WASHINGTON, May 18, 1863.
GENTLEMEN,--It will not be in my power to take part in the
generous meeting to assemble at Cleveland, but I pray you to
accept my thanks for the cordial invitation with which you have
honored me.
If it were my privilege to speak on that occasion, I should urge
upon my fellow-citizens everywhere the duty of _Unity for the
sake of Freedom_, and also of _Freedom for the sake of Unity_.
The two cannot be separated. They are mutually dependent. Let
this people continue united, and Freedom must surely prevail. Let
Freedom prevail, and this people cannot cease to be united.
With such a cause, there is but one side and one duty. Whoever is
for the Unity of the Republic must be for Freedom, and whoever
is for Freedom must be for the Unity of the Republic. It is vain
to think that one can be advanced without the other. Whoever is
against one is against the other, and whoever is lukewarm for one
is lukewarm for the other. We must be fervid and strong for both.
This is not the time for doubt or hesitation. We must act at
once and constantly, so that the Republic may be saved, while
Slavery is scourged from this temple consecrated to Freedom. And
this will be done.
Believe me, Gentlemen,
Very faithfully yours,