第3章

Davis，whowasdestinedeventuallytobecomethetargetofYancey"sbitterestenmity，hadrefusedtenyearsbeforetojoininthesecessionmovementwhichignoredCalhoun"sdoctrinethattheSouthhadbecomeasocialunit。Thoughabelieverinslaveryundertheconditionsofthemoment，Davishadnoneofthepassionoftheslavebaronforslaveryatallcosts。Furthermore，aseventsweredestinedtoshowinastartlinglydramaticway，hewascarelessofSouthCarolina"spassionforstaterights。Hewasapracticalpolitician，butnotatalltheoldtypeofthepartyofpoliticalevasion，thetypeofToombs。NoothermanofthemomentwasonthewholesowellabletocombinetheelementsofSouthernpoliticsagainstthosemorenegativeelementsofwhichToombswasthesymbol。ThehistoryoftheConfederacyshowsthatthecombinationwhichDavisnoweffectedwasnotasthoroughashesupposeditwas。ButatthemomentheappearedtosucceedandseemedtogivecommonpurposetothevastmajorityoftheSouthernpeople。WithhisallyBenjamin，hestruckattheToombspolicyofaNationalDemocraticparty。

OnthedayfollowingtheelectionofPennington，DavisintroducedintheSenateaseriesofresolutionswhichweretoserveastheSouthernultimatum，andwhichdemandedofCongresstheprotectionofslaveryagainstterritoriallegislatures。ThiswasbutcarryingtoitslogicalconclusionthatDredScottdecisionwhichDouglasandhisfollowersproposedtoaccept。IfCongresscouldnotrestrictslaveryintheterritories，howcoulditscreature，aterritoriallegislaturedoso?AndyettheDouglasmenattemptedtotakeawaythepowerfromCongressandtoretainitfortheterritoriallegislatures。SenatorPughofOhiohadalreadylockedhornswithDavisonthispoint，andhadattemptedtoshowthataterritorialLegislaturewasindependentofCongress。"ThenIwouldasktheSenatorfurther，"retortedthelogicalDavis，"whyitishemakesanappropriationtopaymembersoftheterritoriallegislature；howitisthatheinveststheGovernorwithvetopowerovertheiracts；andhowitisthatheappointsjudgestodecideuponthevalidityoftheiracts。"

IntheDemocraticconventionwhichmetatCharlestoninApril，1860，thewaningpowerofpoliticalevasionmadeitslastrealstandagainsttherisingpowerofpoliticalpositivism。ToacceptDouglasandtheideathatsomehowterritoriallegislatureswerefreetodowhatCongresscouldnotdo，ortorejectDouglasandendorseDavis"sultimatum——thatinsubstancewastheissue。

"Inthisconventionwherethereshouldbeconfidenceandharmony，"saidthe"CharlestonMercury"，"itisplainthatmenfeelasiftheyweregoingintoabattle。"InthecommitteeonresolutionswheretheStateswereequallyrepresented，themajoritywereanti-Douglas；theysubmittedareportaffirmingDavis"spositionthatterritoriallegislatureshadnorighttoprohibitslaveryandthattheFederalGovernmentshouldprotectslaveryagainstthem。TheminorityrefusedtogofurtherthananapprovaloftheDredScottcaseandapledgetoabidebyallfuturedecisionsoftheSupremeCourt。Afterbothreportshadbeensubmitted，therefollowedthecentraleventoftheconvention——thenowfamousspeechbyYanceywhichrepudiatedpoliticalevasionfromtoptobottom，franklydefendedslavery，anddemandedeithercompleteguaranteesforitscontinuedexistenceor，asanalternative，Southernindependence。PughinstantlyrepliedandsummedupYancey"sspeechasademanduponNorthernDemocratstosaythatslaverywasright，andthatitwastheirdutynotonlytoletslaveryalonebuttoaidinextendingit。"GentlemenoftheSouth，"heexclaimed，"youmistakeus——youmistakeus——wewillnotdoit。"

Inthefullconvention，wheretherepresentationoftheStateswasnotequal，theDouglasmen，afterhotdebate，forcedtheadoptionoftheminorityreport。ThereupontheAlabamadelegationprotestedandformallywithdrewfromtheconvention，andotherdelegationsfollowed。TherewaswildexcitementinCharleston，wherethateveninginthestreetsYanceyaddressedcrowdsthatcheeredforaSouthernrepublic。TheremaininghistoryoftheDemocraticnominationsisamatterofdetail。TheCharlestonconventionadjournedwithoutmakingnominations。Eachofitsfragmentsreorganizedasaseparateconvention，andultimatelytwoDemocraticticketswereputintothefield，withBreckinridgeofKentuckyasthecandidateontheYanceyticketandDouglasontheother。

WhiletheDemocratswerethusmakinghistorythroughtheirfatefulbreak-upintoseparateparties，aconsiderablenumberoftheso-calledbestpeopleofthecountrydeterminedthattheyhadnowherepoliticallytolaytheirheads。AfewoftheoldWhigswerestillunabletoconsorteitherwithRepublicansorwithDemocrats，oldornew。TheKnow-Nothings，likewise，thoughtheirnumberhadbeensteadilymeltingaway，hadnotentirelydisappeared。Tounitethesepoliticalremnantsinanydefinitepoliticalwholeseemedbeyondhumaningenuity。Acommonsentiment，however，theydidhave——arealloveoftheUnionandarealunhappiness，becauseitsexistenceappearedtobethreatened。TheoutcomewasthattheyorganizedtheConstitutionalUnionParty，nominatingforPresidentJohnBellofTennessee，andforVicePresidentEdwardEverettofMassachusetts。TheirplatformwaslittlemorethanaprofessionofloveoftheUnionandacondemnationofsectionalselfishness。

