Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A patriotic Pennsylvania citizen's letter, 10pp. 4to., written by Ira F. Gensel (eventually a Union officer who will die in action during the war), Doylestown, Penn., April 14, 1861 to a close female friend, reading, in part: "…in consequence of the news that hostilities had actually commenced at Charleston Doylestown was the scene of the wildest excitement…yesterday. When the cars arrived…such a scene was presented…hundreds rushed to the depot to get the evening papers. Civil War and its consequences is the theme upon every tongue…the future of our Country is too gloomy to contemplate. Words are inadequate to describe the horrors that hover over us as a Nation. The slave protagonists have pushed their extensive views to that point from which there is no retreat…our glorious Republic has passed its zenith and is now hastening to the doom common to Republics…unfortunately for us we have no one now who can speak peace to the troubled waters and cause the mad and wild waves…to subside. As Americans we could once boast of a Washington, a Jackson, a Clay and a Webster, but they have no representatives this day…words of the great and immortal Washington are laughed at by the wild, reckless mob…and the language of Jackson and Clay is looked at by those who once have the name of being respectable. Oh! that we could have a Jackson during this crisis…it was thought the blow would be arrested and the Union of these states would be perpetuated…South Carolina has precipitated hostilities…and the only course for Lincoln to pursue is to act decidedly, promptly and energetically. The period has now arrived when each citizen will be constrained to choose for his own section…my place in life and eat is with my own loved Pennsylvania. I love her laws. I love her institutions. I love her people…This! This is the land of Liberty…Ira F. Gensel." The original dual stamped transmittal cover is included. Light soiling, else VG
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