hostile attitude towards the South and advised the adoption of this or any other cruel or unjust procedure on the part of the Northern government, there would have been just reasons for complaint on the part of Southern physicians. This, however, was not the case. The Association simply held itself firmly to its professional position, to its acknowledged sphere, to its accredited duties, and refused to go outside of that position to discuss a question which concerned that body no more than it did any private individual in the land.

It is not wise, nor is it required by any creed of general courtesy or ethics, that honor shall always forbid that which honor fails to sanction. Men are not expected or required to denounce every measure of which they cannot approve. There are often good reasons why they should not. Are they then to share the odium of measures entirely foreign to their sphere and beyond their control? There is certainly much difference between the man who commits crime and him who fails to remonstrate with the criminal! As well might we reproach and rebuke the high court of chancery, for failing to lecture the world on the subject of religion, the giving of alms to the poor, or, for any other philanthropic work which might be calculated to lessen the woes and mitigate the sufferings of fellow beings.

Society, and especially governments, has assigned to different individuals and classes their peculiar sphere and respective duties, and the world owes much of its harmony to this fortunate arrangement. We have our own code of ethics and etiquette and our own standard of morals, and, if we adhere strictly to these, we cannot interfere with the ethics of war established by ordinances of government. One of the great reconciling principles in the philosophy of life is a proper regard for the rights, duties and principles of others. Whilst, by the very nature of our calling, we are intimately connected with the interests of bumanity and should labor by every means rightfully at our command to promote its benefactions, we must be careful in our zeal for a good cause not to hazard the position and influence already gained, by invading the precincts and prerogatives of others.

The restraints and usages of governments in times of war may seem to us, in many particulars, unnecessarily harsh, oppressive and cruel, and. indeed, what civilian ever witnessed the operation of martial law who could

not find grave objections, both to its humanity and equity? But when these have been ordained by persons to whom we are only subordinate, we cannot be responsible for results, and should, in no way, share the odium, simply by failing to place ourselves in open antagonism to them.

As long as we labor with all the professional, intellectual, and moral efficiency at our command, for the fulfillment of duties properly within our legitimate and recognized sphere, we shall have accomplished all the good for humanity that the world can reasonably expect or require of us.

But even suppose the Association did commit an error, in fact and in spirit, in failing to remonstrate with its government as stated, where is the wisdom, at this day, of opposition to its future and permanent interests? Suppose that the feeble assaults which have been made upon it should swell into an hostility whose magnitude should in the end mar its progress, compass its disorganization and defeat its claims to a grand nationality, who could receive credit for such a work? Where would be the glory of success or the fruit of such victory? Could science, could humanity, could the country thank one for such a service?

What has brought the science of medicine to its present state of advancement but the labor of intellects combined in organization? Like the tiny insect which lays up its stores for the wants of winter, we too must acknowledge the great law which sanctions the wisdom of associated labor. The imperishable grandeur and usefulness of all sciences owe their highest development to organized effort. The future glories of the science of medicine in this country, lie embodied in powers yet latent in organization, and he who seeks to disturb this great element in its prosperity is no friend to progress.

The animus of the Association has shown itself to be honorable and kind in every reference made to its Southern members, during and since the war; honorable to itself, honorable to the profession, honorable, just and generous to the South. When I went to its last meeting (in Washington) I did so from a sense of duty and with the earnest desire of seeing the two sections united in their professional relations and purposes. I did not solicit any honors, and asked no man to vote for me for any office. Yet with a meagre representation from the

South, they conferred upon me the highest office in their gift. I knew myself to be unworthy of the high distinction and felt it was not intended for me. I knew it had a broader and higher significance than that of a mere tribute to personal and private ambition. I knew it to be in keeping with that kindly spirit displayed by the Northern delegates towards their Southern brethren throughout their "Transactions," and that it was but a fresh offering of the olive branch of peace. In this spirit, I accepted it. No man asked me anything in relation to my political sentiments. I cannot boast of performances in the late struggle, but I have never disguised the fact from any one, that in all the earnest desires of the heart which constitute devotion to a cause, I yield to none in my loyalty to that which has gone down in the gloom of defeat and for which those tender youths, your son and mine, fought side by side, and fighting fell for principles held dear by you and by me. I would not stultify myself on this point for all the honors which could be heaped upon me by the medical profession, or by any other class of men. Nor do I think my Northern brothers would respect me more for being false to my section. In the death of my boy, I found the hardest heart-sorrow of my life, and the weary years which have since passed by have been powerless to still its anguish; and yet I could but feel a mournful pride in a knowledge of the fact, that he died on the field of glory and true to the land which gave him birth.

