The daily gazette., 1878-09-24
Unwrirten War History,
A Proclamation ON Which the
Eatef9fthe Nation Depended.

THE DOCUMENT THAT MR.. LINCOLN PRE- |
PARED ACKNOWLEDGING THE INDE- |
PENDEECE OF THE SoUTH-wHY |
ANOTHER WAS SUBSTITUTED. i
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.-In the dark |
and uncertain days preceding the sout- |
break of the rebellion there was much |
doubt In the mind of Mr.. Lincoln regard |
Ing the disposition of the people north OF
the recognized divididing line between
freedom and slavery to sustain aggres-
sive measures for the preservation Of the
Union. State after State had seceded,
and no demonstration had been made at
the North to counteract the force of such
movement at the South. On the con-
trary, there were public men who openly
advocated division of the Union into
such parts as would suit geographical
lines, and their own interest and ambi-
ton. Notably, Mr.. Hendricks favored
Northwestern Confederacy; some New
Workers saw in the confusion of the times
an opportunity to make their city the
Venice of America. and some Califor-
niaDs Thought republic on the Pacific,
with San Francisco for is commercial and
political capi a, woul1 develop into
mighty proportions b sfore the end of this
century Horace Greeley had advocated in
the Tribune peaceable separation, and
boldly proclaimed: 'Let the erring sis
ters go, in peace" The indianapolis
Journal in the West, inspired by an am
biton to "take position" occupied the
| same ground. The Northern States sent
Peace Commissioners to Washington to
plead with the South for Peaceable Sc
| luton OF the difficulties and a mainten-
| ance of the Union. The vernment
under Mr. Buchanan did nothing to re-
press the military preparations making
in the South, and when Mr.. Lincoln was
| inaugurated there were nine States defy
ing his authority and ready for war. His
| Administration had most formid able
| opposition in the two remaining States
that seeded, and in those also that at
tempted to do so. His support at the
North, in the event of war, he regarded
as uncertain, and anarchy appeared in
| evitable:
| In this condition of affairs commission
ers appointed by Gov. Pickens of South
i Carolina appeared ON the scene, and
Supreme Court, who had resigned on the
secession of Louisiana, commenced a
negotiation for the surrender to that
l State of the Government forts and pro-
perty within its limits. The Commission
ers were also aided by DR.. Todd of Ken
lucky, brother of Mrs Lincoln, who
WIS in harmony with the views and ac-
tious Of the South Carolinians. He was a
Temporary habitant at the White House,
way that no one could have obtained in
an official capacity, and which was made
use of as time and circumstances requir-
ed.
The negotiations of South Carolina
with the Government failed, not because
of an indispo sition to entertain the pro-
prosition submitted, but on account of
the precipitate acnon OF South Carolina
troops in bombardinR Fort Sumter. This
made q peaceable dissolution of the I'm
ion a matter of impossibility and war an
inevitable necessity.
While these negotiations were pend
ing however, proclamation had been
prepared recognizing the fact of the seces.
sion of certain States and virtually ac
knowledging their Independence, sur.
rendering to them stated powers of the
general Government over property and
place within their limits, and guarantee.
ing them peaceable possession of the
same on condition specified. This procla-
nation had the sanction of Mr.. Wade oil
Ohio, and was in accordance with Mr.
Greeley's frequently expressed view.
With appearance of the proclamation
was to be an editorial in the Warrington
and New York papers sustaining the &C
| ton of the Administration. This was also
prepared nd held ready for use when
the occasion demanded it. But the action
at Fort Sumter changed all this and a
proclamation was issued instead for 70,
900 men for three months to suppress
rebellion; and war was thus accepted by
an unwilling Government and people.
The proclamation calling for troops is a
matter of history; that previously prepar-
ed looking to peace,is not, and its exist.
ence must be proved from other sources
than official records. The evidence OIL
which it rests in the following statement
A. T. Cavis, proofreader at the Gov
ernment Printing Office, is a gentleman
of intelligence and culture, and of un
doubted veracity. He is a native Of
Pennsylvania, but went to South Caro-
, lima in 1c7, and renamed until after tn,
war. Previously to, and during the war
he was editor of the South Carolina Guar
dian, published at Columbia. His posi-
ton gave him acquaintance and associa,
ton with the State authorities, and h,
| speaks from personal knowledge regard
!, ing the matters herein stated.
, The proclamation looking to peace
able separation of the States wes obtain
ed by DIR. Todd while at the White
House, and by him given to GOV. Pick
ems. 1t is not known now how he came
in possession OF it, and it is not necessa
ry to inquire into that now. But that Ia
had the original draft of the proclama
ton, that it and the editorial designed t.
, accompany its publication were writer
ION official paper bearing the impress
"Executive Mansion," is undoubtedl,
true. The proclamation and edltoria
were shown by Gov. PlckenS to MI
Cavis, and by the latter published in his
paper the South Carolina Guardian. IL
the burning of Columbia by Shermant
Etroops the Office and files of the GudrdiaI
| were destroyed, and there is no copy 0
the paper extant containing the docu
ments. The original papers, however
are in the possession OF Mrs. Pickens a
Edgefeld, S. c., who has carefully pre-
r served all the books and manus cripts col
lected by her late husband.
5 This is a most important and interest
, | ing fact connected with the unwritteI
history of the rebellion. 1t shows hoy
difficult it was even for the most saga
cious men to "read the signs of tn
tim s." and events following proved tha
the people knew more than their ruler
\ nd laalars