x7. 50.] TO GEORGE ENGELMANN. 467 
not the heart to write you. You have seen your dream 
of peace policy fall in pieces, and Douglas coming out 
for the war. You have also seen enough to perceive 
that under the let-alone policy Missouri also would 
have seceded, under the same discipline which has 
been applied elsewhere. In which event, let alone, 
St. Louis would dwindle to a country village. 
No, the first and paramount duty of a country is to 
protect and preserve itself against destruction. The 
Constitution and government must be maintained, and 
treason put down if we are able to do it. 
If it can’t be done, then, and then only, may we 
submit to disintegration. 
Stick firm to the Union, and Missouri will come 
out well. Iam sorry for the bloodshed at St. Louis. 
Your population is hard to manage. But Harney, as 
you say, is doing well, and I expect to see your State 
soon a loyal one. Even those with secession affinities 
must soon see their own interests. It is impossible 
there should be peace, — peace is not worth having 
till the rebellion, based on a plot formed years ago, 
is put down. 
If you think me belligerent, I am nothing to Agas- 
siz. Of course we shall all suffer severely. But 
better to suffer in devotion to the Union than prosper 
in petty fragments. 
Enough of this. May God preserve and keep you, 
and let us hear from you when you can; for we take 
great interest in you, and know your position is a try- 
ing one. 
. CAMBRIDGE, August 6, 1861. 
My prar EncEetmann, — As soon as I got clear of 
college work, my wife and I started off (on the 12th 
