The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-10-04
uNWRIrrEN WAR HISTORY.

twcr, freedom and slavery to sustain aggressive
measures for the preservation Of the union.-
State after State had seeded ana no "chohs'ra-
ton had been made at the North TO counteract
the f,. ce of such movements ut the South. On
the conLrary, there were public men VINO open
ly advocated q division Of the Union into such
parts as would suit geographical lines and their
own interests and ambition. Notably, Nr.
Hendricks favored u Northwestern Confederacy;
some sew Workers saw in the confusion of the
time, an opportunity to make their city the
Venice of America, and some Californians
thought republic on the Paclhc, with oah
Francisco for its commercial auG political cap
ital, would develop into mighty proportions be'
fore he end of the century Horace Hreeiey
had alvocatcd in the Tribune peaceable separa-
tiou and boldly proclaimed ''l.et the crring
sistcrs ro in peace" The Indianapolis JourndI
in tho West, inspired by an ambition to take n
position" occupied the same ground. The
Northern States sent peace commissioners 10
Washington to plead with the South for peacea-
BILE = uIion Of the difficulties and maintenance
of the Union. The government under Mr. Bu-
chan a did nothing to rcpress the military pre-
parauons in the South, and when Nh. Lincoln
Wm sad dfRiSEsS Ras
tratio., had most formidable opposition in the
two remaining States that seeded, and i'll those
also That attempted to do So His support ut
the North in the event of war, he regard ID as
uncertain, and anarchy appeared inevitable
In his condition Of affairs commissioners ap-
pointed by Governor Pickcns, OF South Carolina,
appeared the scene, and through Judge
Campbell, then late Of the Supreme Court, who
had resigned on the secession of Louisiana,
comnepccl u negotiation for the surrender TO
that sfate of the government forts and property
within its limits. Tho commissioners were al
so ai,'cl by Doctor Todd, of Kentucky, q broth
CIR oi Mrs. Lincoln, who was in harmony with
the viows and actions of South Carolinans.
lie was n temporary habitant at the White
.,,r, Hon, nfn
way that no ono could have obtained in an OH
cial capacity, aud which was made use OF as
time md circumstances required.
The negotiations of South Carolina with the
government failed. not because of an indisposi.
ton 10 entertain tho prep9siti9n saPpaitte;ts Sut
OH account of the precipHt<fEAoetfO}t OF SsaefS
Carolina troops i'm ombarding Forf Sumter
This made peaccable dissolution of the Union
u matter of impossibility and war All inevitable
necessity.
While these negotiations were pending, how
ever, n proclamation had been prepared recogni-
znG the fact fthe secession of certain States and
virtually acknowledging their independence,
surrenderiug To them stated powers Of the gen
sral government ever property and places with
in their limits, and guaranteeing them peaceable
possession Of the same on conditions specified.
This proclamation had the sanction of Mr.. Wade.
Of Ohio, and was in accordance with Mr. Gree
lcys frequently expressed views. With the ap-
pearancc Of the proclamation was to be IN edi-
toral in the Washington and New York papers
sustaining the action of the administration
This was also prepared and held ready for use
when the occasion demanded it. But the action at
Fort Sumter changed oil this, and proclama-
ton was issued instead for 75, 900 men for three
gseeptsdby' m dYrIiShGs apa tbtts peU
pie.
The proclamation calling for troops is mat
ter of history that previously prepared looking
to peace is not, and its existence must he proved
from other sources than official records. The
evidence gu which it rests is the following state
meat:
Mr.. A. Il. Cavis, proof-reader at the govern
ment printing Office, is gentleman of intclli-
gencc and culture, and of undouItcd vcraciiy.
He is native of Pennsylvania, but went to
South Carolina in lS47, and remained until af-
ter the war. Previous to, and daring the war,
he was editor of the South Carolina Guardian,
published ut Columbia. His position gave him
acquaintance and association with tho State au-
thoriiies, and he speaks from personal knowl-
The proclamation @ Iosos&rhes esfSSHiR fS psSSs!s stated
alton Of the States was obtained by DR.. Todd
while at the White House, and by him given to
quirc INTO that NOW. e rfasVis, ~
nal draft of the proclamation, that it and the
editorial designed TO accompany its publication
were written on official paper bearing the i'm
press Executive Mansion" is undoubtedly
true The proclamation and editorial were
shown by Gov. Pickens to Mr. Cavis and by the
latter published in his paper, the South Caroli-
na Guardian. In the burning of Columbia by
Shermuns troops the Office and files of the
Guardian were destroyed, and there is no copy
of the paper extant containing these documents.
The original papers, however, are in the posses
sion of Mrs. Pickens, at Edgeheld, $, c., who
has scarefully preserved all the books and man
uscrips collected by her late husband.
This is y most important and interesting fact
connected with the unwrittcn history of the re
beon 1t shows how difficult it even for
the most sagacious men to ''real the signs of the
times and the events following proved that the
people knew more than their rulers and as
sumed leaders.
NOVEL PRoroslTIoN FROM GOVERNOR HAM'ff-
ToS.-A Washington dispatch states that the
Government has received two propositions from
Governor Wade Hampton to collect whatever
tax tho United States may claim should DO paid
by South Carolina and turn it over to the Gene
raj Government This curious offer arose in
the course of the movement Of the commissioner
Of internal revenue against Illicit distillers III
South Carolina. These gave Governor Hampton
much annoyance, and finally he sent word that
fertile purpose of avoiding all such troubles as
thosefhen pending. he would agree, if the Gov
ernment was willing, 10 hold himself response
Bile for whatever sum it might decide should bc
paid by South Carolina on account Of internal
reyenue and collect it and pay it over.