Mr. Dayton to Mr. Seward
Sir: Your despatches from No. 370 to No. 375, both inclusive, are duly received.
The last-named despatch contains a copy of yours to Mr. Adams, No. 657, (being a resumé of the military condition of things in the United States,) for which I am much obliged.
Neither of the other despatches contemplates a reply. The cheering news which has come in upon us within the last fortnight has, of course, much changed the current of public feeling abroad. Now the hopes of the European enemies of our institutions are centred in the spirit of mob-violence, which, it is assumed, pervades our whole country, rendering it impossible, as supposed, to carry out the conscription. I trust, most sincerely, that there has not been the least truckling to, or compromise with, this new element of secession. It would be more dangerous, in its ultimate effects on our institutions, than the spirit which has fomented secession per se. It is the sore point, or what has been considered by the political philosophers of the Old World as the weak [Page 759] place in our institutions. Let what will happen, the spirit of mob-violence must be put down at all hazards. * * * * God grant that we may not fail in this emergency!
I am, sir, your obedient servant.
Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State, &c., &c.