ThisBellandEveretttickethasadeepersignificancethanhasgenerallybeenadmitted。ItrevealsthefactthatthesentimentofUnion，indistinctionfromthebeliefintheUnion，hadbecomearealforceinAmericanlife。Therecouldbenoclearertestimonytothestrengthofthisfeelingthanthisspectacleofagreatcongregationofmoderatepeople，unabletoagreeuponanythingexceptthissentiment，steppingbetweenthesectionalpartieslikearesolutewayfarergoingforwardintodarknessalongaperilousstrandbetweentworagingseas。ThatthisfeelingofUnionwasthesamethingastheeagerdeterminationoftheRepublicans，in1860，tocontroltheGovernmentisoneofthosehistoricalfallaciesthathavehadtheirday。TheRepublicanpartybecame，intimeandunderstressofwar，therefugeofthissentimentandprovedsufficientlyfar-sightedtomergeitsidentitytemporarilyinthecompositeUnionpartyof1864。Butin1860itwasstillasectionalparty。AmongitsleadersLincolnwasperhapstheonlyUnionistinthesamesenseasBellandEverett。

PerhapsthetruestUnionistsoftheNorth，outsidetheConstitutionalUnionParty，in1860，werethoseDemocratsinthefollowingofDouglaswho，afterfightingtothelastditchagainstboththesectionalparties，weretoaccept，in1861，thealternativeofwarratherthandissolution。ThecourseofDouglashimself，asweshallseehereafter，showedthatinhismindtherewasafixedlimitofconcessionbeyondwhichhecouldnotgo。Whencircumstancesforcedhimtothatlimit，thesentimentofUniontookcontrolofhim，sweptasidehispoliticaljugglery，abolishedhistime-serving，anddrovehimintocooperationwithhisbitterestfoesthattheUnionmightbesaved。NorwasthepuresentimentofUnionconfinedtotheNorthandWest。ThoughundoubtedlythesentimentoflocalitywasmorepowerfulthroughtheSouth，yetwhenthetestcameintheelectionof1860，theleadingcandidateoftheupperSouth，inVirginia，Kentucky，andTennessee，wasJohnBell，theConstitutionalUnionist。IneverySouthernStatethissentimentwasabletocommandaconsiderablepartofthevote。*

*ApossibleexceptionwasSouthCarolina。Asthepresidentialelectorswereappointedbythelegislature，thereisnocertainrecordofminoritysentiment。

Widelydifferentintemperwerethosesternandresolutemenwhoseorganization，inperfectfightingtrim，facedeagerlythedividedDemocrats。TheRepublicanshadnodivisionamongthemselvesupondoctrine。Suchdivisionasexistedwasduetotheordinaryrivalryofpoliticalleaders。IntheopinionofallhisenemiesandofmostAmericans，SewardwastheRepublicanmanofthehour。Duringmuchof1859hehaddiscreetlywithdrawnfromthecountryandhadlefttohispartisanstheconductofhiscampaign，whichseemstohavebeengoingwellwhenhereturnedinthemidstoftheturmoilfollowingthedeathofJohnBrown。

Neverthelesshewasdisturbedoverhisprospects，forhefoundthatinmanyminds，bothNorthandSouth，hewaslookeduponastheultimatecauseofalltheturmoil。Hisfamousspeechonthe"irrepressibleconflict"waseverywherequotedasanexultantprophecyoftheseterriblelatterdays。

ItwaslongthecustomtodenytoSewardanygoodmotiveinaspeechwhichhenowdelivered，justasitwastodenyWebsteranygoodmotiveforhisfamous7thofMarchspeech。Butsuchcriticismisnowlessfrequentthanitusedtobe。BothmenwereseekingthePresidency；both，wemayfairlybelieve，wereshockedbytheturmoilofpoliticalcurrents；eachtriedoilingthewaters，andintheattempteachruinedhiscandidacy。Seward"sspeechincondemnationofJohnBrowninFebruary，1860，wasanappealtotheconservativeNorthagainsttheradicalNorth，andtomanyofhisfollowersitseemedachangeoffront。Itcertainlygainedhimnonewfriendsanditlosthimsomeoldones，sothathisstarasapresidentialcandidatebeganitsdecline。

ThefirstballotintheRepublicanconventionsurprisedthecountry。Ofthevotes，233werenecessaryforachoice。Sewardhadonly1731/2。Nexttohim，with102votes，stoodnoneoftheleadingcandidates，butthecomparativelyobscureLincoln。Agapofmorethan50votesseparatedLincolnfromCameron，Chase，andBates。OnthesecondballotSewardgained11votes，whileLincolngained79。TheenemiesofSeward，findingitimpossibletocombineonanyoftheconspicuouscandidates，weremovingtowardLincoln，themanwithfewestenemies。ThethirdballotgaveLincolnthenomination。

WehaveseenthatoneofthebasalquestionsofthetimewaswhichnewpoliticalgroupshouldabsorbtheWhigremainder。TheConstitutionalUnionpartyaimedtoaccomplishthis。TheRepublicanssoughttoout-maneuverthem。TheymadetheirplatformastemperateastheycouldandyetconsistentwiththemaintenanceoftheiroppositiontoDouglasandpopularsovereignty；andtheywentnofurtherintheiranti-slaverydemandsthanthattheterritoriesshouldbepreservedforfreelabor。

AnotherbasalquestionhadbeenconsideredintheRepublicanplatform。WherewouldNortherncapitalstandinthereorganizationofparties?Wascapital，likemen，tobecomefranklysectionalorwoulditremainimpersonal，carelesshownationsroseorfell，solongasdividendscontinued?Tosomeextentcapitalhadgivenananswer。When，intheexcitementfollowingtheJohnBrownincident，aSouthernnewspaperpublishedawhitelistofNewYorkmerchantswhosepoliticalviewsshouldcommendthemtoSoutherners，andablacklistofthosewhowereobjectionable，manyNewYorkerssoughtaplaceinthewhitelist。

