Franklin County: Samuel G. Lane to Edward McPherson,
March 16, 1860
Summary:
Lane replies to McPherson's letter presumably informing Lane of Cameron's refusal
to advance a loan. Lane's letter also refers to several issues, including his
position as a newspaper editor and his views on the Republican party.
March 16th '60
Chambersburg
Dear Sir:
Excuse me for not acknowledging earlier the receipt of your letter, and thanking you for the prompt attention you gave to our request. The result was precisely what I expected, and I fully appreciate the feelings of the General in writing to avoid any complications of the sort. I am very glad that he did not misunderstand the motives of our application; which was as honest as if made to any one else. The boys urged me to write, or I should have declined.
They have been encouraged to hope for assistance in time to [illeg.] their bacon.
I am an editor very much against my inclinations: it is a position for which I am totally unfit, and I cannot take the time from my professional duties to inform myself upon politics. The Salary alone entices me, and this is of some consequence.
The Republican party will have a hard fight in this state. I wish we had less of the pigmentum nigrum in our complexion.
Your Speech was timely and strong, plain and logical. The party is well-pleased with its representative.
I am gratified with your flattering remarks concerning myself. Please present my compliments to Mr Cameron:
Respectfully Yours
Samuel G. Lane
Honorable Edward McPherson
[page 3]
If you have Macaulay's Essay on Slavery, will you be good enough
to send me a Copy. I was unfortunate enough to lose the Tribune containing
it, before I had time to read it.
