The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-11-06
THE FIRST CONFEDERATE SEALS.
They Were Made in Philadelphia Month
Before IlIe Fall of Sumter.
From the Philadelphia Press

From the Philadelphia Press
Here is fact which the Music Clio
has entered as all item in the great
journal of universal history:
| March y, 1861, John Forsyth and
| Martin J. Crawford formally requested
Secretary Seward to appoint as early
a day as possible, on which day they
insight present to the President Of the
Uniten States the credentials which
they bore as commissioners duly ac-
credited by the Government OF the
Confederate States of America, to which
request Secretary Seward, with Presi-
dent Lincoln's approval, three days
later, replied that he saw in recent
events and the condition of political
affairs in the South not a rightfui and
| accomplished revolution and all lnde-
pendent nation, with an established
government, but rather perverslon OF
temporary and partisan excitement.
And here is fact, unpublished hith-
erto, which a Philadelphia die-sinker,
p. H. Jacobus, 80 South Sd street, en-
tered in his journal:
March s, 1861, filled an order for two
seals inscribed, Confederate States OF
America, department of war; The
order was sent by Joel White, booksel-
ler, Montgomery, Ala, to the Lippin-
colt Company, and by Thomas ".
Hartley, of that company, transferred
to me.n
These seals were used in all official
documents of the Confederacy until
the seat of government was removed to
Richmond.
Now let US add two other facts, with
their respective dates:
At 4:20 a. NJ, April u, 1861, the roar
of mortar from Sullivan's Island
quickly followed by the rushing shrek
of shell, gave notice to the world that
the era of compromise, diplomacy and
misapprehension was ended; and on
Sunday afternoon, April IA, with colors
flying and drums beating, bringing
away his company and private property
and saluting his flag with fifty guns,
Major Robt Anderson marched out OF
Fort Sumter.
Looking back few months to learn
how Philadelphians felt before the cri-
sis actually arrived, we find that on
December 10, 1863, Major Alexander
Henry issued a proclamation by the
advice of councils of the city, summon
ing the whole people thereof to assem-
ble on the 18th in Independence square.
The result was the most imposing OF
all meetings which were held to discuss
measures for placating the deeply Of
Tended South. In his address Major
Henry said: "The misplaced teachings
of the pulpit, the unwise rhapsodies OF
the lecture room, the exciting appeals
of the press, on the subject of slavery
must be frowned down by a just and
law-abiding people. Thus, and thus
only, may YOU hope to avoid sectional
discord, agitation, and anlmosity."
The Hon Joseph r. Ingersoll followed
saying: "It is force to suppose that
this country will he divided" Charles
E. Lex said: LET US discountenance
any denunciation of slavery, or ofthtse
who maintain that institution. Theo'
dore Cuyler said: "Let us receive oul
brother of the South, if be will come
among US for little time, attended by
his servant, and permit him thus tt
come. We are bound by a sacred COM
pact not to interfere or meddle with the
institution of slavery as it exists in
many Of our sister States" The spirit
of this great meeting was embodied IN
resolutions of the most conciliatory
friendly and apologetic tone.
In these four concise statements oi
fact-in the few words which have
been devoted to the Confederate COM
missioners, the Confederate seals, the
fall OF Sumter, and the mass meeting
in Independence square-lies the sub
stance of a whole chapter of history.
There is no more interesting chapter in
the history of the civil war than that
which deals with the sentiment which
prevailed in the Northern States imme-
diately before the outbreak Of hostilities.
Ask Mr.. Jacobus if he thought at the
time that there was anything strange
in receiving an order for seals to be
used by the "Confederate States OF
America and he will reply simply
ooh, no. l had other orders from
Southern firms, and filled this among
the rest
Ask representative Of the J. B.
Lippincott Company, whose memory
goes back to that day, if this comm ;ssion
excited surprise, and be will answer;
"If We should get All order for seals fol
the "independent County Of Cheste~,
or the Confederate States of Delaware
and Maryland,' We should fill it, pay
meat being guaranteed. That's the
way we felt about the order from oul
correspondent in Montgomery"
The Time to Marry.