Washington Feby 24 1861
My dear wife
Although I have about finished a large table full of letters, I must not close writing till I give you a few broken sentences. Before this reaches you, you will hear of Mr. Lincolns arrival at this place, and that he came through by a night train without complying with his programme so unfortunately prolonged and so foolishly performed.1 I regret the whole matter. First that he made the array of a programme Second that he made light of grave questions, and finally that he did not carry out the programme at all hasards. But I make no open fuss about matters comparatively trifling and hope his inaugeration and policy may justify all our hopes. But there should not have been the least display of alarm. Courage and prudence are the utmost importance at this crisis of our affairs, and although his coming was no doubt a prudential arrangement made by others, yet it will be reflected on him and will be charged to timidity.
I have not called as yet to see him. I hear he looks care worn and weary, and I do not wish to annoy him. Certainly his position is not to be envied. The democracy may rejoice in leaving him a barren scepter. The great republic that has been the pride and glory of the world is I fear a broken vase which will defy the potters skill to restore.
But I will not despair. Some time may be given to things which will restore peace and harmony.
The breach has grown too wide and too deep to be remedied by threats or denunciations. Settlement or civil war is now the dilemma. I see you and other friends so remote still mistake the matter as a new Slavery question, and overlook the greater evil which is here more appararent because it seems to sap the foundation of Civil Society and threaten the peace of every fireside in the country. Liberty must subscribe to law or anarchy follows and despotism after. Many are now beginning to long for a stronger government. If the republicans break up and democracy resume the ascendance, the danger is they will supply anarchy with a powerful military government. Even if republicans hold power they must materially increase their military strength. A firm but very prudent policy may conquer revolution: but every step we take is so persistently misconstrued and used to aid the Southern excitement; it is still hard to tell what a day or an hour may bring forth. Virginia hangs on a pivot. Her Convention might turn the scale either way. She has checked the progress of revolution but holds the shafts in her hand ready to let them loose if the peace Convention does not relieve the terror of her people. Maryland stands ready to follow Virginia in whatever may be her determination. In the mean time the masses are thrown out of employment. They are restive and revengeful: and unfortunately in all this region their misfortunes are charged on republican rule; although republicans are not yet in power. The inaugeration is likely to be a gloomy pageant. There will be apprehensions although I think there will be no danger. But the anxiety will be apparent, and the display will therefore appear gloomy.
During the past week I have been going to and fro between Congress and the Peace Convention, at the same time laboring to keep up my everlasting correspondence. The city is becoming crowded with strangers among them many from Iowa including Mr Graham Hawkins Taylor and Mr. Kasson all of whom you know.2 Sadie is very well and is expecting Mr Bridgeman3 with Clara and his sister tomorrow to spend a few days. We have got rooms adjoining for them and therefore they will be very near us.
I received letters from Sam and Henry both today. Sam is at Denver or was when he wrote on the 2nd and Henry is at home from whence no doubt he will write you very fully. Sam wants the Post Office at Denver and I am going to try hard to get it for him. The delegate4 goes for him and says he has a right to it being quite as prominent and efficient as any other public man connected with the public service out there.
Goodril is excited about the Post office or some other office and you must try to cool him down. It would not do to get him the Post Office in the face of so many prominent political aspirants and I am surprised that he should have dreamed of it. James too wants office. He is better known among political circles but I am so overshadowed and overloaded with applications I can form no idea of what I may be able to do. I will do the best I can for both of them of course consistant with justice and reason.
You better not show them this letter, but quietly cool their arder as much as you can: for they must be disappointed in the scramble that surrounds the avenues of power.
It is about 8 oclock P M and I have not been out doors today. Kiss little Caddie for me. This is the last week of this Congress during which I have a vast amount to do. After the adjournment I hope to have a little more time to consider matters about which my constituents are anxiously looking and I shall therefore stay long enough to fix up my papers and see the lay of the field for office
Affectionately yours
Saml. R. Curtis
1. Abraham Lincoln’s progress towards Washington, an 11 day trip, took him through the major cities of the north. On Feb. 22, at Philadelphia, he was persuaded to forgo the stop at Baltimore upon representations of a plot to assassinate him there. In consequence he boarded a special train and slipped into Washington by night, arriving at 6 A. M. February 23. The reaction of Curtis was a feeling possessed by many, although definitely difficulties would have been encountered in Baltimore. Cf. Sandburg, Abraham Lincoln, the War Years, I.
2. Hawkins Taylor, resident in Iowa since 1836, prominent in county politics, was an early Republican supporter of Abraham Lincoln. He succeeded Curtis as Mayor of Keokuk in 1857. His appointment as Special Mail Agent was made shortly after March, 1861.
John A. Kasson, able lawyer, suave diplomat, efficient administrator, with Taylor was a member of the Iowa delegation at Chicago in 1860. His reward was the appointment as First Assistant Post Master General in 1861. Aside from three periods as representative in Congress, Kasson gave distinguished service to the nation as ambassador abroad and in the administrative negotiation of numerous special treaties and at numerous international conferences in the post Civil War years.
3. Arthur Bridgeman, an Iowa settler since 1838, merchant, Register of the U. S. Land Office at Fairfield, and railroad promoter, by common courtesy called “General.” A native of Massachusetts, he was since 1849 a resident of Keokuk.
4. Hiram P. Bennett. The territory was not granted a delegate officially until February 28, 1861.