Boston, Jan'y 31.
My Dear Governor, — I have
just rec'd y'r
kind — too kind letter. I am overwhelmed by its kindness and don't know
what to say.
I did not intend to
"criticize." You will recollect that I said I did not come to argue;
only to ascertain if it was true that you recommended a measure which, two days
before, you very strongly disapproved.
After hearing from
you that you disapproved of sending Commissioners, we at once set to work to
organize the defeat of the measure. I do not say that y'r original approval
would; (it might) have silenced our opposition; but obtaining y'r disapproval
very much inspired us to work. Undoubtedly, I exhibited, by looks and acts
perhaps what no language at my command, could express, the pain and
mortification and humiliation I felt when I came to realize that the thing was
to be done, and you approved of it. God forbid that I should for one moment
doubt the sincerity and unselfishness of y'r devotion to our Cause; nor have I
any the less confidence in the infinite superiority of the soundness of y'r judgment
over mine; but I cannot — I cannot, escape from my own deep convictions. They
may not — probably should not govern or influence others; they must, me.
I feel that this is
the first step downwards; if we stop before we reach the bottom, it will be the
first time in the history of the triumphs of slavery.
Let me thank you
again for the great kindness of y'r letter; and believe me,
Very truly and faithfully y’rs
F. W. BIRD
SOURCE: Henry
Greenleaf Pearson, The Life of John A. Andrew: Governor of
Massachusetts, 1861-1865, Volume 1, p. 158
No comments:
Post a Comment