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.
Dec 14th
Chambersburg
D Sir
Yours from of the 10th was duly recd. & read with pleasure
However impracticable 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
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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 Penna 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
