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The Charles P. McIlvaine letters were written in the 18th and 19th century and therefore may contain language that we understand today as harmful or offensive. You may encounter paternalist descriptions of Native Americans, racial slurs, or sexism. For more information, see our policy page.
Description
On the southern rebellion
Date
1-26-1865
Keywords
letter, McIlvaine, Chase, Civil War
Recommended Citation
McIlvaine, Charles Pettit, "Letter to S. P. Chase" (1865). Charles Pettit McIlvaine Letters. 261.
https://digital.kenyon.edu/mcilvaine_letters/261
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Transcript
Cinc. Jan 26 / 65
My dear Friend,
Thanks for your trouble in getting + sending the Pass for Mr. B.
Is it possible, now that Amendments to the Constitution are under thought + are liked to be sent to the people, to get a few lines, some three or four or less, making an acknowledgment of God + dependence on Him? I know you feel the great want of the Constitution in that respect. It has been heavily on the Christian mind of the nation. And never was there a better time or a greater call for it than when we are taking advantage of the opportunity which only His most [signal] hand has given us to do a duty which only his marked + wonderful dealings have prepared the people for + to get, not of a curse + sin which we have deserved to suffer under even more than we have. No man of any faith in God can fail to see how He has brought about a deliverance which four years ago seemed next to impossible. But besides the sure deliverance from slavery, how manifest is His hand in saving the land, in spite of all the mistakes + competitions + party divisions of rules, legislation + people + now of war, from what once seemed so imminent, all the intended results of the Rebellion. We surely should acknowledge God now + hereafter, not only in the Church’s + the individual mind, + the President’s proclamations, but in the corner-stone law of the land. It should be written where it would say the most, + now in [point] of duty - is the [point] of time. I do not know whether it is possible. But I do know that you are the man, in point of opinion, character, stature, connections with the past of anti-slavery effort + influence, to take it into consideration + touch the springs of motion, if there be any to be touched propitiously. Think of it.
I rejoice that [Butter] is coming out straight. I see in the paper that Mr. Seward is considered [?] to be sent to St. James. Much as I admire his mind + labours in many respects, I should think it an unwise step. There is no leading man around us who would be so little acceptable to the British public. He is regarded as particularly [horrible] to Engld. + the story of the Darke of New Castle about his commendation at Geo. Morgan’s table in Allay is universally behoved. But all that by a prudent man could be surmounted. Mr. S. is far from that prudence in speech + pen which our affairs will require in London. He is just the opposite of Mr. Adams in that respect. The impression he makes in social circles when he was in Engld was not at all favourable as to manners + refinement. But all this inter[?] body not Mr [Aupinwell]? Mr Lawrence + Boston merchant did well. If Mr Chase were not in a more important place, I should say send him. May the God of all wisdom + grace be your light + strength in your present high office.
Yours very affectionately
Charles P. McIlvaine