Weekly Trinity journal., 1878-11-02
UNWRITTEN WAR HISTORY.
A Proclamation ora which the Fate
of the Nation Depended.

Netioh VI tne Union. otaIe hfter state
had seeded, and no demonstration had
been made az the North to counteract the
force Of such movement at tho South
On the contrary, there were public men
who openly advocated a division OF the
Union in to such parts as would suit geo
graphical lines and their own interests
and ambition. Notably, Mr.. Hendricks
favored Northwestern Confedercy; some
New Workers saw in the confusion of the
times an opportunity 10 make their city
the Venice Of Americs, a, and some Cali
fornians thoughta a republic on the Pac-
fc, with San Francisco for its commercial
and political capital, would develop into
mighty proportions before the end of the
century. Horace Greedy had advocated
in the Tribune peaceful separation, and
boldly proclaimed: "Let TIE 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
! W
plead with the South for peaceable so
luton of the difficulties and mainten-
ance OF the Union. The Government
under Mr. Buchanan, did nothing to re-
press the military preparations in the
South, and when Mr.. Lincoln was inaugu-
rated, there were nine States defying his
authority, and ready for war. His Ad
mnistration had a most formidable OPP
position in the two remaining States that
seeded, and IN those also that attempted
to 40 SO. His support at the North, in
the event Of war, he regarded as uncer-
tain, and anarchy appeared inevitable.
In this condition of affairs Commis-
sioners appointed by Governor Pickens,
of South Carolina, appeared on the
scene, and through Judge Campbell, then
late of the Supreme Court, who had re-
signed on the secession Of Louisiana, com
menced negotiations for the surrender
to that State Of the Government forts and
property within its limits. The Com
missioners were also aided by DR.. Todd,
Of kentucky, brother ot Mrs. Lincoln,
who was in harmony with the views and
actions Of the South Carolnans. He
was temporary habitant Of the White
House, and acquired information in
private way that no one could have OBJ
tanned in an official capacity, and which
was made use Of as time and ciTcum-
stances required.
The negotiations Of South Carolina
with the Government failed, not because
of an indispositen to entertain the pro-
position submitted but on account Of Il e
precpi.ate action Of South Carolina
troops ia bombarding Fort Sumter. This
made peaceful dissolution of the Union
a matter of impossibility and war an in
evitable necessity.
lille these negotiations we're pend
ing, however, a proclamation had been
prepared recognizing the fact Of tbs So
cession OF certain States and virtually
acknow lodging their independence, snr-
rendering to them stated powers Of the
General Government ever property and
places within their limits, and guaran
teeing them peaceable possessions Of the
same on conditions specified. This pro-
clamation had the sanction of Mr.. Wade
of Ohio, and was in accordance with Mr..
G7eeleys frequently expressed views.
With the appearance Of the proclamation
was to be an editorial in the Washing
ton and New YORK papers surtainng 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 all
this, and a proclamation was issued, in
stead, for 75 600 men for three months to
suppress rebellion; ard war WAS thus ac-
cepted by an unwilling Government and
people.
The proclamation calling for troop. is
a matter ef history; that previously pre-
pared locking TO peace is not, and It's ex-
istence must be proved from other sourc-
es than official records. Tie evidence on
which it rests is the following statement:
Mr.. A. Il. Cavis, a proof reader at the
Government Printing Office, is gentle
man of intelligence and culture, and of
undoubted voracity. He is native of
Pennsylvania, but went to Ssuth Care
lima in 1847, and remained until after tho
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
socation with the State authorities and
he speaks from personal knowledge re
garding the matter herein stated.
The procama tion looking to peace
able separation of the States was obtain
ed 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 proclamation,
that it and the editorial designed 20 ac-
company its publication were written on
official paper bearing the impress "Exs-
cutive Manslon," is undoubtedly true
The proclamation and editorial were
shown by Governor Piekens to Mr.. Cav
is, and by the latter published in his pa
psr, The South Carolina Guardian. In
the burning of Columbia by She'msns
troops the Office and the files ofthe Guard
ian were destroyed, and there is no copy
of the paper extant containing these docu-
mehts. The original papers, however,
are in the possessions of Mrs. Pickens at
Edfeld, South Carolina, whe has careful
ly preserved all the books and manu-