Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 2.
Frank Moore, Ed.

To the Young Men's Christian Associations of North America:

brethren: We have determined by the help of God to address you in the character of peace-makers. In connection with the Confederacy of Christian Associations, we trust, that we have secured the confidence and love of many of your members, and we are conscious that we sincerely reciprocate their sentiments. You will then regard with some respect the statements we may make in reference to the present condition of our country. Many of those who participated with us in the Christian fellowship which was exhibited by the delegates from the various portions of our beloved country, at the annual conventions held in Troy, Charleston, Richmond, Cincinnati, and New Orleans, will doubtless be willing to unite with us in an earnest effort for the restoration of peace and good — will between the contending parties.

Through the distorting medium of the press, there is a misunderstanding between the North and the South as to their respective positions. If there could be a fair representation of the sentiments of the better portion of the people at the North and South, we would not present the melancholy spectacle of a great nation involved in a civil war, which must be productive of the most disastrous consequences to the material and spiritual interests of each section. The separation of the South from the North is irrevocable, and the sooner this great fact is acknowledged by the nations of the earth the better will it be for the interest of humanity. The conquest of either section by the other is impossible. You can have no doubt of the truth of this proposition, if you consider the teaching of all history in regard to the ability of an invaded country to repel its invaders, where the numbers are nearly equally divided, and the courage of each is unquestioned. In the present contest there is a unanimity of sentiment on the part of the South to maintain its independence and to repel invasion, which has been unexampled in the history of the world. In this community almost every person capable of bearing arms is ready to volunteer in the service of the State. Our Association, and even the ministry, is largely represented in the ranks of the army. The South has no desire to invade the soil of the North, or to take from it any of its rights. We only ask to be permitted to govern ourselves in accordance with the principles which were guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States, and which were maintained by the North and the South in the Revolutionary war. The wisest and best men of both sections have recognized those principles, and we do not now advocate a war of aggression or conquest.

As Christians, let us discountenance the misrepresentations of each other which are so frequently made, and let us labor earnestly in the cause of peace. In November last we united in a call upon the President of the United States for the appointment of a day for humiliation and prayer to Almighty God for a blessing on our country, and in answer to our prayers the fratricidal hand has thus far been withheld by a merciful Providence. Let us again unite our prayers and efforts for the restoration of peace and good will between the Northern and the Southern Confederacies.

With the sincere hope that we may be able to congratulate you at our approaching Convention in St. Louis upon this auspicious result, we remain yours fraternally,

gentlemen: Your letter of the 6th inst. has just reached me. Like every other document which comes from the South, there is in your letter a mix. ture of truth and error. For instance, you say, “Through the distorting medium of the press there is a misunderstanding between the North and the South.” Now, it is true that the press has “distorted” the truth in certain instances in the North--and entirely suppressed it in the South in every instance where it did not accord with the interest of slavery. But I cannot believe there is any longer a “misunderstanding between the North and the South.” There is but one question now, viz., Have Southrons the right to rule the Union until they lose an election, and then destroy it?

The South says “Yes;” young and old, rich and poor, educated and ignorant, religious and unconverted--North, East, and West say “No.”

The whole North recognizes the war as a holy effort to maintain good Government. The cross upholds the flag on our Churches, and in every assembly the good old Union hymns are sung amid tears and cheers of generous godly people who yet love you and pray for you, though they deny and will die before they will consent to the right of secession. The only possible way for us to consent to separation is through a National Convention. Come back to your allegiance, call such a Convention by your votes in Congress, and you can certainly go. This will be regular. But our very existence is imperilled by your hideous “secession” No Government could stand a year upon such a basis. We never can admit it. We are not ignorant of loss, and hardship, and we can learn death. But we cannot consent to [56] throw away all for which our fathers fought, nor to call our glorious Government a failure.

Indulge me in one word more. Slavery is wrong. You have determined to defend that wrong. You have counted no cost in defending it even before it was assailed, but have been willing even to destroy our Government for fear it might be. May God forgive you; your position is utterly false, and my heart bleeds that men calling themselves Christians can connect themselves with so wicked a cause, even calling it holy, and daring to compare it with that of our God-protected fathers!!

Your Christians will meet ours in battle. The Seventh regiment of New York numbers many of our members. The Twelfth and Seventy-First as well; and to-morrow the Ninth takes others, active earnest Christians. Dr. Tyng's son is second in command of a company now in Washington. My friend Mr. Abbott, corresponding secretary of the Trenton Association, is also under arms. Mr Haddock, of Troy, writes me the same.

Upon you and your “institution” must rest the responsibility of this fratricidal war, and shirk it or dissemble it how you may, God will require an account of every man who abets the treason of the South. I cannot pray for the Southern Confederacy.