Northerncapitalhaddoneitspartinfinancingtherevivedslavetrade。AugustBelmont，theNewYorkrepresentativeoftheRothschilds，wasoneoftheclosealliesofDavis，Yancey，andBenjaminintheirwaruponDouglas。Inaword，agreatportionofNortherncapitalhaditsheartwhereitsinvestmentswere——intheSouth。Buttherewasothercapitalwhichobeyedthesamelaw，andwhichhadinvestmentsintheNorth；andwiththiscapitaltheRepublicanshadbeentrafficking。TheyhadsucceededinwinningoverthepowerfulmanufacturinginterestsofPennsylvania，thepivotalStatethathadelectedBuchananin1856。

ThestepsbywhichthenewpartyofenthusiasmmadeitsdealwiththebodyofcapitalwhichwasnotatonewithBelmontandtheDemocratsarenotessentialtothepresentnarrative。Twofactssuffice。In1857agreatcollapseinAmericanbusiness——"thepanicoffifty-seven"——ledthecommercialworldtoturntothepartyinpowerforsomeschemeofredress。Buttheirveryprinciples，amongwhichwasnon-interventioninbusiness，madetheDemocratsfeebledoctorsforsuchaneed，andtheyevadedthesituation。TheRepublicans，withtheirinsistenceonpositivismingovernment，hadthereforeanopportunitytomakeanewapplicationofthedoctrineofgovernmentalaidtobusiness。Inthespringof1860，theRepublicanHouseofRepresentativespassedtheMorrilltariffbill，considerationofwhichwaspostponedbytheDemocraticSenate。Butitserveditspurpose:

itwasaRepublicanmanifesto。TheRepublicansfeltthatthisbill，togetherwiththeirpartyplatform，gavethenecessaryguaranteetothePennsylvaniamanufacturers，andtheythereforeenteredthecampaignconfidenttheywouldcarryPennsylvanianorwastheirconfidencemisplaced。

Thecampaignwascharacterizedbythreethings:byanominousquietcoupledwithgreatintensityoffeeling；bytheorganizationofhugepartysocietiesinmilitaryform——"Wide-awakes"forLincoln，numbering400，000，and"MinuteMen"forBreckenridge，withamembershipchieflySouthern；andbytheperfectfrankness，inallpartsoftheSouth，ofthreatsofsecessionincasetheRepublicanswon。

InnoneoftheStateswhicheventuallysecededwereanyvotescastforLincoln，withtheexceptionofasmallnumberinVirginia。InalmostalltheotherSouthernStatesandintheslave-holdingborderStates，alltheothercandidatesmaderespectableshowings。InVirginia，Tennessee，andKentucky，Bellled。Buteverywhereelseintheotherslave-holdingStatesBreckinridgeled，exceptinginMissouriwhereDouglaswonbyafewhundred。EveryfreeStateexceptNewJerseywentforLincoln。Andyethedidnothaveamajorityofthepopularvote，whichstood:Lincoln，1，866，459；Douglas，1，376，957；

Breckinridge，849，781；Bell，588，879*。ThemajorityagainstLincolnwasnearlyamillion。ThedistributionofthevoteswassuchthatLincolnhadintheElectoralCollege，180electors；

Breckinridge，72；Bell，39；Douglas，12。InneitherHouseofCongressdidtheRepublicanshaveamajority。

*Thefiguresofthepopularvotearevariouslygivenbydifferentcompilers。ThesearetakenfromStanwood，"AHistoryofthePresidency"。

CHAPTERV。SECESSION

IntracingAmericanhistoryfrom1854to1860wecannotfailtoobservethatitreducesitselfchieflytoaprobleminthatsciencewhichpoliticiansunderstandsowell——appliedpsychology。

Definitetypesofmenmouldedbytheconditionsofthosedaysarethedeterminingfactors——nottheslaveryquestioninitself；not，primarily，economicforces；notatheoryofgovernment，noraclashoftheories；notanyonething；butthefluid，changefulforcesofhumannature，battlingwithcircumstancesandexpressingthemselvesinthefashionofmen"sminds。Tosaythisistoacknowledgethefatefulnessofsheerfeeling。Davisdescribedthesituationexactlywhenhesaid，in1860，"A

sectionalhostilityhasbeensubstitutedforageneralfraternity。"Tohisownquestion，"Whereistheremedy?"hegavetheanswer，"Intheheartsofthepeople。"There，afterall，istheconclusionofthewholematter。ThestrifebetweenNorthandSouthhadceasedtobeathingofthehead；ithadbecomeathingoftheheart。Grantedtheemotionsof1860，thewayinwhichourcountrystaggeredintowarhasalltheterriblefascinationofatragedyonthethemeoffate。

ThatasecessionmovementwouldbeginsomewhereintheSouthbeforetheendof1860wasaforegoneconclusion。SouthCarolinawasthelogicalplace，andinSouthCarolinatheinevitableoccurred。Thepresidentialelectionwasquicklyfollowedbyanelectionofdelegates，onthe6thofDecember，toconsiderinconventiontherelationsoftheStatewiththeUnion。TheargumentsbeforetheConventionwerefamiliarandhadbeenadvocatedsince1851。Theleadersofthedisunionistswerethesamewhohadledtheunsuccessfulmovementoftenyearsbefore。

