Franklin County: L. Barnitz Bacon to Edward
McPherson, December 19, 1860
Summary:
Bacon writes to McPherson about his views of the secession crisis, stating that
he would much rather settle the matter through compromise than bloodshed. Bacon
also discusses possible cabinet appointments and is view that Pennsylvania
deserves to be represented in the administration.
December 19 - 1860
1113 Broadway, New York,
Honorable Edward McPherson,
Sir,
I have received your letter of December 8, & the General Report of the Alumni, for which I thank you. Upon reading your first letter, I conceived it to refer to something in the future, relative to which you wished to obtain my subject of address. You will remember that I knew of no action taken by the Alumni, as to the past, such as is set forth in your Report, I therefore viewed the tenor of your first letter from a stand point different from your's, who were fully posted.
My address before the Alumni occurred in the Autumn of 1851, & the subject was "Physical Education."
I perceive that the duties of the Committee, of which you are Chairman, include a
report of the pursuits, positions & publications of the Graduates. I
have never received the Circular referred to, intended to obtain the information
for such a report. Without wishing to volunteer such information, I may say to
you, that my card will inform you of my position & pursuits. I have been
employed as an Engineer for nearly a quarter of a century, with the exception of
some years when my wife's health demanded a permanent residence,
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during which I was engaged in teaching. In 1837-8, it was my fortune to
advance the surveys & construction of the first railroad west of the Ohio River, through a new country, now covered
with Railways.
During the twenty years of my residence in and about New York, I have also been more or less connected with the press, at first as the employment of leisure hours; lately as a source of [unclear: involvement]. I send you a late article of mine on the "[unclear: Dead] of St. Paul's"; and also the latest list of contributors to Appleton's Cyclopedia, cited by Ripley & Dana of the Tribune, in which you will find my name.
For the rest, a man who has been engaged in a long battle against secret malevolence, powerful injustice, & unscrupulous Knavery, does not wish to report progress, until his victory is achieved. To that time, God's own good time, I look forward.
And now, Sir, permit me to add a word to you, as the representative of a region & a people, dear to my early memories.
I am not now, nor have I been for some years, affiliated with any political party. I always vote, sometimes for republicans, sometimes for democrats. I therefore have no party nor sectional predilections.
But I pray Heaven that some means may yet be suggested to our legislators, to
preserve the Union of our Federation. Let us have harmony, even if it be by
concession. But if that cannot be,
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let us at least part in peace.
My oldest son is an Officer in the Navy. My youngest is with my sister-in-law in the South. It may be no remote contingency which may compel them to be in arms against each other. Thousands here are now agitated by the same anxiety.
My sons are dear to me. My father was dear to me. He sacrificed his life for the amelioration of the colored race. I would not have my sons also sacrificed in an unnecessary & fratricidal war.
Our homes here, your home in Pennsylvania, are surrounded by hidden dangers, which would desolate them in such a war. I know well, the dark hand, reaching from over the sea, & moving its agents both in the North & South. If we must fight, let us rather unite as our fathers did, and beat back our enemy of old.
To turn to a more hopeful theme, I perceive that both James Cooper &
Thaddeus Stevens have been named as probable Cabinet Officers of the coming
Administration. I have great faith in the patriotic character of all who have
been nurtured in that Keystone region of the Old Thirteen, around Mason
& Dixon's Line. It is a region rich in all the memories which give
strength & character to that national loyalty, upon which every
government must find its most enduring & conservative basis.
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And it is a region, which has never properly asserted its position in the past,
nor pushed forward its claims for the future. Astute & persistent New
England, & the impulsive & ardent South, have shoved it aside. I
should like to see it represented by either one or the other of those I have
named, in the new administration which is to preside over, I hope, a united,
peaceful, & prosperous Republic.
Very Respectfully Your
Obedient
Servant
L. Barnitz Bacon
