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none of my zeal in the great cause of the Union; men, abstractedly, are with me of little moment.

Sincerely yours,

D. S. DICKINSON.

MR. DICKINSON TO MRS. SALMON.

THE ORCHARD, August 31, 1864.

MY DEAR LOUISA-There is an anecdote of an aged couple, who sat up, late in their married life, to see how it "seemed when they were young;" and encouraged by this example, and desiring to bring up as much of the early sunshine in our acquaintance as I can, I venture upon this address of familiar affection. Your last beautiful letter to Lydia was read and reread by us both with great satisfaction, and we were both gratified and surprised, that, with the advance of years, and feeble health, and the ills of life which afflict us all, you should preserve so purely the real girlish hand of your school-days. We are at "home again "—not exactly from a "foreign shore" --more than we have been for years, and it is our desire and intention to devote more of the little space it may please our beneficent Father to vouchsafe us here, in domestic pursuits, than we have been permitted for years. I have declined persistently everything in the shape of office, and such is my future intention. A map-maker, a few years since, took a view of our house, but we have no copies. So many friends have desired one, that the very day we received your note, and before it came, I was engaging an artist to take it again, but we agreed to defer it until some of the leaves are fallen, so that more of it can be seen. It is all very plain and old-fashioned, but beautiful from its rural surroundings. And now this letter is written for two principal purposes: first, to tell you how much it rejoiced us to hear from you; second, that we want you to drop everything else, and come and make us a visit. You must! We invite your good husband and four daughters to come, if consistent. But we insist on your coming, and we will take good care of you and cheer you up and enjoy your society in earnest.

Your good cousin, Lydia, is feeble, but much of the time
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comfortable. My health is much better than hers, and yet her hair is as brown as in youth, and mine is as white as snow. We have seen many afflictions, but God has been merciful to us in many ways. Lydia will write soon. We all send love to you and our affectionate remembrances to all your family. Sincerely yours,

D. S. DICKINSON.

MR. DICKINSON TO GENERAL CASS.

BINGHAMTON, September 26, 1864.

MY DEAR GENERAL-The Presidential campaign is again upon us in fearful earnest, and I have no doubt you would unite with me in praying that, if possible, at such a time as this the cup might pass. But the question cannot be put aside, and must be met with all its responsibilities. I have no attachment to either of the candidates, nor any antipathies against them, to move me a hair either way; and I am so filled with disgust at the mean selfishness, the prevailing littleness, and downright knavery of political parties, that were there no question beyond those of ordinary moment, I would not cross the street to turn the scale for or against either. But I regard the present struggle as vital and essential to national honor-yes, existence. It seems that Baltimore and Chicago have framed issues for us, and Mr. Lincoin and Gen. M'Clellan are and must be the representatives, respectively, of these great antagonisms, and that as a people we must stand or fall by the result. However much Mr. Lincoln may pretend to be peace or Gen. M'Clellan to be war before election, we all know that good faith and common honesty will force the one elected to carry out, in the administration, doctrines laid down by the Convention which placed him in nomination. Should General M'Clellan be elected, all will, in my judgment, be lost. The patriotic, self-sustaining, reliant feeling of the Union men will be overthrown and crushed out; rebellion will be rampant and intoxicated with success; the worst elements that the loyal States can produce will be marked for Southern purchase, and foreign interference will come with all its hypocritical inso

lence, and, under the pretence of staying the effusion of blood, will secretly destroy us. I hope you will concur in my idea. that it is the duty of every patriot, and of none more so than Democrats of the Jackson school, to espouse warmly the Union side. And I hope you will let your voice be heard and your views known at an early day. I am sure they will exert a powerful and healthy influence upon the public mind.

I send you herewith a sketch of some remarks made by me recently, on taking the chair at a Union mass meeting, and from them you may gather my opinions somewhat in extenso. I have been kindly invited to Detroit, and, if I can find time for a brief trip, mean to accept, but it is very uncertain indeed whether I can do so.

Sincerely yours,

D. S. DICKINSON.

MR. DICKINSON TO MR. HEATH AND OTHERS, COMMITTEE.

BINGHAMTON, N. Y., October 10, 1864.

