108 LETTER OF JAMES T. BRADY. NEW-YORK, July 15th, 1862. Hon. George Opkyke: DEAR SIR. I regret that I will not be able to address my fellow-citizens at the Union Meeting called for this afternoon, being troubled with an affection of the throat, which prevents my making such an eifort as would be required to speak before a large assemblage, in the open air. I am sorry that some of our countrymen are so prone to despond or complain, because we do not triumph in every encounter with our opponents, and that the appreciation of great victories in the past, is lost in mourning over the discomfitures of the hour. It is quite likely that errors have been committed in the conduct of the present war. By whom, when, and how, will all be certainly made known hereafter. We have no time now for lamentations or complaints. The whole of our thoughts and efforts should be applied in vigorously devoting the power of the present, so as to secure prosperity in the future. We are engaged in a war with men who display a fierce resolution to overcome us by force of arms. If we do not defeat them, they will defeat us. Our course is, therefore, very plain. We should cheerfully and energetically sustain the Government in putting down the rebellion, and restoring our national authority. For this purpose more men are required. They must and will be furnished. No fear of consequences, such as might offend our political opinions, should for one moment obstruct this exhibition of loyalty. We did not invite nor begin the war. We sought to prevent a calamity so dire It is the work of ambitious and bad leaders at the South, whose defeat and disgrace will surely come. When we succeed, as we ultimately shall, then, and not before, will be the time to decide upon all the grave political questions which may arise out of the conflict now progressing, or the cause which produced it. The supremacy of our laws is indispensable to ensure a full and free discussion of those questions at the South. It is quite obvious that we must have more troops, not only to meet the present exigencies, but also to provide for those which may hereafter arise. It is well to prepare for foreign intervention, although I see little cause for apprehending such an occurrence. France is not in a condition to neglect her own affairs, and attend to ours. England has not for many years shown much eagerness to engage in hostilities with a formidable power. I am loth to believe that any large number of the English people will be found as malignant, false, or vacillating as the London Times. Jf intervention by a foreign government is ever to happen, I wish it would occur now, while our people have their military spirit aroused. Such a wicked assault upon us would call into the field every man on our soil who was capable of bearing arms. And it is not likely that if France, for the first time, appeared as our enemy, in a foul alliance with Britain, the continent would look on with entire indifference, and furnish us no aid against ancient enemies. Let us have an army under whose protection we can safely and decently announce, that while we seek no quarrel with any nation, neither will we avoid one, when to do so would, in the slightest degree, impair our strength, prosperity, or honor. For my own part, I have confidence in the intelligence, patriotism and judgment of the President and his cabinet, although in saying this I do not mean to assert that the course adopted by him or them has, in every instance, been the wisest or best for the occasion. I have confidence in General McCIellan. I know that, however foes or slanderers may assail him, he has, and will have, to sustain him in every event, the gratitude, admiration, and love of the masses. Time will confirm this statement, if there be now one reason to discredit it. I have no doubt, whatever, that we are to win the fight in which we are engaged. It may be protracted : it may involve unparalleled outlay of treasure, loss of life, and suffering. But, dreadful as these consequences are, we must encounter them all to preserve the republic, keep unsullied the honor of our flag, and prevent the coming of a time when it may truly be said that there is no such power on earth as " The United States of America/'
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