CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

True value of the Federal principle.-Historical examples.-Coleridge's prophecy.-Early Mission of the American Union.-How terminated.-The American system of Government a mixed one.-The Colonial period.-First proposition of a General Congress. Declaration of Independence.-Articles of Confederation. Their occasion and origin. Nature of the compact.-Peace-treaty of 1783.-Analysis of the nature and value of the Confederation.-How it was terminated.-The Convention of 1787.-Character of the men who composed it.-Political idolatry in America.— Parties in the Convention.-The question of Representation.-The novelty of the American Constitution the result of an accident.-State Rights.-Amendments to the Constitution.-Nature of the American Union.-Not a Consolidated nationality.-The Right of Secession.-The Union not the proclamation of a new civil polity.-Not a political revolution.-A convenience of the States, with no mission apart from the States.-The two political schools of America.-Consolidation and State Rights.--How the Slavery question was involved.-A sharp antithesis.— The Kentucky and Virginia resolutions.-Webster and Calhoun, the anti-types of Northern and Southern statesmanship.-Mr. Calhoun's doctrines.—"Nullification" a Union-saving measure.—Its ingenuity and conservatism.-Calhoun's profound statesmanship.-Injustice to his memory.-How the South has been injured by false party names.

CHAPTER II.

33

The Federal principle ultimately fatal to the Union. Other causes of disunion.—The sectional animosity. The geographical line in the Union.-How the differences between North and South produced two distinct communities instead of rival parties within one body politic.-The theory of a Political North and a Political South.— Its early recognition in the Convention of 1787.-Declaration of Madison.—Mr. Pinckney's remarks. How the same theory was involved in the Constitution.— The "Treaty" clause between North and South.-The Union not the bond of diverse States, but the rough companionship of two peoples.-Gen. Sullivan's complaint to Washington. The Slavery question, an incident of the sectional animosity.independent controversy, or a moral dispute.-Political history of Negro Slavery in the South.-How it become the subject of dispute.-The Hartford Convention. The Missouri Line, the preliminary trace of disunion.—Declaration of Thomas Jefferson. Why the North defamed "the peculiar institution" of the South. Great benefits of this institution, and its contributions to the world.-—“ Slavery,”

Not an

not the proper term for the institutions of labour in the South.-The Slavery question significant only of a contest for political power.-Differences between the Northern and Southern populations.-The anti-revolutionary period.-Traces of the modern "Yankee."-How Slavery established a peculiar civilization in the South. -Its bad and good effects summed up.-Coarseness of Northern civilization.-No landed gentry in the North.-Scanty appearance of the Southern country.-The sentiments and manners of its people.-" American exaggeration," a peculiarity of the Northern mind.-Sobriety of the South.-How these qualities were displayed in the Northern and Southern estimations of the Union.-"State Rights" the foundation of the moral dignity of the Union.-Calhoun's picture of the Union.-A noble vision never realized.. 45

Material decline of the South in the Union.-Shifting of the numbers and enterprise of the country from the Southern to the Northern States.-Virginia's rank among the States at the time of the Revolution.-Commercial distress of the States after the Revolution.-How New England suffered.-The South then reckoned the seat of future empire. The people and strength of America bearing Southwardly.Emigration to the South.-Kentucky and the vales of Frankland.-Virginia's prosperity. Her early land system.-The Chesapeake.-Alexandria.-George Washington's great commercial project.-Two pictures of Virginia: 1789 and 1829.— An example of the decline of the South in material prosperity.-This decline not ✓ to be attributed to Slavery.-Its true causes.-Effect of the Louisiana purchase on the tides of emigration.-Unequal Federal legislation, as a cause of the sectional lapse of the South in the Union.-The key to the political history of America.-A great defect of the American Constitution.-Population as an element of prosperity and power.-How this was thrown into the Northern scale.-Two sectional measures.-Comparisons of Southern representation in Congress at the date of the Constitution and in the year 1860.-Sectional domination of the North.-A protective Tariff.-" The Bill of abominations."-Senator Benton on the Tariff of 1828. -His retrospect of the prosperity of the South.-History of the American Tariffs. -Tariff of 1833, à deceitful Compromise.-Other measures of Northern aggrandizement.-Ingenuity of Northern avarice.-Why the South could not use her Democratic alliance in the South to protect her interests.-This alliance one only for party purposes.-Its value.-Analysis of the Democratic Party in the North.-The South under the rule of a numerical majority.-Array of that majority on a sectional line necessarily fatal to the Union.-When and why the South should attempt disunion.... 54

CHAPTER IV.