ThecentralfigurewasRhett，whoneverforamomenthadwavered。

ConsumedhislifelongbytheoneideaoftheindependenceofSouthCarolina，thatsternenthusiastpressedontoatriumphantconclusion。Thepowerswhichhaddefeatedhimin1851werenoweithersilentorconverted，sothattherewaspracticallynoopposition。InaburstofpassionatezealtheindependenceofSouthCarolinawasproclaimedonDecember20，1860，byanordinanceofsecession。

Simultaneously，byoneofthosedramaticcoincidenceswhichmakehistorystrangerthanfiction，Lincolntookastepwhichsupplementedthisactionandestablisheditstragicsignificance。

Whatthatstepwaswillappearinamoment。

Evenbeforethesecessionbegan，varioustypesofmeninpoliticshadbeguntodoeachafterhiskind。Thosewhomdestinydrovefirstintoacornerweretheloversofpoliticalevasion。TheissuewasforceduponthembytheinstantaneousdemandofthepeopleofSouthCarolinaforpossessionoffortsinCharlestonHarborwhichwerecontrolledbytheFederalGovernment。

Anticipatingsuchademand，MajorRobertAnderson，thecommandantatCharleston，hadwrittentoBuchananonthe23dofNovemberthat"FortSumterandCastlePinckneymustbegarrisonedimmediately，iftheGovernmentdeterminestokeepcommandofthisharbor。"

InthemindofeveryAmericanofthepartyofpoliticalevasion，therenowbeganasad，internalconflict。Everyoneofthemhadtochooseamongthreecourses:toshuthiseyesandtocontinuetowailthatthefunctionofgovernmentistodonothing；tomakeanendofpoliticalevasionandtocomeoutfranklyinapprovaloftheSouthernposition；ortobreakwithhisownrecord，toemergefromhisevasionsontheoppositeside，andtoconfesshimselffirstandbeforeallasupporteroftheUnion。Oneoranotherofthesethreecourses，soonerorlater，everymanofthePresident"sfollowingchose。Weshallseepresentlytherelativestrengthofthethreegroupsintowhichthatfollowingbrokeandwhatstrangecoursessometimestragic，sometimescomic——twoofthethreepursued。ForthemomentourconcernishowthedivisionmanifesteditselfamongtheheadsofthepartyatWashington。

ThePresidenttookthefirstofthethreecourses。Hehelditwiththenervousclutchofaweaknatureuntilovermasteredbytwogrimmenwhograduallyhypnotizedhiswill。Theturning-pointforBuchanan，andthelastpoorcrisisinhisingloriouscareer，cameonSunday，December30th。Beforethatdayarrived，hisvacillationhadmovedhisfriendstopityandhisenemiestoscorn。Oneofhisbestfriendswroteprivately，"ThePresidentispalewithfear"；andthehostilepointofviewfoundexpressioninsuchcommentsasthis，"Buchanan，itissaid，divideshistimebetweenprayingandcrying。Suchaperfectimbecileneverheldofficebefore。"

Withthequestionwhattodoaboutthefortshangingoverhisbewilderedsoul，BuchanansentamessagetoCongressonDecember4，1860，inwhichhesoughttodefendthetraditionalevasivepolicyofhisparty。Hedeniedtheconstitutionalrightofsecession，buthewasalsodeniedhisownrighttoopposesuchacourse。SewardwasnotunfairtothementalcaliberofthemessagewhenhewrotetohiswifethatBuchananshowed"conclusivelythatitisthedutyofthePresidenttoexecutethelaws——unlesssomebodyopposeshim；andthatnoStatehasarighttogooutoftheUnionunlessitwantsto。"

ThismessageofBuchanan"shastenedtheinevitableseparationoftheDemocraticpartyintoitselements。TheablestSouthernmemberoftheCabinet，Cobb，resigned。Hewastoostronganintellecttocontinuethepolicyof"nothingdoing"nowthatthecrisishadcome。HewastoodevotedaSouthernertocomeoutofpoliticalevasionexceptononeside。OnthedayCobbresignedtheSouthCarolinaRepresentativescalledonBuchananandaskedhimnottomakeanychangeinthedispositionoftroopsatCharleston，andparticularlynottostrengthenSumter，afortressonanislandinthemidstoftheharbor，withoutatleastgivingnoticetothestateauthorities。Whatwassaidinthisinterviewwasnotputinwritingbutwasrememberedafterwardindifferentwayswithunfortunateconsequences。

EveryactionofBuchananinthisfatefulmonthcontinuedthedisintegrationofhisfollowing。JustasCobbhadtochoosebetweenhisreasoningsasaDemocraticpartymanandhisfeelingsasaSoutherner，sotheagedCass，hisSecretaryofState，andanoldpersonalfriend，nowfeltconstrainedtochoosebetweenhisDemocraticreasoningandhisNorthernsympathies，andresignedfromtheCabinetonthe11thofDecember。Buchananthenturnedinstinctivelytothestrongestnaturesthatremainedamonghiscloseassociates。ItisacomplimenttotheinnateforceofJeremiahS。Black，theAttorney-General，thatBuchananadvancedhimtothepostofSecretaryofStateandallowedhimtonameashissuccessorintheAttorney-GeneralshipEdwinM。Stanton。BothweretriedDemocratsoftheoldstyle，"let-"em-alone"sort；andbothhadsupportedthePresidentinhisKansaspolicy。Buteach，likeeveryothermemberofhisparty，wasbeingforcedbycircumstancestomakehischoiceamongthethreeinevitablecourses，andeachchosetheNorthernside。AtoncethequestionofthemomentwaswhetherthenewSecretaryofStateandhispowerfulhenchmenwouldhypnotizethePresident。

