Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-09-30
UNwRITTEN WAR HISTORY.
The Document that Mr.. Lincoln Prepare
acknowledging the Independence Of tn
South Why An0fher Vas Snbsti tstted.
New York Sun,

New York Sun.
In the dark and uncertain days preceding
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 demonstra-
ton had been made at the North to counter
act the force of such movements at the
South. On the contrary, there were public
men who openly advocated a division of the
union into such parts as would suit geo
graphical lines and their own interests and
ambition. 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 Californians thought
republic on the Pacific, with San Francisco
for its commercial and political capital,
would develop into mighty proportions be-
fore the end of the century. Horace Greeley
had advocated in tue Tribune peaceable
separation, and boldly proclaimed: "Let
the erring sisters go in peace" The In
dianapolis Joauna5 III the West, inspired by
an ambition to stake position" occupied
the same ground. The Northern States
sent peace commissioners to Washington to
plead with the South for peaceable solu-
ton of the difficulties and maintenance of
the union The government under Mr..
Buchanan did nothing to repress the militia
ny preparations making in the South, and
when Mr.. Lincoln was inaugurated there
were nino States denying his authority and
ready for war. His administration had a
most formidable opposition in tho two
naming States that seeded, and III those
that attempted to do SO. His support at the
North, in the event of war, he regarded as
uncertain, and anarchy appeared inevitable
In this condition of affairs commissioners
appointed by Gov. Pickens, OF South Caro-
lima, appeared on the scene, and through
Judge Campbell, then of late theS supreme
court, who had resigned on the secession of
! Louisiana, commenced negotiation for the
surrender to that State Of the government
forts and property within its limits. The
commissioners were also aided by DIR. Todd,
of Kentucky, brother of Mrs. Lincoln, who
| was in harmony with the views and actions
of the South Carolinians. He was a tenn
porary habitant At the White House, and &C
CURED inf atsoh in private way that
one could have obtained in All official
capacity, and which was made use of as time
and circumstances required.
| The negotiations of South Carolina with
the government failed, not because OF an
| indisposition to entertain the proposition
| submitted, but on account of the precipitate
action of South Carolina troops in lombard
ing Fort Sumpter. This made a peaceable
dissolution of the union matter of i'm
| possibility and war an inevitable necessity.
While these negotiations were pending,
| however, proclamation had been prepared
recognizing the fact of the secession OF GER
tain States and virtually acknowledging
their Independence, surrending to them
stated powers of the general government
over property and places within 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..
Greeley's frequently expressed views. With
| the appearance of the proclamation was to
be an editorial in the Washington and New
York papers sustaining the action OF the ad
ministration. This was also prepared AM
held ready for use when the occasion de-
handed it. But the action at Fort Sumter
| changed all this, and proclamation was is
| sued instead for $4,000 men for three
months to suppress rebellion; and war was
thus accepted by an unwilling government
| ana people.
The proclamation calling for troops is a
matter of history: that previously prepared
looking to peace is not, and its existence
must be proved from other sources than
official records. The evidence on which it
rests is the following statement:
Mr. A. L. Cavis, proof-reader at the gov
| eminent printing Office, is gentleman of
intelligence and culture, and of undoubted
veracity. He is a native Of Pennsylvania,
but went to South Carolina in 1847, and re-
manned until after the war. Previous to and
during the war he was editor of the South
Carolina Guardian, published at Columbia.
His position gave him acquaintance and as
ISOLATION with the State authorities, and he
speaks from personal knowledge regarding
the matters herein stated.
The proclamation looking to peaceable
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 possession of it, and it is not
necessary to inquire into that now. But
that he had the original draft of the proc
lamation, that it and the editorial designed
to accompany its publication we're written on
official paper bearing the impress Executive
Mansion is undoubtedly true. The pro-
clamation and editorial were shown by Gov.