One of the most pleasing scenes that can transpire on earth, is, when a sin has been committed by one person against another, to forgive that sin: and then, according to the sublime and perfect pattern of the Savior, pray to our Father in heaven, to forgive also. Verily, verily such a friendly rebuke is like the mellow zephyr of summer’s eve: it soothes; it cheers and gladdens the heart of the humane and the savage.— Well might the wise man exclaim: “a soft answer turneth away wrath:” for men of sense, judgment, and observation, in all the various periods of time, have been witnesses, figuratively speaking, that water not wood, checks the rage of fire.

Jesus said, “blessed are the peace makers, for they shall be called the children of God;”— wherefore if the nation, a single state, community, or family ought to be greatful for any thing, it is peace. Peace, lovely child of heaven; peace, like light from the same great parent, gratifies, animates and happifies the just and the unjust, and is the very essence of happiness below, and bliss above. He that does not strive with all his powers of body and mind: with all his influence at home and abroad, and to cause others to do so too, to seek peace, and maintain it for his own benefit and convenience, and for the honor of his state, nation and country, has no claim on the clemency of man; nor should he be entitled to the friendship of woman, or the protection of government. He is the canker worm to gnaw his own vitals, and the vulture to prey upon his own body; and he is as to his own prospects and prosperity in life, a felo-de-se of his own pleasure. A community of such beings are not far from hell on earth, and should be let alone as unfit for the smiles of the free; or the praise of the brave. But the peace maker, O give ear to him! for the words of his mouth, and his doctrine, drop like the rain, and distil as the dew; they are like the gentle mist upon the herbs, and as the moderate shower upon the grass. Animation, virtue, love, contentment, philanthrophy, benevolence, compassion, humanity, and friendship, push life into bliss, and men a little below the angels, exercising their powers, privileges and knowledge, according to the order, rules and regulations of revelation, by Jesus Christ, dwell together in unity: and the sweet odour that is wafted by the breath of joy and satisfaction from their righteous communion, is like the rich perfume from the consecrated oil that was poured upon the head of Aaron; or like the lucious fragrance that rises from the fields of Arabian spices; yea more, the voice of the peace maker

So much to preface this friendly hint to the State of , for notwithstanding some of her private citizens and public officers, have committed violence, robbery, and even murder, upon the rights and persons of the ; yet, compassion dignity, and a sense of the principles of religion, among all clases; and honor and benevolence, mingled with charity by high minded patriots, lead me to suppose, that there are many worthy people in that , who will use their influence and energies to bring about a settlement of all those old difficulties; and use all consistent means, to urge the , for her honor, prosperity and good name, to restore every person, she or her citizens have expelled from her limits, to their rights, and pay them all damage! that the great body of high minded and well disposed southern and western gentlemen and ladies; the real peace makers of a western world, will go forth, good Samaritan like, and pour in the oil and the wine, till all that can be healed, are made whole; and after repentance, they shall be forgiven; for verily the scriptures say: “Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons that need no repentance.”

Knowing the fallibility of man; considering the awful responsibility of rejecting the cries of the innocent; confident in the virtue and patriotism of the noble minded western men, tenacious of their character and standing; too high to stoop to disgraceful acts, and too proud to tolerate meanness in others; yea, may I not say without boasting, that the best blood of the west, united with the honor of the illustrious fathers of freedom, will move, as the forest is moved by a mighty wind, to promote peace and friendship in every part of our wide spread, lovely country. Filled with a love almost unspeakable, and moved by a desire pleasant as the dew of heaven, I supplicate not only our Father above but also the civil, the enlightened, the intelligent, the social and the best inhabitants of ; they that feel bound by principles of honor, justice, moral greatness, and national pride, to arise in the character of virtuous freemen from the disgrace and reproach that might inadvertently blur their good names, for want of self preservation. Now is the time to brush off the monster, that, incubus like, seems hanging upon the reputation of the whole . A little exertion, and the infamy of the evil will blacken the guilty only; for is it not written, The tree is known by its fruit?” [p. 473]