Virginia & Henrietta Fawcett Gauss - 1865-05-23

Envelope:

Mr Chs. henry Gauss
Box No 1548
New Haven
Connecticut

St. Charles March 8, 65

My dear Son
                    I suppose you will be pleased to hear, that I have finally succeeded in finishing the roof of our house, and that the workmen are busily engaged to complete the necessary repairs. It will be a far better, and I think also a prettier house, than what it was before the storm.  The expense will amount to from $2000, --$2500.  Mr Gatzweiler has some idea of buying it, but I do not think that we will agree about the terms.  I have offered it to him for $7600, as it stood immediately after the storm, which would make its present value $8650.  Yesterday he offered me $8325, and I believe he would give me $8500.  Your mother however, is so much opposed to my taking any thing below my first offer, that I have declined to accept his proposition.  I hope, that it may all be for the best.  Your mother thinks would like to keep the house during this summer, and thinks, that I may be able to get more for it next fall.  It may be so, but I fear that she is mistaken.  The same causes, which made property almost unsalable last fall, will again be in operation this summer.  Missouri will again be full of bushwhackers, outrages will be committed by both parties, until there will exist such a general feeling of insecurity, as will make the sale of real Estate almost an impossibility.  The question to be decided is not, what ought to be the value of any the property offered for sale, but whether it is better to sell it at a sacrifice and leave the state, or keep it and remain here.  I want to leave, and you mother says, that she does so too, still she does not like to make the necessary sacrifices.  The Government of Missouri is in the hands of the Radicals, the leaders of whom I believe to be bad men.  The action of our Convention has made a change impossible, for several years to come.  How I am to educate your brothers in this State, where the constitution does not permit a person to teach, unless he has previously taken one of the most absurd oaths imaginable, I do not see, -- and finally after they are grown up, they will be disfranchised and subject to a most tyrannical militia law. Other States may just now have Legislatures equally bad and corrupt, but there at least the remedy lies with the peoples and doubtless matters will be changed at the next election.  In Missouri this is impossible, for no person can vote, who is not loyal according to Knekel Drake & Company's definition of the term.  My plan at present is, for you and myself next summer to take a trip through the Southern part of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio to see if I can find a pleasant place to live, and where after I have become sufficiently acquainted with the "surroundings" I could either go into some kind of business, or buy myself a farm.
            Your mother and I feel very anxious to know, what will be best for you to do after you have graduated next summer.  If you want to study "mining engineering for an other term at Yale, I am willing.  A thorough knowlege of this profession might open the way for profitable employment in some of the Pacific and adjoining states, even if the war should continue that long.  Or you might go into some store to become acquainted with business, and after a year I would try to advance you some money to enable you to go into business for yourself.
        There is and other subject that I want to write to you about.  I have seen your last letter to Oscar, and in it you say "We (underscoring the word "we") will continue the war for five years, rather than submit to the North."  What you can mean by this, I do not understand, unless you have some idea of going South.  On this matter it is best to express any [?] very plainly.
        So far from your mother or myself ever consenting to such a step, we hereby most positively forbid it.
        If you were a citizen of one of the seceded states, there might be some excuse for your entering their army.  Under your circumstances, there is none.-- Missouri, by a fairly elected convention has decided four years ago to remain in the Union.  As a citizen of Missouri you owe allegiance to the United States, and cannot fight against them, without committing sin.  This is the clearly revealed will of God as taught in the Bible.  Nor can you avoid the sinfulness of the act, by saying, that you will throw off your allegiance by expatriating yourself.  The war of the southern states is at present an insurrection whether justifiable or not, does not affect your case.---
    It may become a successfull revolution, but just now you can not fight against the United States, without breaking the command of God, which requires Christians to be subject to their rulers.  Again, the Army is no place for a Christian.  There are good men in it, but ninety nine cases out of a hundred, they have become pious after having entered it, or they have entered it, or they have done so, for the purpose of defending their own homes.  War appeals to the worst passions of human nature, and the surroundings of an army are a fearful test of Christian graces.  How can you ask God, not to lead you into temptation, when you voluntarily expose yourself to it.  I hope, my dear son, these reasons, together with the positive command of your mother and myself will suffice to convince you, that such a step is inconsistent with your duty to God and your parents.  I will therefore but briefly say, that by it you would probably blast all your prospects for the future, and expose yourself to suffering of which you have hardly an idea.  I do not allude to physical hardships, but to the fact, that as a private soldier, you have to associate with the lowest class of people.  The bulk of every army must consist of them.-- perhaps less in the South than any where else, still even there to a very, very great extent.--
        I hope my dear son, that you will consider what I have written with a prayerfull disposition to do your duty.  That you should sympathize with the southern people, so far as they may be oppressed, it is natural and right, but remember, that it is very easy to attach to much importance to the questions which now agitate the American people.  Politics, as well as all other temporal affairs, are but as the small dust in a balance compared to the favor of God.  Secure that, my son, and all shall be well with you, without it, your life, even so far as this world is concerned, will be a failure.
                Good bye, dear Henry.  Your mother sends her love.

Your affectionate father
Eugene Gauss