Letter from Bishop Clement Smyth

SMYTH, BAKER

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 1/16/2009 at 22:06:37

Letter from Bishop Clement Smyth to General N. B. Baker, Adjutant General of Iowa, printed in the Dubuque Weekly Times, September 19, 1861.

Dubuque, September 17, 1861

Hon. Sir and Dear Friend.

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th instant, and agree with you in saying that the cause of the Union is the cause of law, of order, and of justice. You are aware that I ever avoid all matters of a political nature, as foreign to my sacred duties, yet in this present hour of trial, when the honor and the happiness of our nation are at stake; when some prejudiced minds may construe my silence late a disrespect for you, whose friendship I highly prize, or as a criminal opposition to our National Government, the Government of the United States, the only one to which I owe fealty, it may not be departing too far from my normal confine to say that my feelings and sentiments are for the Union, and though peace is now the object of my ambition, yet I would not consent to purchase peace at the sacrifice of principle.

With deepest respect.

Yours most sincerely,

CLEMENT SMYTH

Bishop of Dubuque