Foracoupleofweekstheissuehunginthebalance。ThenthereappearedatWashingtoncommissionersfromSouthCarolina"empoweredtotreat……forthedeliveryofforts……andotherrealestate"heldbytheFederalGovernmentwithintheirState。Onthedayfollowingtheirarrival，BuchananwasinformedbytelegraphthatAndersonhaddismantledFortMoultrieonthenorthsideoftheharbor，hadspikeditsguns，andhadremoveditsgarrisontotheislandfortress，Sumter，whichwassupposedtobefarmoredefensible。AtCharlestonhisactionwasinterpretedaspreparationforwar；andallSouthCarolinianssawinitaviolationofapledgewhichtheybelievedthePresidenthadgiventheircongressmen，threeweeksprevious，inthattalkwhichhadnotbeenwrittendown。Greatlyexcitedandfearfulofdesignsagainstthem，theSouthCarolinacommissionersheldtwoconferenceswiththePresidentonthe27thand28thofDecember。

Theybelievedthathehadbrokenhisword，andtheytoldhimso。

Deeplyagitatedandrefusingtoadmitthathehadcommittedhimselfattheearlierconference，hesaidthatAndersonhadactedonhisownresponsibility，butherefusedtoorderhimbacktothenowruinedFortMoultrie。Oneremarkwhichheletfallhasbeenrememberedasevidenceofhisquerulousstateofmind:

"Youarepressingmetooimportunately"exclaimedtheunhappyPresident；"youdon"tgivemetimetoconsider；youdon"tgivemetimetosaymyprayers；Ialwayssaymyprayerswhenrequiredtoactuponanygreatstateaffair。"OneremembersHampden"seekingtheLord"aboutshipmoney，andonerealizesthatthesameactmayhaveavastlydifferentsignificanceindifferenttemperaments。

Buchanan，however，wasvirtuallyreadytogivewaytothedemandofthecommissioners。HedrewupapapertothateffectandshowedittotheCabinet。Thentheturning-pointcame。Inapainfulinterview，Black，longoneofhismosttrustedfriends，toldhimofhisintentiontoresign，andthatStantonwouldgowithhimandprobablyalsothePostmaster-General，Holt。TheideaoflosingthesupportofthesestrongpersonalitiesterrifiedBuchanan，whoimmediatelyfellintoapanic。HandingBlackthepaperhehaddrawnup，Buchananbeggedhimtoretainofficeandtoalterthepaperashesawfit。TothisBlackagreed。Thedemandforthesurrenderofthefortswasrefused；

AndersonwasnotorderedbacktoMoultrie；andforthebriefremainderofBuchanan"sadministrationBlackactedasprimeminister。

AverypowerfulsectionoftheNortherndemocracy，welltypifiedbytheirleadersatWashington，hadthusemergedfrompoliticalevasionontheNorthernside。Thesemen，knownafterwardsasWarDemocrats，combinedwiththeRepublicanstoformthecompositeUnionpartywhichsupportedLincoln。ItissignificantthatStantoneventuallyreappearedintheCabinetasLincoln"sSecretaryofWar，andthatalongwithhimappearedanotherWarDemocrat，GideonWelles，Lincoln"sSecretaryoftheNavy。Withthem，atlast，Douglas，thegreatestofalltheoldDemocratsoftheNorth，tookhisposition。WhatbecameoftheotherfactionsoftheoldDemocraticpartyremainstobetold。

WhileBuchanan，earlyinthemonth，wasweepingoverthepitilessnessoffate，morepracticalNorthernersweregrapplingwiththequestionofwhatwastobedoneaboutthesituation。Intheirthoughtstheyanticipatedalaterstatesmanandrealizedthattheywereconfrontedbyaconditionandnotbyatheory。

Secessionwasatlastareality。Whichcourseshouldtheytake?

Whatstrikesusmostforcibly，aswelookbackuponthatday，isthewidespreaddesireforpeace。Theabolitionistsformaconspicuousexample。Theirwatchwordwas"Lettheerringsistersgoinpeace。"WendellPhillips，theirmostgiftedorator，amasterofspokenstyleatoncesimpleandmelodious，declaimedsplendidlyagainstwar。Garrison，in"TheLiberator"，followedhisexample。Whittierputthesamefeelingintohisverse:

TheybreakthelinksofUnion；shallwelightTheflamesofhelltoweldanewthechainOnthatredanvilwhereeachblowispain?

HoraceGreeleysaidinaneditorialinthe"NewYorkTribune":

"IfthecottonstatesshalldecidethattheycandobetteroutoftheUnionthaninit，weshallinsistonlettingthemgoinpeace。WheneveraconsiderablesectionofourUnionshalldeliberatelyresolvetogoout，weshallresistallcoercivemeasuresdesignedtokeepthemin。Wehopenevertoliveinarepublicwhereonesectionispinnedtotheresiduebybayonets。"

TheDemocratsnaturallyclungtotheirtraditions，and，evenwhentheywentover，asBlackandStantondid，totheAnti-Southerngroup，theystillhopedthatwarwouldnotbetheresult。

EquallyearnestagainstwarweremostoftheRepublicans，thoughafew，tobesure，werereadytoswingthe"Northernhammer。"

Summerprophesiedthatslaverywould"godowninblood。"ButthebulkoftheRepublicanswereforasectionalcompromise，andamongthemtherewasgeneralapprobationofaschemewhichcontemplatedrevivingthelineoftheMissouriCompromise，andthusfranklyadmittingtheexistenceoftwodistinctsections，andguaranteeingtoeachthesecurityofitsowninstitutions。

ThegreatestRepublicanbossofthatday，ThurlowWeed，cameoutindefenseofthisplan。

Nopowerwasarrayedmorezealouslyonthesideofpeaceofanykindthanthepowerofmoney。ItwasestimatedthattwohundredmillionsofdollarswereowedbySouthernerstoNortherners。