The sectional equilibrium.-How disturbed in 1820.-Contest on the admission of Texas.-Compromise measures of 1850.-Declaration of a "Finality."-President Pierce's administration.-The Kansas-Nebraska bill.-Repeal of "The Missouri Compromise."-Origin of the Republican party in the North.-Composition and character of this Party.-Amazing progress of the Anti-slavery sentiment in the North.-New interpretation of the Kansas-Nebraska bill by Senator Douglas.— Intended to court the Anti-slavery sentiment.-Doctrine of "Non-Intervention " in the Territories.-The "Dred Scott decision."-" The Kansas controversy."—The Lecompton Convention.-The Topeka Constitution.-President Buchanan's position and arguments.-Opposition of Senator Douglas.-His insincerity.-The Northern Democratic Party demoralized on the Slavery question.-Douglas' doctrine of

"Popular Sovereignty."-" A short cut to all the ends of Black Republicanism." -Douglas as a demagogue. The true issues in the Kansas controversy.-Important passages in the Congressional debate.-Settlement of the Kansas question.— Douglas' foundation of a new party.-His demagogueical appeals. The true situation.-Loss of the sectional equilibrium.-Serious temper of the South.-" The John Brown_raid."-Identity of John Brown's provisional constitution and ordinances with the subsequent policy of the Republican Party.-Curious foreshadow of Southern subjugation.-The descent on Harper's Ferry.-Capture and execution of Brown.-His declaration.-Northern sympathy with him.-Alarming tendency of the Republican Party to the Ultra-Abolition school.-"The Helper Book."-Sentiments of Sixty-eight Northern congressmen.-The conceit and insolence of the North.-Affectation of Republicans that the Union was a concession to the South.-Hypocrisy of this party.-Indications of the coming catastrophe of disunion. The presidential canvass of 1860.-Declarations of the Democratic Party. The Charleston Convention.-Secession of the Southern delegates.-The different presidential tickets.-Election of Abraham Lincoln.-Analysis of the vote. How his election was a "sectional" triumph.-Ominous importance of it in that view.-Arguments for sustaining Lincoln's election.-Seward's argument in the Senate.-Lincoln's election a geographical one.-How there was no longer protection for the South in the Union.-The Anti-slavery power compact and invincible.-Another apology for Lincoln's election.-Fallacy of regarding it as a transfer of the Administration in equal circumstances from the South to the North. -How the South had used its lease of political power.-Senator Hammond's tribute.-Power in the hands of the North equivalent to sectional despotism.-The North "acting in mass."-The logical necessity of disunion...

CHAPTER V.

