The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-03
UNwRITTEN WAR HISTORY.
A PROCLAIM lion on which the Fate OF tho
Nation Depended.
WAsuINC RON. Sentemher 90

WASHINGTON, September 20.
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 counteract 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 IA 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 op-
por:unity to make their city the Venice
of America, and some Calif0rnians
thought 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, and
boldly proclaimed: "Let the erring sis.
ters go in peace" The indianapolis
Journal in the West, inspired by an am
bition to "take position" occupied the
same ground. The Northern States sent
Peace Commissioners to Washington to
plead with the South for peaceable 80.
luton of the difficulties and mainten.
auce Of the Union. The Government
under Mr.. Buchanan did nothing to re-
preea 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 formida-
BILE opposition in the two remaining
States that seeded, and in those also
that attempted TO do so. His support at
the North, in the event Of war, he regar-
ded as uncertain, and anarchy appeared
inevitable.
In this condition CT affairs Commits
sioners appointed by Gov. Pickens, of
South Carolina, appeared on tho 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, q brother of Mrs. Lincoln,
who was in harmony with the views aud
actions of the South Carolinians. He
was temporary hahitant at the White
House, and acquired information in q
private way that no one could have ob-
tained in All official capacity, and which
| was made use of as time and circum-
| atances required.
The negotiations of South Carolina
with the Government failed, not because
| of an indispositi0n to entertain the pre-
| position submitted, but on account of the
precipitate ection of South Carolina
troops in BON oarding Fort Sumter. This
made o peaceable dissolution of the
Union matter of impossibility and wal
an inevitable necessity.
| While these negotiations were pending
however, O proclamation had been pre-
pared recognizing the fact of the seces
sion Of certain States aud virtually &C
knowledging their independence, sur
rendering to them stated powers of tn,
General Government over property ant
places within their limits, and 3uaran
teeing them peaceable possession of tn,
SAME cn conditions specified. This proc
lamation had the sanction of Mr.. Wade
of Ohio, and was in accordance with Mr.
Gree!ey's frequently expressed views
| With the appearance ef the froclama
tion was to be en- 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.
! stend 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 ia not, spd its ex-
istence must be proved from ott er sour
ces than official records. The evidence
on which it rests is the following state
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 q native OF
Pennsylvania, but went to South Caroli-
IA in l847, aud remained until after the
war. Previous tn, and during the war,
he was editor Of the South Carolina Guar
dian, published at Columbia. His posi-
tion gave him acquaintance and associa-
ton with the State authorities, and he
speaks from personal knowledge regard
iag the matters herein stated.
The proclamation looking to o peacea-
BILE separation of the States was obtained
by DR.. Todd whilo at the White House,
and ~ him given to Governor Pickens.
1t is not known how he came in posses
sion of it, and it is not necessary to in
quire into that now. But that he had
the original draft Of the proclamation,
that 1t and the editorial designed to ac-
company its publication were written on
official paper bearing the impress Exec
utive Mansion" Is undoubtedly true.
The proclamation and editorial were
shown by Gov. Pickens to Mr.. Cavis,
aud by the latter published in his paper,
the South Carolina Guardian. In the
burning of Columbia by Sherman's troops
the Office and files OF the Guardian were
destroyed, and there is no copy Of the
paper extant containing these Documents.
The original papers, however, arc in the
possession of Mrs. Pickens, at Edgefield,
s. O., who has carefully preserved all the
books and manuscripts collected by her
late husband.
This is most important and interest
ing fact connected with the unwrittep
i history OF the rebellion. 1t shows how
difficult it WAS even for the most saga
cious men to tread the signs Of the
| times" and the events following proved
that the people knew more than their
| rulers and assumed leaders.
BARTON.
- When man enters the post Of