War，itwasreasoned，wouldcausethecancellationoftheseobligations。TosavetheirSouthernaccounts，themoneyedinterestsoftheNorthjoinedtheextremistsofAbolitioninpleadingtolettheerringsistersgoinpeace，ifnecessary，ratherthanprovokethemtowarandtheconfiscationofdebts。

Itwasthedreadofsuchanoutcome——whichfinallyhappenedandruinedmanyNorthernfirms——thatcausedthestock-marketinNewYorktogoupanddownwithfeverishuncertainty。BankssuspendedpaymentinWashington，Baltimore，andPhiladelphia。

Theoneimportantandall-engrossingthinginthemind"seyeofallthefinancialworldatthismomentwasthatspecterofunpaidSouthernaccounts。

Atthisjuncture，SenatorCrittendenofKentuckysubmittedtotheSenateaplanwhichhasbeenknowneversinceastheCrittendenCompromise。ItwassimilartoWeed"splan，butitalsoprovidedthatthedivisionofthecountryontheMissouriCompromiselineshouldbeestablishedbyaconstitutionalamendment，whichwouldthusforeversolidifysectionalism。Thoseelementsofthepopulationgenerallycalledtheconservativeandtheresponsibleweredelighted。EdwardEverettwrotetoCrittenden，"Isawwithgreatsatisfactionyourpatrioticmovement，andIwishfromthebottomofmyheartitmightsucceed"；andAugustBelmontinalettertoCrittendenspokeforthemoneyedinterest:"IhaveyettomeetthefirstUnion-lovingman，inoroutofpolitics，whodoesnotapproveyourcompromiseproposition……"

TheSenatesubmittedtheCompromisetoaCommitteeofThirteen。

InthiscommitteetheSouthernleaders，ToombsandDavis，werebothwillingtoaccepttheCompromise，ifamajorityoftheRepublicanmemberswouldagree。Indeed，iftheRepublicanswouldagreetoit，thereseemednoreasonwhyanewunderstandingbetweenthesectionsmightnotbereached，andnoreasonwhysectionalism，ifacceptedasthebasisofthegovernment，mightnotsolvetheimmediateproblemandthusavertwar。

InthiscrisisalleyeswereturnedtoSeward，thatconspicuousRepublicanwhowasgenerallylookeduponastherealheadofhisparty。AndSeward，atthatverymoment，wasdebatingwhethertoacceptLincoln"sofferoftheSecretaryshipofState，forheconsidereditvitaltohaveanunderstandingwithLincolnonthesubjectoftheCompromise。HetalkedthematteroverwithWeed，andtheydecidedthatWeedshouldgotoSpringfieldandcometotermswithLincoln。ItwastheinterviewbetweenWeedandLincolnheld，itseems，ontheverydayonwhichtheOrdinanceofSecessionwasadopted——whichgavetothatdayitsdoublesignificance。

Lincolnrefusedpoint-blanktoacceptthecompromiseandheputhisrefusalinwriting。Thehistoricmeaningofhisrefusal，andthesignificanceofhisdeterminationnottosolvetheproblemofthehourbyacceptingadualsystemofgovernmentbasedonfranklysectionalassumptions，wereprobably，inameasure，lostonbothWeedandSeward。Theyhad，however，nomisunderstandingofitspracticaleffect。ThiscrudeWesternlawyerhadcertainideasfromwhichhewouldnotbudge，andthepartywouldhavetogoalongwithhim。WeedandSewardthereforepromptlyfellintoline，andSewardacceptedtheSecretaryshipandcameoutinoppositiontotheCompromise。OtherRepublicanswithwhomLincolnhadcommunicatedbylettermadeknownhisviews，andGreeleyannouncedtheminTheTribune。TheoutcomewasthesolidalignmentofalltheRepublicansinCongressagainsttheCompromise。Asaresult，thislastattempttoreunitethesectionscametonothing。

Notmorethanonceortwice，ifever，inAmericanhistory，hastherebeensuchananxiousNewYear"sDayasthatwhichusheredin1861。Afewdaysbefore，aRepublicanCongressmanhadwrittentooneofhisconstituents:"Theheavensareindeedblackandanawfulstormisgathering……IseenowaythateitherNorthorSouthcanescapeitsfury。"Eventswereindeedmovingfasttowarddisaster。ThegarrisonatSumterwasinneedofsupplies，andinthefirstweekofthenewyearBuchananattemptedtorelieveitswants。Butamerchantvessel，theStaroftheWest，bywhichsuppliesweresent，wasfireduponbytheSouthCarolinaauthoritiesasitapproachedtheharborandwascompelledtoturnback。ThisincidentcausedthewithdrawalfromtheCabinetofthelastoppositionmembers——Thompson，ofMississippi，theSecretaryoftheInterior，andThomas，ofMaryland，theSecretaryoftheTreasury。InthecourseofthemonthfiveSouthernStatesfollowedSouthCarolinaoutoftheUnion，andtheirSenatorsandRepresentativesresignedfromtheCongressoftheUnitedStates。

TheresignationofJeffersonDaviswascommunicatedtotheSenateinaspeechoffarewellwhichevennowholdstheimaginationofthestudent，andwhichtothemenofthatday，withtheUnioncrumblingaroundthem，seemedoneofthemostmournfulanddramaticoforations。Davispossessedabeautiful，melodiousvoice；hehadanoblepresence，tall，erect，spare，evenascetic，withaflashingblueeye。Hewasdeeplymovedbytheoccasion；

hisaddresswasarequiem。Thathewithdrewinsorrowbutwithfixeddetermination，noonewholistenedtohimcoulddoubt。

