The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-08-05
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own war;. SSt
10 would DO hard 10 sxaegeEete che ectual
and prospective importance Of the relations
that were maintained between the Federal
Government at Washington and the State
Governments OF loyal Stat % during the
four yoars Of civil war. Tn subject has
been trSated In some detail. and With re-
suits highly creditable to the historian, by
Mr.. James Ford Rhodes: but 1t was by no
means exhausted, and we are glad, there
fore, to see 1t discussed from a somewhat
different point Of view In a volume entitled
War Government, Federal and State, IN
Mdssdchusetis, New York. Pennsylvania and
Indiana, by WILLIAM B. WEEDEN, author OF
the Economic and Social History Of New
England (Houghton, Mifiin d Coz. Mr..
weeden tells us in an introduction that long
ago he urged upon the investigators OF the
records Of the civil war that there was a
great field for the study OF government In
the interaction OF the national Union and
those State Commonwealth, which In many
aspects were really pr~incipalitiee, especially
iii ttl0 u ttuk III to NotAsfS
Southern Confederaoy. As no one else
would undertake the task, he has essayed
II himself. 1t Is true, as he says, that the
right functions of the partial powers Of the
petty sub-kingdoms exemplifed in the
States north Of the Potomac and the Ohio
were hardly perceived in 1851. 1t was
known, OF course, that the several States
we're not complete in sovereignty, any more
49, H. JTntk.l Qtokaa NonaiHaraI aa n
whole, was completely sovereign; but the
magnitude OF the attributes of sovereignty
reserved to the States was by no means
fully recognized. Declared from coming
money or levying war for themselves they
undoubtedly were; but. as events we're to
demonstrate. they could levy war for the
Union on the largest scale conceived at
that time by any people, whether governed
imperially or democratically. Those who
were busy in putting down rebellious States
seeking to form a new Confederacy forgot
the importance Of the mediatory p%rincipali-
ties at the North. Because it was con-
venient for a bureau at Washington to put
forth the national pursuance, and levy on
the whole body of loyal people, the bureau
Gratis were constantly overlooking the fact
that the process was necessarily In a state
Of CESSATION. The central power Of the
Union, destined ultimately 10 stretch its
imperial hand over every citizen, had TO be
developed slowly, As long, indeed, as all
citizens at the North were substantially in
agreement, as they were in 1851, II made
little practical difference how these powers
were exercised technically; but when Re-
publicans and Democrats at the North
resumed their old party lines, as they soon
did resume them, the materials for differ
ence Of opinion quickly became national
issues of vital importance. 1t was soon
manifest that a Misunderstanding on the
part OF citizens might become semi-trea-
sonable opposition in conducting local par
ties, and might make State Legislatures
practically hostile to the national Govern
ment.
1t is equally obvious that as the contest
advanced and thiokened the functions OF
the leaders Of these minor principalities
would b. amplihed. Tho term war Gov
ernor' grew naturally out Of the situation.
The name itself indicates that something
had been added to the office az previously
It had been known in the ordinary civic
routine OF the State. The Governors, in
deed, were detached but assimilated War
Ministers, welding the resources OF their
several subsidiary Governments, not only
In execution Of the law, but by mastering
all the powers Of their respective States
according to the needs and under the
reauisitions OF the national Government.
Our author, like all other students Of the
period, bears witness that in most instances
their energies were u~nbounded, while their
executive resource and tact were unfailing.
Their intercourse with the President and
the Federal departments, varying accord
ing to the characteristics OF each Individual,
affords unquestionably interesting ground
for Retrospective study. To depict the in
terplay Of these powerful practical men OF
affairs with the authorities at Washington
Is one Of the principal aim OF the book be-
fore us. Chief among the great personali-
ties developed in the Office Of Governor
were Morton, Andrew and Curtin, whose
services we're continuous throughout the
war. To our authors mind the contrast
between these personages and Horatio
Seymour OF New York recalls Milton's
vision Of Gabriel and Michael arrayed
against Satan and Molooh, though he adj
mits that the amiable Copperhead-so he
chooses to call Seymour-lacked the force
Of the rebellious angels.
Although the purpose Of this book Is ma
tional. the scope is limited to four States,
and those Northern. The author recog-
nizes that there would have been advan-
tages In including all Of the S~tates-South-
ern a. we'll as Northern-within the range
Of his inquiry. So much detail. on the
other hand, might have encountered the
main topic, which consists In the actual rela-
lions Of a State, as such, to the central organ
Of all the States.
In his first chapter Mr. Weeden traces
the growth Of Union sentiment through its