What means Stanley1 in N. C.? Don't they know whom
they send? Do they wish to drive our N. E. troops out of the field and
disgust mankind? The most “hunker” officers we have ever sent, cry out, in
their private correspondence, that the army is so managed in its relations to
Southern men that a positive bribe is held out to whites and blacks both to be
disloyal. Even guards are furnished for rebels' property not vouchsafed to men
of known loyalty. This in McClellan's Department.
My letter to Mr. Stanton was within the truth. Our militia,
startled by the most startling summons I issued at midnight, based on the
telegram of the Sec. of War, supposing the very capitol in danger, rushed to
Boston. But all were unwilling, and but a handful consented, to go for the full
Militia period. It was not so a year since. No one was reluctant. No one
stipulated for short terms. Twenty regiments eagerly pressed for leave to go
for any term however indefinite. Now, a battery Co. whose enlistment began a
week yesterday has not 85 men. And they are only enlisting for Six Months. The
War looks to be of indefinite length. . . .
Perhaps all men do not reason out a conclusion by
careful logic or minute observation, but the instinctive sagacity and
practical sense of our people is an element we may always be sure exists.
Most public men despise the people, think they are foolish and knowing their
own personal limitations, believe the people not to be honest.
But Yankees are pretty knowing; they are by instinct
sagacious; they have sense of the hardest sort; and they are by disposition
honest and manly.
In the long run he will always dupe himself who doubts the
people. An honest and brave man who looks into his own heart will find public
opinion just there. He need not look at the clouds nor the church steeples,
watching the wind for evidence.2
_______________
1 Edward Stanly, a conservative, appointed May 19
military governor of North Carolina.
2 June 4, 1862.
SOURCE: Henry Greenleaf Pearson, The Life of John A.
Andrew: Governor of Massachusetts, 1861-1865, Volume 2, p. 22-3
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