But the crushed affections and blighted hopes of the father, who has yielded a noble sacrifice to his country, as he sits in silent and sacred memory of his holiest grief, can find no relief by barbing the anguish of his heart with feelings of malice, hatred and revenge towards those, who in honorable combat, had been made the instruments of his sorrow. Natural affection does not require this; true manliness does not demand it.

No, Doctor, I do not wish to cherish feelings of bitterness with the memory of my son. I wish to forget all that is painful and harrowing to the heart and to remember him as he was, the soldier, patriot and Christian, falling in honorable warfare, and, that the hand which sent the fatal ball which deprived him of life, was that of some brave and generous spirit, moved by the same high purpose, the same stern sense of duty, the same devotion to principle and country, whieh guided and actuated him.

So far from entertaining sentiments of unkindness towards our brothers of the medical profession North, growing out of this affliction, my only feeling has been, that if any one of them had been near him in that dreadful hour, his highest care would have been to have drawn, if possible, the fatal ball from his breast and restored him to life and health.

How unwise and unprofitable it is to seek to mingle the temper of partizan strife with the affairs of a great science. If the gallant General Hampton, whose blood flowed so freely in the late war, and whose home, with the homes of his people, was consumed and made desolate by the flames of the Northern army, can speak gratefully of "the spirit of conciliation, the magnanimity and the kindness" of those "who recognize us as no longer foes but brethren," can, for his country's good, declare his willingness to bury "all past differences in one common grave," to "accept the right hand of fellowship ** so frankly extended," and greet, as a "comrade," him whose hand "so lately grasped the sword," but now "bears the olive branch of peace," shall we be so sectional and prejudiced as to nurse feelings of hostility towards a brotherhood, from whom we have ever received only evidences of marked kindness and honorable courtesy?

If the talented and independent editor of the Richmond and Louisville Medical Journal, Prof. E. S. Gaillard, who lost his right arm, when a medical director, in the discharge of surgical duties on the field of battle, thus depriving him of all hope of further advancement in the special department which had been the choice of his youth, for which genius, education and a thorough method had so well prepared him, and to which the achievements of early manhood had already given such brilliant promise of successful ambition; I say if he can advise, that we should cover over the past "with the mantle of personal and professional charity," that we should "take the outstretched hand, accept the offer of friendliness and reconciliation;" and that the reception of the "medical men of America," when they asssemble in New Orleans, in May next, should be "not only a hospitable reception, but a warm, a manly and a generous welcome," cannot those who never felt a wound, and can even jest at scars, lay aside feelings which can neither yield fruits to our noble science nor do honor to our manhood? Is any one vain or weak enough to believe that our Northern

brothers will derive an advantage from fellowship, union and harmony which we will not share in an equal ratio? Pardon me, dear doctor, for trespassing so long upon your valuable time. I know you will excuse it in the interest which you feel in the general prosperity of the medical profession of the whole country, and especially in the desire which you feel to see your Southern friends come fully up to their duty, in meeting the honorable advances which have been made by our Northern brothers, looking to a complete and perfect fraternization. I think the American Medical Association is to be the power, through which a greater good is to be accomplished for the profession in this country, than has yet been achieved. On this point you may perhaps hear from me at some future time. I will only say now, that its organization had its inception chiefly in an idea which has not yet been realized that of elevating the standard of medical education in this country. But I believe its labors in this direction will yet be felt and acknowledged. To this end, it must be national and represent the interests of the profession in every part of the country. Those who comprehend the grandeur of its germ, appreciate full well the ultimate possibility of its nature, and will see to it, that the inspiration which gave it birth shall be worked to a final and successful end. The advancement of science, the affections of an enlightened brotherhood, the interests of society and the good of humanity are all united with it, and from every section I have the most gratifying assurances of a determination to bury all other sentiments in the one great purpose of promoting harmony and concert of action, with the kindest feelings of fraternal regard. Assure our friends of the North of this, and tell them we desire to meet them in large numbers in New Orleans in May.

With assurances of the highest regard, believe me, dear doctor, most sincerely and truly your friend, W. O. BALDWIN, M.D.

[LETTER 3.]

NEW YORK, No. 4 WEST TWENTY-SECOND STREET,

W. O. Baldwin, M.D.:

March 8, 1869.

MY DEAR DOCTOR: Your letter of the 2d has just come to hand. I hasten to reply by return mail.

Whilst I am fully sensible that your kind feelings for