Charles

A. Feb 18/61

 

New Haven Feb13th 1861

 

Dear Father:

                        Your last was received in due time, and I should have answered it sooner, but we are hard pressed just now by studies. I believe it is generally conceded that the lessons are harder than they have been since we entered college. At all events they are hard enough. I think I am doing decently well. Frank's arrangement with the Independent folks hasn't taken effect yet, for I have no paper later than week before last, and that was directed in your writing. As I have no box, the P.master puts the papers that come directed to me off by themselves, and perhaps there may be some / for me yet. I had a letter of a congratulatory nature from Frank the other day. Also a call from Coz. W^m of the same nature. I was right glad to hear from Mother a few days since and will answer soon. You must be quite lonely without Sarah. I suppose Theo. has returned. Nothing can exceed the changes of the weather here. To day we have the most delightful summer sunshine. Three days ago it was as cold as we are led to suppose it is in Greenland. Before that the weather was mild & pleasant. Last week the mercury fell 32^o in one night.

 

Should this variety continue it must produce a gooddeal of sickness. I am reading with a gooddeal of interest the speeches which Pres. Lincoln is making from place to place on his way to the chair (to all intents for the last year unoccupied) which awaits him in Washington. It / is most true that, as he said at the Depot in Springfield, "A duty devolves upon him which is, perhaps, greater than that which has devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington". So far he seems to take about the right view of things, and as he feels & acknowledges his reliance on divine Providence for direction & strength, I can not doubt that all will be well. I am not in favor of peaceable secession. The fact alone that the Abolitionists of the North & the Fire-Eaters of the South unitedly desire this, settles that. Nor am I in favor of coercion as the term is generally understood. It would seem to be better if the Government, ignoring all ordinances of secession parsed by the Gulf States, should quietly, or, if need be, forcibly, continue to collect its revenues, take possession & hold possession of its forts, arsenals & custom houses, and in short perform / all its lawful functions, just as if a half dozen states were not crying out, "We're mad, and won't play, unless you will let us do just as we please". If that is coercion, I am in for it. For in doing all I have indicated the Government would do nothing but what is purely of a defensive character. Compromise & concession are all bosh. If the rebels have kicked out of the traces for the sake of being paid to come back, it will establish a bad precedent to gratify them. If they have seceded for any other reason, it will do no good to compromise & concede. Excuse this lengthy expose of my ideas on the crisis. I have been full for some time, & feel easier already for this vent. I was very much grieved to hear of Mr. Rockwell's death. It is a sad blow to his family. I am tolerably well. Will write more promptly hereafter. Much love to Mother, Mary & yourself from your aff son

Charles J. Arms

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