4

of any of its Constitutional rights and
privileges, at least beyond the open ques-
tion of territorial expansion.

Now, of these views, I believe the first
to be the popular one, and I have no
doubt that it furnished the great motive
which motivated such a body of volunteers
in answer to the summons of Pres. Lin-
coln. The general impression is that
the very existence of our Government
depends on the forceful resistance of
Southern [underscore] aggression. [underscore closed] The attack upon
Fort Sumter is looked upon as the open-
ing act, which was to be followed by
the [sevising?] of the Capitol, and the de-
struction of the Union. If the Confederate
Congress could remove that impression,
by a distinct declaration that they only
desired to be permitted to depart in peace,
and settle all matters in controversy by
fair negotiations with the approaching Con-
gress of the U. States, it might yet stay
the imminent danger of horrible encounters,