I do not attempt to refute the very strong position in your
letter concerning the views and the moral responsibility of the President. I
cannot see the case as he sees it. But, still I do not denounce a man who is
sincere, is looking in the right direction, as I hope, who may yet get to the
right place; and who being the responsible and lawful head can decide
what I cannot; and to support whom seems to present great opportunities for
good, while to oppose whom would seem to threaten dangerous, if not fatal discords,
and for the time being, ruin to the hopes of Liberty. I “hope all things,” and
try to “believe all things.” You are stern and inflexible. I reverence the
spirit so immovable. But, I hesitate to believe that you are wholly correct in
not allowing something more for differences of mental constitution, which must
always be taken into our account, and which being allowed for, do for the moral
world what friction does in the world of matter. There is one Truth, but
many possible roads to it. And minds as well as legs have their limitations.
SOURCE: Henry Greenleaf Pearson, The Life of John A.
Andrew: Governor of Massachusetts, 1861-1865, Volume 2, p. 26
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