whatever legislation may be necessary—and the message indicates the want of
some — Should be provided & provided at once.
There may be other measures wh. need prompt action but these
five are most prominent in my mind.
If the Repubs. in Cong, will address themselves
vigorously to this course of action and then let the country see that they have
the dispon. & abily. to meet the need & perform the duty
of the hour, they will inspire genl, confidence & prepare the
success of the incoming admn.
Weak concession will accomplish nothing, intemperate
denunciation will accomplish nothing: manful discharge of present duty, with
little talk and no delay, will accomplish much — I hope everything.
_______________
* From letter book 7, pp. 77-78. Henry Wilson 1812-1875.
United States Senator from Mass. 1855-1873; Vice-President ol the United States
1873-1875.
SOURCE: Diary and correspondence of Salmon P. Chase, Annual
Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol.
2, p. 293-5
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