GENTLEMEN-Your kind note, inviting me to address a Union meeting at Seneca Falls at an early day, suited to my convenience, has been received, and I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in returning an answer through the press, as it enables me to communicate with numerous correspondents at a single writing.

My invitations are so numerous that I could not answer them, even briefly, were I to give my entire time to the subject, nor respond in person to one in twenty if I could speak daily. My friends, I am sure, under these circumstances, will excuse me from answering them individually.

In speaking within the last few days, in this State and in Pennsylvania, to very large crowds in the open air, during the damp, heavy weather, a cold and hoarseness have fastened upon my throat and lungs which demand a short indulgence. As soon as consistent I will enter the lists again, but at present appointments would not be prudent.

In the mean time, let me advise every doubter, if any such there be, to read the Baltimore resolutions, which manfully declare for a vigorous prosecution of the war, and the overthrow

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of rebellion by force of arms-more especially to read the famous, if not infamous Chicago platform, which asserts and proclaims not only to America, but to the malignant and meddling monarchies of Europe-not only to the loyal people, but to a people in rebellion-not only to our own brave army, covered over with scars and glory, but to the starved and ragged wretches who burn and butcher in the name of the "Confeder acy," that the war is a failure, and of course, the rebellion a success! And then read Gen. M'Clellan's " conservative war letter, accepting the Chicago nomination, upon a distinct and unanimous declaration of the Convention that the war is a failure, and closing with the assertion that he believes the sentiments of his letter to have been the sentiments of the Chicago Convention! If all will read carefully these three productions, stump speaking will be in poor request, and public gatherings will only be called to rejoice over the triumphs of truth, and laugh at the impotent and shallow efforts of political gamesters to deceive and betray an intelligent people.

Sincerely yours,

D. S. DICKINSON.

MR. CURTIS TO MR. DICKINSON.

NORTH SHORE STATEN BLAND,

MY DEAR MR. DICKINSON-Could you possibly come to the island and speak before the election? Our friends here--a gallant band among the hosts of unbelievers-want you more than any man in the country. We could not have a large meeting, but it should be most earnest and significant.

If you can come, and will name a day in the first week of November or last of October, you do not need to hear how glad we shall be, and how useful you will be.

If it is impossible, as I fear, then do not trouble yourself to reply. I shall understand from your silence anything but indifference.

Most respectfully and faithfully yours,

GEORGE WILLIAM CURTIS,

MR. DICKINSON TO THE MISSES KNAPP.

THE ORCHARD LIBRARY,

Sunday, October 16, 1864.

MY DEAR ELIZA AND MELISSA-We were all pained to hear of the death of your excellent mother. Though long expected, because of her infirm health, it is none the less startling and mournful. I have sometimes thought that the separation from those who command our solicitude and watchfulness, because of their weakness and depression, was more painful than from those in the full tide of health and hope. Her death brings up for me a long train of memories. She was a few years my senior, and when I was a rustic boy, was fully developing in early and beautiful womanhood. I remember her marriage with your father, when I was yet a boy, but had commenced to go in society. All the scenes of the little quiet party, to me then novel and brilliant, are as fixed in my mental vision now, as they were when I gazed upon them with the unclouded eye of youth, when they were passing before me.

I saw her in after years, when she was yet young, in a life chequered with sorrows, which she bore with the fortitude and patience known only to a woman and a Christian; and I thank Heaven that, though separated by distance, I was permittel to know her again, and revive a too long slumbering affection, and to see through the clouds and darkness which had gathered over her that same genial, affectionate spirit which made all who knew her love her dearly. Poor humanity is not permitted to know why the good are so afflicted here, while the undeserving are surrounded with what the world calls blessings, but we have faith that there is truth and justice in the divine economy, and that the Lord loveth whom He chasteneth, and that they will find their full measure of re ward. All those who knew and loved her will moura her loss, and to you earth will seem strange and her transit will leave a void which cannot be supplied. She will not return to us, but we shall go to her. Alas! how brief must be the space which separates those of advanced years from the fearful change; and even the young have no assurance of extension.

We all send you the assurance of our mournful sympathies,

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