Valley Personal Papers


Return to Browse | Return to Search

Bibliographic Information | Original Version

Franklin County: Alexander K. McClure to Edward McPherson, December 14, 1860.

Summary:
McClure's letter to McPherson expresses his fears about the impossibility of compromise between the northern and southern states. McClure also urges that Simon Cameron not be given a position in Lincoln's cabinet.


December 14th

Chambersburg

Dear Sir

Yours from of the 10th was duly received & read with pleasure

However impractical may be the Southern leader at Washington & in the discontented States, it is manifest that the righteous, [illeg.] & temperate position of the Republicans generally in telling upon the Southern people.

I do not see myself how the matter is to be compromised. The difficulty may be adjusted & the adjustment termed a compromise; but it must in fact be a surrender on one side or the other. How

[page 2]
is the right to hold slaves in [illeg.] to be [unclear: compromised]? How is a Slave [unclear: Cide] to be [unclear: compromised]? The North can never consent to the universal dominion of Slavery in this nation and nothing less will satisfy the South; and indeed nothing less will ensure the perpetuation of Slavery. The restoration of the Missouri Compromise line & its extension to the Pacific, would grate very harshly upon the connections of the Northern people. It would be no concession to the North, for it would make no territory free that could by any possibility be slave; while it would inevitably force Slavery into Southern California, New Mexico, & would be followed by the annexation

[page 3]
of [unclear: Baha] & the absorption of another slice of Mexico. Rest assured that if the North concedes its present forces, the South will ever here after have the preponderance in the Senate & practically the supreme [unclear: pres] of the government. Our present victory would be fruitless save to disgrace us as a party in one our establishment & in the eyes of the civilized world.

What is to be done I can scarcely suggest. I know what should be done. The North should enforce the laws at home and also enforce the supremacy of the laws with all insurgent States; but as a party we are divided, & I am not hopeful of a happy & creditable solution of the difficulty.

Our people we are firm but moderate oh, then [illeg.]. They are [deleted: ] to please to the utmost short abandoning vital principles.

I see that a paper is circulating among the Pennsylvania Members [unclear: enjoy] Cameron for a Cabinet appointment. I trust our delegation will not add to the already dangerous force of that man. He can't go into the Cabinet. For the rebellion will be terrible wherever it seems to be possible, & the party would not survive his rule a single year.

Will you be home during the holidays? If so perhaps we may meet at Harrisburg about New Year. Write me often

Very Truly Yours

AK McClure

Hon E McPherson



Return to Full Valley Archive