64

Preparations of South Carolina to withdraw from the Union.-Passage of her Ordinance of Secession.-The Federal force in Charleston Harbour evacuates Fort Moultrie, and occupies Sumter.-Description of Fort Sumter.-How the Secession of South Carolina was entertained in the North.-The levity and inconsistency of the North with respect to this event.-Doctrine of Secession, and Northern precedents.— Record of Massachusetts.-Mr. Quincy's declaration in Congress.-A double justification of the withdrawal of the Southern States from the Union.-The right of Selfgovernment. Opinion of Mr. Lincoln.-Opinion of the New York "Tribune."Opinion of Mr. Seward.—The Secession question in the Cotton States.-Hesitation of Georgia.-Project of Alexander H. Stephens.-Secession of all the Cotton States. -Seizure of Federal forts and arsenals.-Fort Pickens.-Senator Yulee's letter.The scenes of Secession transferred to Washington.-Resignation of Southern Senators. Jefferson Davis' farewell speech to the Federal Senate.-Senator Clay's bill of indictment against the Republican party.-The Convention at Montgomery.Constitution of the Confederate States. Jefferson Davis chosen President. His personal history.—His character.—Why the public opinion about him was so divided and contradictory. Measures looking to pacification.-Three avenues through which it was expected.-Early prospects of pacification in Congress.-The Republican "ultimatum."—"The Crittenden compromise."-Measures of compromise and peace in Congress exclusively proposed by the South, and deliberately defeated by the North.-The Peace Conference.-Its failure.-Disposition of the Border Slave States.—How mistaken by the North.-The Virginia Convention.-How the Secession party gained in it.The record of Virginia on the subject of State Rights.-President Buchanan on the Secession question. His weak character and undecided

policy. How over-censured by the North.-Gen. Scott's intermeddling.-His impracticable advice.-President Buchanan's perfidy in the Moultrie-Sumter affair.— His interview with the South Carolina delegation.-A second deception. The "Star of the West" affair.-The situation at the close of Buchanan's administration.— The country waiting for the Signal of Combat.

CHAPTER VI.

82

Character of Abraham Lincoln in history.-Absurd panegyric.-The personal and political life of the new President.-His journey to Washington.-His speech at Philadelphia.-The flight from Harrisburg.-Alarm in Washington.-Military display in the capital.-Ceremony of inauguration.-Criticism of Lincoln's address.— What the Republican party thought of it.-Serious pause at Washington.-Statement of Horace Greeley.-How the Inaugural Address was received in the Seceded States. Visit of Confederate Commissioners to Washington.-Seward's pledge to Judge Campbell.-The Commissioners deceived.-Military and Naval expeditions from New York.-Consultation of the Cabinet on the Sumter question.-Capt. Fox's visit to Charleston.-His project.-Obiections of Gen. Scott.-Singular article in a New York journal.-Lincoln's hesitation. His final device.-Seward's game with the Commissioners.-The reduction of Fort Sumter.-Description of the Confederate works for the reduction of Sumter.-Beauregard demands the surrender of the Fort.-The bombardment.-The fort on fire.-The Federal fleet takes no part in the fight.-The surrender.-Great excitement in the North.-Its true meaning. The crusade against the South.-Dr. Tyng's exhortation.-Conduct of Northern Democrats.-Dickinson, Everett, and Cochrane.-President Lincoln's Proclamation. His pacific protests to the Virginia Commissioners.-Secession of Virginia. Discontent in the Western counties.-Second secessionary movement of the Southern States.-Violent acts of the Washington Administration.-Preparations of the Confederate Government for War.-Rush of volunteers to arms.-President Davis' estimate of the military necessity.-Removal of the seat of govern`ment to Richmond.-Activity of Virginia.-Robert E. Lee.-His attachment to the Union. Why he joined the Confederate cause.-His speech in the State House at Richmond. His organization of the military force of Virginia.-Military council in Richmond.—The early reputation of Lee....... 100

CHAPTER VII.

In what sense Virginia seceded from the Union.-A new interpretation of the war of the Confederates.-Influence of Virginia on the other Border States.-Replies of these States to Lincoln's requisition for troops.-Secession of Tennessee, Arkansas, and North Carolina.-Seizure of Federal forts in North Carolina.-Movements in Virginia to secure the Gosport navy-yard and Harper's Ferry.-Their success.— Burning of Federal ships.-Attitude of Maryland.-The Baltimore riot.--Chase of Massachusetts soldiers.-Excitement in Baltimore.-Timid action of the Maryland Legislature.-Military despotism in Maryland.-Arrests in Baltimore.-A Reign of Terrour.-Light estimation of the war in the North.-Why the Federal Government sought to belittle the contest.-Lincoln's view of the war as a riot.-Seward's Letter to the European Governments.-Early action of England and France with respect to the war.-Mr. Gregory's letter to the London Times.-Northern conceit about the war.-Prophecies of Northern journals.-A "Three months' war."—Ellsworth and Billy Wilson.-Martial rage in the North.-Imperfect appreciation of the Crisis in the South.-Early ideas of the war at Montgomery.-Secret history of the Confederate Constitution.-Southern opinion of Yankee soldiers.-What was

