First, then, you deplore the deep distress that pervades our land, in anticipation of a conflict such as the civilized world never witnessed, and even the annals of barbarous history scarce re^cd; together with the inevitable consequence, that, our once (though many years ago) happy Union must be for ever dissolved.  Viewing it from our standpoint I unite my voice of lamentation with yours; for it seems truly a mournful sight to behold, spread out to the gaze of the world, the history of a nation’s folly, written in letters of blood.  But I look at the brighter side of this distorted photograph.  With the eye of faith at least I can discern the hand of Providence shifting the scenes.  This may seem strange, that a partition wall should be erected in the Temple of Liberty, once an asylum for an oppressed world.  That the “Stars and Stripes”—­the (once) badge of freedom, gracing the bosom of every sea—­should be riddled from its staff and another substituted in its stead.  Not less strange, however, did thousands of good Englishmen deem it, to behold the proud “British Lion” quail before his foe of “the wilderness,” and the “Magna Charta” rent in twain.  We must look upon it then as an exercise of God’s retributive justice for our Sins as a people, or, that He designs that He shall ultimately be the more glorified by the separation.  In the former case of course I take it that the North will receive the awful visitation, for although offences must needs come, yet, woe be unto him through whom they come!  In the latter condition the South is destined to become what (& indeed far more than) the whole America once was to the world.  This Government was far too large to prosper well for many years; or at least comp^d to England (prosper), France and Spain, & Russia itself; but especially should we be divided into 2 great gov’s since we have virtually been so, as to our domestic institutions, and many of our social customs, for many, many years.  It is true we did exist many years also in commercial and social prosperity, & might have continued to maintain such a happy condition had not the “green-eyed monster, jealousy, reared his horrid front.”  Yes, it was in great part jealousy.  You yourself have admitted (& rightly) that our great Ancestors were wiser than we.  Well when they formed the Original Confed^y they were the Rep’s[3] of Slave States, with one exception.  They did not deem it wrong in itself, or they would have abolished it—­at least would not have made the “Fugitive S. Law” for its protection.  After a while, however, it did not pay to keep Slavery in Northern climates, & it was abolished instanter.  Why then was it that it became such a monstrous crime in their eyes?  Wherein was the consistency?  Partisans became jealous of the wealth & power of Southern planters & South^n politicians, elevated to their power through their wealth—­a thing unavoidable