EarlyinFebruary，theSouthernConfederacywasformedwithDavisasitsprovisionalPresident。Withthepropheticvisionofalogicalmind，hesawthatwarwasinevitable，andheboldlyproclaimedhisvision。InvariousspeechesonhiswaySouth，hehadassuredtheSouthernpeoplethatwarwascoming，andthatitwouldbelongandbloody。

ThewithdrawaloftheseSouthernmembersthrewthecontroloftheHouseintothehandsoftheRepublicans。TheirrealizationoftheirpowerwasexpressedintwomeasureswhichalsopassedtheSenate；Kansaswasadmitted——asaStatewithananti-slaveryconstitution；andtheMorrilltariff，whichtheyhadfailedtopassthepreviousspring，nowbecamelaw。ThustheRepublicansbeganredeemingtheirpledgestotheanti-slaverymenontheonehandandtothecommercialinterestontheother。ThetimehadnowarrivedfortheRepublicannomineetoproceedfromSpringfieldtoWashington。ThejourneywascircuitousinordertoenableLincolntospeakatanumberofplaces。Neverbefore，probably，hadtheNorthernpeoplefeltsuchtensestrainasatthatmoment；neverhadtheylookedtoanincomingPresidentwithsuchanxiousdoubt。Wouldhepreventwar?Or，ifhecouldnotdothat，wouldhebeabletoextricatethecountry——Heavenaloneknewhow!——withoutaterribleordeal?Sincehiselection，LincolnhadremainedquietlyatSpringfield。ThoughhehadinfluencedeventsthroughletterstoCongressmen，hisoneconspicuousactionduringthatwinterwasthedefeatoftheCrittendenCompromise。TheSouthernPresidenthadcalleduponhispeopletoputtheirhouseinorderaspreparationforwar。

What，now，hadLincolntosaytothepeopleoftheNorth?

ThebiographersofLincolnhavenotsatisfactorilyrevealedthestateofhismindbetweenelectionandinauguration。Wemaysafelyguessthathissilencecoveredagreatinternalstruggle。

ExceptforhisoneactionindefeatingtheCompromise，hehadallowedeventstodrift；butbythatoneactionhehadtakenuponhimselftheresponsibilityforthedrift。Thoughthecountryatthattimedidnotfullyappreciatethisaspectofthesituation，whonowcandoubtthatLincolndid?Hismindwasalwaysalonelyone。Hisveryhumorhasinit，sooften，thenoteofsolitude，ofonewhoislaughingtomakethebestofthings，ofonewhoisspirituallyalone。Duringthosemonthswhenthecountrydriftedfromitsmoorings，andwhenwarwasbecomingsteadilymoreprobable，Lincoln，afterthemanneroftheprophets，wrestledalonewiththeproblemswhichhesawbeforehim。Fromthelittleweknowofhisinwardstate，itishardforustoconcludethathewashappy。Astorywhichistoldbyhisformerpartner，Mr。

Herndon，seemssignificant。AsLincolnwasleavinghisunpretentiouslaw-officeforthelasttime，heturnedtoMr。

Herndonandaskedhimnottotakedowntheiroldsign。"Letithangthereundisturbed，"saidhe。"GiveourclientstounderstandthattheelectionofaPresidentmakesnodifferenceinthefirm……IfIlive，I"mcomingbacksometime，andthenwe"llgorightonpractisinglawasifnothinghadhappened。"

Howfarremovedfromself-sufficiencywasthemanwhosethoughts，ontheeveofhiselevationtothePresidency，lingeredinaprovinciallawoffice，fondlyinsistentthatonlydeathshouldpreventhisreturningsometimeandresuminginthosehomelysurroundingsthelifehehadledprevioustohisgreatness。Inamoodofwistfulnessandofintensepreoccupation，hebeganhisjourneytoWashington。Itwasnotthemoodfromwhichtostrikefireandkindlehope。Totheanxious，listeningcountryhisspeechesonthejourneytoWashingtonweredisappointing。

Perhapshisstrangelysensitivemindfelttoopowerfullythefatefulnessofthemomentandreactedwithasortoflightnessthatdidnotreallyrepresenttherealman。Bethatasitmay，hewasneverlessconvincingthanatthattime。Norwerepeopleimpressedbyhisbearing。Oftenheappearedawkward，toomuchinappearancethecountrylawyer。Heactedasamanwhowasillateaseandhespokeasamanwhohadnothingtosay。GloomdarkenedtheNorthasaconsequenceoftheseunfortunatespeeches，fortheyexpressedanoptimismwhichwecannotbelievehereallyfelt，andwhichhurthimintheestimationofthecountry。"Thereisnocrisisbutanartificialone，"wasoneofhisill-timedassurances，andanother，"Thereisnothinggoingwrong……Thereisnothingthatreallyhurtsanyone。"Ofhissupporterssomewerediscouraged；otherswereexasperated；andanablebutangrypartisanevenwentsofarastowriteinaprivateletter，"LincolnisaSimpleSusan。"

ThefourthofMarcharrived，andwithittheendofLincoln"sblundering。OnegoodomenforthesuccessofthenewAdministrationwasthepresenceofDouglasontheinauguralplatform。Hehadacceptedfate，deeplyasitwoundedhim，andhadcomeoutoftheshatteredpartyofevasiononthesideofhissection。Forthepurposeofshowinghissupportoftheadministrationatthiscriticaltime，hehadtakenaplaceonthestandwhereLincolnwastospeak。Byoneofthosecuriouslittledramatictoucheswithwhichchancelovestoembroiderhistory，thepresenceofDouglasbecameagraciousdetailinthememoryoftheday。Lincoln，wornandawkward，continuedtoholdhishatinhishand。Douglas，withthetactbornofsocialexperience，steppedforwardandtookitfromhimwithout——exposingLincoln"sembarrassment。

