The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-03
UNWRITTEN WAR HISTORY.
A Proclamation on which the Fate Of tho
Nation Depended.
WASHINGTON, September 22.

w hSI1INu4OINJ SSpiCihoSA 800
In the dark and uncertain days preced-
ing the outbreak of the rebellion there was
much doubt in the mind Of Mr.. Lincoln
regarding the disposition of the people
north of the recognized dividing line
between freedom and slavery to sustain
aggressive measures for the preservation
Of the Union. State after State had
seeded, and no demonstration had been
made at the North to count 5act the force
of such movements at the South. On
the contrary, there were public men who
openly advocated division of the Union
into such parts as suit geographical lines
and their own interests and ambition.
Notably, Mr.. Hendricks favored North
western Confederacy some New Workers
saw in the confusion of the times an OPP
portunity to make their city the Venice
of America, and some Californians
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 peaceable separation, anu
boldly proclaimed "Let the erring sis
ters go in peace" The Indianapolis
Journal in the West, inspired by an am
bition to "take a position" occupied the
same ground. The Northern States sent
Peace Commissioners to Washington to
plead with the South for q peaceable So
luton of the difficulties and a mainten-
ance of the Union. The Government
under Mr.. Buchanan did nothing to re-
press the military preparations making
in the South, and when Mr.. Lincoln was
inaugurated there we're nine States defy
ing his authority, and ready for war.
His administration had most formida-
Bile opposition in the two remaining
States that seeded, and in those also
that attempted to do so. His support at
the North, iu the event of war, he regar-
ded as uncertain, and anarchy appeared
inevitable.
In this condition Of affairs Commits
sioners appointed ly Gov. Pickens, of
South Carolina, appeared on the scene,
and through Judge Campbell, late of the
Supreme Court, who had resigned on the
secession of Louisiana, commenced q
negotiation for the surrender to that
State of the Government forts and prop
erty within its limits. The Commits
sioners were also aided by DR.. Todd, of
Kentucky, brother of Mrs. Lincoln,
who was in harmony with the views and
actions of the South Carolinians. He
was temporary habitant at the White
House, and acquired information in =
private way that no one could have OBJ
tained in an official capacity, and which
was made use of as time and circum-
stances required.
The negotiations of South Carolina
with the Cover. ment failed, not because
of an indisposition to entertain the pro-
position submitted, but OIL account of the
precipitate action of South Carolina
troops in bombarding Fort Sumter. This
made a peaceable dissolution of the
Union matter of impossibility and war
an inevitable necessity.
While these negotiations were pending,
however, a proclamation had been pre-
pared recognizing the fact of the seces-
sion of certain States aud virtually ac-
knowledging their independence, sur
rendering to them stated powers of the
General Government over property and
places within their limits, and guaran-
teeing them peaceable possession of the
same on conditions specified. This proc
lamation had the sanction of Mr.. Wade,
of Ohio, and was in accordance with Mr..
Greeley's frequently expressed views.
With the appearance of the proclama-
tion was to be an editorial in the Wash
ington 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 of Fort Sumter changed all
this and proclamation was.issued in
stead for $4,000 men for three months to
suppress the rebellion; and war was thus
accepted by an unwilling Government
and people.
The proclamation calling for troops is
a matter of history; that previously pre-
pared looking to peace is not, and its ex-
istence must be proved from other sour
ces than official records. The evidence
on Wnlcn IL rests Is Tile iOlloWluS sLale'
ment:
Mr.. A. T. Cavis, proof.reader at the
Government Printing Office, is a gentle
man of intelligence and culture, and Of
undoubted veracity. He is native OF
Pennsylvania, but went to South Caroli-
ma in 1S47, and remained until after the
war. Previous 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 ne
speaks from personal knowledge regard
ing the matters herein stated.
The proclamation looking to peacea,,
BILE separation of the States was obtained
by DR.. Todd while at the White House,
and by him given to Governor Pickens.
1t is not known how he came in posses
CO., &c - opd n IL pot unpeSsQry t0 in