Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1901-03-07

man of the people. Their cutlery and
their rising up in his behalf made
him the supreme ruler of the nation.
He was opposed in the convention
that nominated him by the machine
and the ring, and everything that
goes to make up the caucus and the
convention. Mr.. Seward, one of the
brightest men that this country ever
produced it is true, was the candidate
of the ring and the machine and the
caucus. The people beat him out and
placed Mr.. Lincoln in the chair of
state. The people, against and above
and over the caucus and convention
Mr.. Lincoln. creature of the people,
man Of the pople, man timid in no
respect, a man strong in every way,
carried to the white house in the time
of the nations trouble by the voice of
the people! He carried there with
him as a part Of his administration, the
man who had grown as the creature
of the caucus and the convention,
William H. Seward. After he had
formed his cabinet, by making Mr.
Seward his secretary Of state, what
did Mr.. Seward do? He Immediately
began to cOnniye-I give you my
authority for it-he Immediately be-
gan to cOnnive with the emissaries
from the south to the effect that this
government would never fire a shot
toward tho
He began to instruct Gen. Scott and
those in power that Fort Sumter
should be evacuated and surrender;
that Fort Pickens should likewise
be evacuated and surrender, and
at &c last moment, under the or
ders Of Mr.. Lincoln only, sent an ey-
petition to the relief of both. only
when it was too late and only when
the enemy had gotten possession Of
those two forts. And not satisfied
with that-not satisfied with that,
this creature of the caucus and the
convention, as a doctrine to be fol-
lowed by Mr.. Lincoln in the admins
tration Of the affairs of the govern
ment, wrote this letter to him-and
their is no page Of our history darker
than that Ct read it from copy of the
1t is headed.
"Sone Thoughts for the Presidents
Consideration, April I, 1861"
He says:
First. We are at the end of a
months administration, and yet with
out policy either domestic or
foreign.
Second. This, however. is not
culpable, and it has even been I'M
avoidable. The presence of the
Senate, with the need to meet ap-
plications for patronage, have pre-
vented attention to other and more
grave matters.
Third. But further delay to adopt
and prosecute our policies for both
domestic and foreign affairs would not
ton, but danger upon the country.
Fourth. To do this we must dis
miss the applicants for office. But
how? l suggest that we make the
local appointments forthwith. leaving
foreign or general ones for Interior
and occasional action.
Fifth. The policy at home. I am
aware that my views are singular, and
perhaps not sufficiently explained.
My system is built upon this idea as a
ruling one, namely, that we must
Change the Question Before the Pub
liz Nna EIrnn
About Slavery, for a Question Upon
Union or Oisunion.
| would therefore terminate it as a
safe means for changing the issue. l
deem it fortunate that the last adj.
created the necessity.
In other words, from what would be
regarded as a party question to one
of patriotism or union.
The occupation or evacuation of
Fort Sumter, although not in fact a
slavery or a party question, is so re-
garded. Witness the temper mani
tested by republicans in the free
states, and even by the union men in
the south.
For the rest, I would simultaneously
DEFEND and reinforce all the ports III
the gulf, and have the navy recalled
from foreign stations to be prepared
for a blockade. Put the island of
Key West under martial law.
This will raise distinctly the ques-
tion of union or disunion. l would
maintain every fort and possession in
the south.
For the Foreign Nations.
I would demand explanations from
Spain and France, categorically, at
once.
l would seek explanations from
Great Britain and Russia, and send
agents into Canada, Mexico, and
Central America to rouse a vigorous
continental spirit Of independence on
this continent against European inter
vention.
And, if satisfactory explanations
are not received from Spain and
France.
Would convene congress and de-
clare war against them.
But whatever policy we adopt, there
must be an energetic prosecution of it..
For this purpose it must be some
body's business to pursue and direct
it necessarily.
Either the president must do it him
self, and be all the while active in it,
or
Deyolve it on some member of his
cabinet. Once adopted, debates on it
must end, and all agree and abide.
1t is not in my especial province;
But neither seek to evade nor as
sumo responsibility.