thought of "King Cotton."-Absurd theories about European recognition.-Lost Opportunities of the Confederate Government.-Blindness and littleness of mind North and South.-Reflection on public men in America.-Comparison of the resources of the Northern and Southern States.-The Census of 1860.-Material advantages of the North in the war.-The question of subsistence.-Poverty of the South in the material and means of war.-How the Confederacy was supplied with small arms.-Peculiar advantages of the South in the war.-The military value of space.—Lessons of history.—The success of the Southern Confederacy, a question only of resolution and endurance.-Only two possible causes of failure.

CHAPTER VIII.

...120 Y

Mr. Lincoln's remark about the wolf-His designs upon Virginia.-Federal occupation of Alexandria.-Tragedy at the Marshall House.-Jackson, the martyr.-The affair of Great Bethel.-Easy victory of the Confederates.-Exaggerations of Southern newspapers.-Apparent lull of hostilities.-New demonstrations of public opinion in the North.-Financial difficulties at Washington.-Popular clamour against President Lincoln and Gen. Scott.-Early indications of the real objects of the war. -The rights of humanity.-Virginia the great theatre of the war.-The Grand Army of the North.-Consultation of President Davis and Beauregard and Lee.Beauregard's line of defence in Northern Virginia.—Sketch of General Beauregard. -His person and manners.—His opinion of the Yankee.-The Army of the Potomac and the Army of the Shenandoah.-Gen. Johnson's evacuation of Harper's Ferry.— "Stonewall" Jackson's first affair with the enemy.-Johnston amusing the enemy.—Affair of Rich Mountain.—McClellan's march into Northwestern Virginia. -Rosecrans' capture of the Confederate force on Rich Mountain.-Retreat of the Confederates from Laurel Hill.-Death of Gen. Garnett.-Extent of the disaster to the Confederates.-The "Grand Army" advancing on Manassas.-Johnston's movement to Beauregard's line.-The Battle of Manassas.-The affair of 18th July.-Longstreet's gallant defence.-Theatre of the great battle.-Beauregard's change of purpose, and his plan of battle.—The Stone Bridge. The "Big Forest."—The Confederates flanked. The day apparently lost for them.-The scene at the Henry House.-Timely arrival of Jackson.-Gen. Beauregard disconcerted.-Ride from the Hill to the Henry House. The battle restored. The bloody plateau.Three stages in the battle. The last effort of the enemy. The strange flag.Arrival of Kirby Smith.-The grand and final Charge.-Rout and panic of the enemy. The fearful race to the Potomac.-Scenes of the retreat.-Failure of the

Confederates to pursue, or to advance upon Washington.-A lost opportunity...134 N

CHAPTER IX.

The victory of Manassas, a misfortune for the Confederates.-Relaxation in Richmond.-Plotting among Confederate leaders for the Presidential succession.— \ Beauregard's political letter.-Active and elastic spirit of the North.-Resolution of the Federal Congress.-Energy of the Washington Administration.-Its immense preparations for the prosecution of the war.-The Missouri campaign.-The politics of Missouri.-Sterling Price and his party.-Imprudence and violence of the Federal authorities in Missouri.-Correspondence between Gens. Price and Harney.—Gov. Jackson's proclamation. Military condition of Missouri. Her heroic choice.Affair at Booneville.-Composition of the patriot army of Missouri.—Engagement at Carthage.-Confederate reinforcements under McCulloch.-Disagreement between Price and McCulloch.-Noble conduct of Price.-The Battle of Oak Hill.— McCulloch surprised.-A fierce fight.-Death of Gen. Lyon.-The Federals de