Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-05-16
History That Is Not History.

HlStUfy 1udt Is NVb hlctuIy'
The Century Magazine is publishing con-
nected chapters entitled "Abraham Lin
coin A history, by John G. Nicolay and
John Hay, private Secretaries to the Presl-
DENT" The writers propose to narrate the
principal political events during the admin
istration of Mr.. Lincoln; and Virginia,
with her Governor and some of her repre-
sentative citizens, serving the State and the
people in positions of highest responsibility,
are subjected to the comments OF these
writers who were in position that en-
abled them to relate occurrences with &C
curacy and fairness, but they have failed to
do 30. If the relations which Virginia sus-
tanned to the Federal Government were of
the Importance, in the eyes of these writers,
which even their brief and unfair criticism
of the manner in which the obligations
were met, then they not only do injustice
by failing to furnish full narrative OF the
occurrences as they happened, but they
also suppress the motives of the President,
and the Secretary of State, Mr.. Seward,
who inaugurated the interviews and in
vited an expression of Virginia sentiment
through those of her representative citi.
zens whom we will name, for they were
known to reflect the predominant feelings
of large majority of the people in the
crisis of public affairs then absorbing every
rejecting mind in the Commonwealth.
Not only are Virginia and the represen
tatives of her people, chosen as members o.
the Convention called in the early part Of
1861 to take counsel in view of the action
Of the Gulf States which had established q
separate government at Montgomery, Ala.
bama, placed in false attitude, bat Gov.
ernor Letcher, who was known to be in &C
cord with majority of the Convention and
the people in their desire to prevent dis
ruptiou of the Federal Government is as
sailed as plotting .border-State Governor,
his motives misrepresented, and his candol
impugned. 1t is simple supererogation to
pen one word for the purpose of defining
the clear and unequivocal position of Gov.
ernor Letcher. Born and reared with an
innate love OF truth, candor and indepen.
dence were distinguishing characteristics
of his manhood. From his entrance on the
public arena, whether as a member of Con.
gress or in the immediate service of the
State, filling it's highest positions, all his
responsibilities, both public and private,
were discharged with the strictest integrity
and free from the slightest doubt. 1t is
singular indeed that critics Of his conduct,
even from the standpoint of those now
reviewing his public career, should have
deemed it proper to refer to his administra.
tion as they have done.
Mr.. Allen B. Magruder, formerly dis.
tinguished citizen of Virginia, whose ar
dent desire and inherited patriotism were
centered in the hope that nothing should
occur that would place the Federal
Government and Virginia at variance was
at that time, and previously, residing al
Washington. He was the medium of con.
veying message from Mr.. Seward to
John Janney, President.of the Virginia
Convention, and Alex. 81. II. Stuart
Robert E. Scott, and George W. Summers
also members of that body, saying that thu
President as we'll as himself was desirou
of having an interview with them, or on
of them, in relation to the condition of thu
country, and especially as the crisis of af
fairs concerned Virginia. There were in
nuences in existence at Washington as wei
as at Richmond, urging precipitate action
the result of which all knew would be {
terrible conflict A consultation was held
and for prudential reasons it was deemed
advisable that neither of the four gentle
men named, all we'll known personally il
Washington, should respond in person
to the invitation of Mr.. Seward. They,
therefore, chose Colonel John B. Baldwin,
also member Of the Convention. who was
an able exponent of the views and feelings
and hopes of his colleagues who selected
him for the important mission, as we'll as
of the people of Virginia, who, throughout
her borders, admired, esteemed and loved
him; and of all her sons, Virginia had
none more able or more eloquent to plead
her cause. This lamented and beloved
citizen filled bis mission, and, the interview
thus briefly narrated is as it occurred, and
yet Colonel Baldwin is made to appear by
these writer's in the presence of the Presi
dent in manner as utterly unworthy of the
occasion, and of that cultured gentleman,
as it was possible for positive purpose Of
misrepresentation to accomplish its object
Following the event above referred to,
Hon. William Ballard Preston offered a
resolution in the Convention providing fol-
the appointment of Commissioners to re.
pair to Washington for consultation with
the President in reference to his purposes
and policy as they would be manifested
towards the States which had declared
themselves out of the Union. 1t was
adopted, the Convention electing the men,
bers, to-wit: Hon. William Ballard Pres
ton, Hon. Alex. H. H. Stuart, and Gen
Geo. W. Randolph, who represented as
near as could be the different shades OF
sentiment in the Convention and the State.
The Commissioners went to Washington,
were received and entertained by Mr.. Lin
coin with every consideration of respect
and, after delivering their message, re-
ceived his response, which, as enjoined by
him, was not to be the subject in detail foi
public report. After the formal interview
had ended, in which there was entire har
mony in the proceedings of the Commits
sionsrs, Mr.. Stuart for himself and with
clear appreciation of the responsibilities Of
the occasion, presented views at length fol
the consideration of the President, and as
to which there was no restrictions in refer
ence to publicity which should follow the
delivery of them. The summary manner
in which the writers in the Magazine dis
pose Of the Commissioners, and the failure
to refer to all that occurred on such an i'm
portant occasion, evidence the unfair spirit
by which they were governed, when fair
ness, fullness, and candor required them to
deal justly with history and to report it as
it was.
The members of the Commission re.
I an IL Fl