The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-23
UNWRl.TTEN WAR HISTORY.
A PROCLdMITION on WHICH TIE FATE
OF THE NiIION DEPENDED.


Acknowledges the Independence of the
south - why Another was Substituted.
WAsHrNGrON, Sept 22.--In the dark and
uncertain days preceding tho outbreak Of the
rebellion there WIS much doubt in the mind OF
MIR. Lincoln regarding the disposition OF the
people north of the recognized dividing
line between freedom aud slavery to sus-
tain aggressive measures for the preser-
vaton OF the Union. State after State
had seeded and no demonstration had
been made ut the North TO counterart the force
Of such movements at the South. On the con-
trary. there were public men who openly advo-
Gated a division Of the Union into such parts as
would suit geographical lines and their own in
terests and ambition. Notably. Mr. Hendricks
favored Northwestern Confederacy; somo
Now Workers saw in the confusion OF the times
an opportunity to make their city the Venice
of America. nnd some Californions thought
a republic on the Pacific. with San Francisco
for its commercial and political capital. would
develop into mighty proportions before the end
OF the century. Horace Greeley had advocated
In the Tribune penconbe separation. and boldly
proclaimed. Let the rrrlng sisters 20 III
peace." Tho indianapolis Journal In the West,
inspired by an ambition 10 take position.
occupied the same ground. Inc Northern
States sent Peace Commissio ioners TO Washing
ton To plead with the south for peacenhle 50;
luton of the difficulties and maintenanceot OF
the Union; The Government under Mr.
Buchanan did nothing 70 repress the military
preparations making in tue south. ana when
Mr.. Lincoln was inaugurated there We're nine
States deiying his authority. and ready for war.
His Administration hdd most formidable op-
position in the two remaining States that Sc
coded. and in those also that attempted to do 50.
His support nj the North, In the event OF war.
lie regarded as uncertain. and anarchy ap-
In this condition Of affairs commissioners ap-
pointed by Gov. Pickens oi South garonn APP
pcared on the scene and through Judge Camp
| bell. then late OF the Supreme Court. who had
resigned on the secession Of Louisiana. com:
mcnced negotiation for the surrender to that
| state of the Goyernment forts and property
| within its limits. Tho Commiss ioners were also
| aidrd by DR.. Todd OF Kentucky. n brother OF
Mrs. Lincoln. who was il harmony with tho
views and actions OF the South CarOlinians. He
| was temporary habtnnt at the White House.
| and acquired information in private way that
| no one could have obtane in an official capac-
| ity. and which was made use OF Us time and cir
| cumstance required
Tho negotiations Of South Carolina with the
| Government failed. not because OF an indispo-
| sition to entertain the proposition submlurd
| hut on account Of the preripiaie action Ot south
| Carolina troops in lombard ng Fort sumter.
| This made peareahle dissolution OF the Union
| matter OF impossbility ana war an inevitable
| While these negotiations werc pending how
| ever. a pr. .lamntion had been prepared rrcog-
n2lng the TACT OF the se'ess ion of certain States
| and virtually acknowledging their indepen.
| dsnce surrendering to them stated powers OF
| the general Government over property and
| places within their limits. and guaranteeing
| them pcac,ahlc possession Of the same on con-
| dtions specn Il. This proclamation had the
| corlnnce VITA Mr. Grcrlcy's frequently ey-
pressed views. With the appearance OF tho
Washington and New York papers sustaining
| the acdon Of the Administration. This was
| also prepared and held repdy for use wnen the
OCCASION demanded il. But the action at Fort
| sumter changed all this. and proclamation
was issued instead Tor 5000 men Tor three
| months 20 suppress rebellion and war was
thus accepted Dy An unwilling Government and
people.
ter OF history that previously prepared looking
| u peace Is not. and It's existence must be proved
| from other sources than Official records The
evidence on which II rests is the following state
Mi A. r. Cavis. n proofreader at the Govern
| ment Printing once. Is "a gentleman OF lntelli-
/ grnce and culture. and of undoubt"d veracity.
He is a native OF lgnnsTivanla. but went t.
South Carolina m lSi7 ami remained until
after the war. Previous 10. Rnd during the war.
he WAS editor OF ths .>OWl CdrOhnq Guardian.
| nNuainiancr ana as-o'ation with III" state au-
| thorti-s. nri Dee spenk- from personal knowl-
edec regarding th' matters herein stated
| The proclamation looking 10 peaceHble sep
arailon %. th- States WIS ob;idned by Or. Told
while. e.at tnc White House, and by him given u
| Gov. pirkrns Il Is not known now he came
in POSSESS on OF IT, AMI u Is not necessary TO in
| quir. into that now. But Tat H. had the orig
| lnll draft of the urociamaiion. that il aud the
! editorial dos gned 10 accompany its publication
| We're written on onl .al paper bearing the im-
press Executive Mans on. IL undoubtedly
| true. Iur procl1mat on and editorial were
shown hy GOV. f.rRru- to Mr. CavIs. md hv the
hitter publisl he'd in mis- paper the SJ'N Carolina
Gttdrdd. In thc burning OF Co.umtia by
Sh-ruan's troops the ofi'a and flies of IN.
| Guardian We're destroyed. ana there il no copy
OF the lapor cNtnnt containing these docu-
ments. The orlgiuu papers. however. are in
the posscssion Of Mrs. Plckeus at Eigenoli.
3. C., VINO mas ,arefully preserved ail he books
an mguus Rips collected hy her lat" husband.
| THIS II 6 most IWport1n and interesting IA I
| connected with the uuwrlitnn history of the re-
b.lllun. Il shows how am ult II was even f1r
the times and me events following proved
that the people kn"w more than their rulers
as a NJ llfrlsa. land