TheinauguraladdresswhichLincolnnowpronouncedhadlittlesimilaritytothoseunfortunateutteranceswhichhehadmadeonthejourneytoWashington。Thecloudthathadbeenoverhim，whateveritwas，hadlifted。Lincolnwasreadyforhisgreatlabor。Theinauguralcontainedthreemainpropositions。LincolnpledgedhimselfnottointerferedirectlyorindirectlywithslaveryintheStateswhereitthenexisted；hepromisedtosupporttheenforcementofthefugitiveslavelaw；andhedeclaredhewouldmaintaintheUnion。"NoState，"saidhe，"uponitsownmeremotioncanlawfullygetoutoftheUnion……TotheextentofmyabilityIshalltakecare，astheConstitutionitselfexpresslyenjoinsuponme，thatthelawsoftheUnionbefaithfullyexecutedinalltheStates……Indoingthis，thereneedbenobloodshedorviolence；andthereshallbenone，unlessitbeforceduponthenationalauthority。Thepowerconfidedtomewillbeusedtohold，occupy，andpossessthepropertyandplacesbelongingtothegovernment。"AddressingtheSoutherners，hesaid:"Inyourhands，mydissatisfiedfellow-countrymen，andnotinmine，isthemomentousissueofcivilwar。TheGovernmentwillnotassailyou……Wearenotenemiesbutfriends……Themysticcordsofmemory，stretchingfromeverybattlefieldandpatriotgravetoeverylivingheartandhearthstone，alloverthisbroadland，willyetswellthechorusoftheUnion，whenagaintouched，assurelytheywillbe，bythebetterangelsofournature。"

Gentle，aswasthephrasingoftheinaugural，itwasperfectlyfirm，anditoutlinedapolicywhichtheSouthwouldnotaccept，andwhich，intheopinionoftheSouthernleaders，broughtthemastepnearerwar。WallStreetheldthesamebelief，andasaconsequencethepriceofstocksfell。

CHAPTERVI。WAR

Onthedayfollowingtheinauguration，commissionersofthenewlyformedConfederacyappearedatWashingtonandappliedtotheSecretaryofStateforrecognitionasenvoysofaforeignpower。

Sewardrefusedthemsuchrecognition。Butheenteredintoaprivatenegotiationwiththemwhichisnearly，ifnotquite，thestrangestthinginourhistory。Virtually，SewardintriguedagainstLincolnforcontroloftheAdministration。Theeventsofthenextfiveweekshaveanimportanceoutofallproportiontothebrevityofthetime。ThiswasLincoln"speriodoffinalprobation。Thepsychologicalintensityofthisepisodegrewfromtheconsciousnessineverymindthatnow，irretrievably，destinywastobedetermined。Warorpeace，happinessoradversity，onenationortwo——allthesewereinthebalance。Lincolnenteredtheepisodeadoubtfulquantity，notwithcertaintythemastereveninhisownCabinet。Heemergeddominatingthesituation，butcommittedtotheterriblecourseofwar。

Onecannotenteruponthisgreatepisode，trulytheturningpointinAmericanhistory，withoutpausingforaglanceatthecharacterofSeward。Thesubjectiselusive。Hisablestbiographer*plainlyissoconstantlyonguardnottoappearanapologistthatheendsbyreducinghisportraittoamereoutline，waveringacrossabackgroundofpoliticaldetails。ThemostrecentstudyofSeward**surelyrevealsbetweenthelinesthedoubtfulnessoftheauthoraboutpushinghispointshome。Thedifferentsidesofthemanarehardtoreconcile。Nowheseemedfrankandhonest；againsubtleandinsincere。Asanactivepoliticianinthenarrowsense，heshouldhavebeensagaciousandastute，yethedisplayedatthecrisisofhislifethemostabsolutefatuity。Attimeshehadabuoyantandpuerilewayofdisregardingfactandenvelopinghimselfinaworldofhisownimagining。Hecouldbluster，whenhewished，likeanydemagogue；

andyethecouldbepersuasive，agreeable，andevenpersonallycharming。

*FredericBancroft，"LifeofWilliamH。Seward"。

**GamalielBradford，"UnionPortraits"。

ButofonethingwithregardtoSeward，inthefirstweekofMarch，1861，therecanbenodoubt:hethoughthimselfagreatstatesman——andhethoughtLincoln"aSimpleSusan。"Heconceivedhisroleinthenewadministrationtoinvolveasubtleandpatientmanipulationofhischildlikesuperior。ThatLincolnwouldgraduallyyieldtohisspellandinsensiblybecomehisfigurehead；thathe，Seward，couldsavethecountryandwouldgodowntohistoryastatesmanabovecompare，hetookforgranted。

Norcanhefairlybecalledconceited，either；thatispartofhissingularity。

Lincoln"sCabinetwas，asSewardsaid，acompoundbody。Withaviewtostrengtheninghisposition，LincolnhadappointedtocabinetpositionsallhisformerrivalsfortheRepublicannomination。BesidesSeward，therewasChaseasSecretaryoftheTreasury；SimonCameronofPennsylvaniaasSecretaryofWar；

EdwardBatesofMissouriasAttorney-General。TheappointmentofMontgomeryBlairofMarylandasPostmaster-GeneralwasintendedtoplacatetheborderSlaveStates。ThesamemotivedictatedthelaterinclusionofJamesSpeedofKentuckyintheCabinet。TheBlack-StantonwingoftheDemocratswasrepresentedintheNavyDepartmentbyGideonWelles，andincourseoftimeintheWarDepartmentalso，whenCameronresignedandStantonsucceededhim。

TheWestofthatdaywasrepresentedbyCalebB。SmithofIndiana。