То CHAPTER XXV. LETTERS: 1857-1860. NO turn from the story of a nation's crisis to details of personal life gives at first an impression of abrupt descent. It is like coming from the distant view of a city in which its far-away grandeur charms the eye and fires the imagination, into immediate contact with its scenes of prosaic reality. But the deeper look sees under these homely aspects the great drama of humanity. The pictured tapestry of a people's fortunes has for its warp and woof the thread of every-day lives-their toils, pleasures, discomforts, losses, successes. Of the letters in this and other chapters, not a few are given for their incidental revelations of traits in the writer. Often the thought may not be weighty, the judgment, perhaps, not correct, but if the reader is helped to see the man as he really was, something is gained. To Charles Allen. January 11, 1857. With what meat are you consoling yourself in L- -'s absence, and the want of my delightful chirography for the last ten days? I have been to New York and Boston, have gone to a ball, and have sat up till four o'clock printing Governor Gardner's message, besides experiencing several other unusual sensations, VOL. I.-19 289 Fort Sumter. If the Confederate conspirators re let food be conveyed to a starving garrison of An soldiers, the friends of the Union everywhere are to know the reason why, and it will be a joy country to have that question settled." Between ton and Montgomery, the Confederate capital, s grams were flying. Doubtless, the Secessionist on the effect of a conflict of arms in sweeping the wa ing border states into union with the South. The e in uniting the North they did not foresee, they lieved the North to be divided, half-hearted, and will spirit to fight. The decisive order was given by in dent Davis; the fort received a summons to surr and Major Anderson refused; then from the surro forts a circle of fire opened upon it. For two da 12 and 13, the people North and South listenet lessly to the pealing of the guns. Then the ov garrison yielded; Major Anderson agreed to the fort, and its flag went down. One great grief, resentment, and purpose united them Hesitations, doubts, theories, vant lines were forgotten. There was but one feeling-to make the flag supreme again land. The President called for sevent volunteers, and the loyal states rushed North Carolina, Tennessee, Arkansas the Southern Confederacy. Pennsv thrown instantly into Washington after them came the Massachusett country was wrapped in a whirlwi CHAPTER XXV. LETTERS: 1857-1860. Tot personal life gives at first an impression of 10 turn from the story of a nation's crisis to details abrupt descent. It is like coming from the distant view of a city in which its far-away grandeur charms the eye and fires the imagination, into immediate contact with its scenes of prosaic reality. But the deeper look sees under these homely aspects the great drama of humanity. The pictured tapestry of a people's fortunes has for its warp and woof the thread of every-day lives - their toils, pleasures, discomforts, losses, successes. Of the letters in this and other chapters, not a few are given for their incidental revelations of traits in the writer. Often the thought may not be weighty, the judgment, perhaps, not correct, but if the reader is helped to see the man as he really was, something is gained. To Charles Allen. January 11, 1857. With what meat are you consoling yourself in L-'s absence, and the want of my delightful chirography for the last ten days? I have been to New York and Boston, have gone to a ball, and have sat up till four o'clock printing Governor Gardner's message, besides experiencing several other unusual sensations, VOL. I.-19 289 since I last wrote you. I had a delightful breakfast with Dana at Delmonico's in New York, during which we settled the Philadelphia matter. He took it in hand, and told them that I would go on and see them if they would agree to raise a $50,000 cash capital, to which I should contribute $5000-then make the nominal capital $100,000, and give me twenty of the new shares, or one-fourth of the whole concern, which he calculated would be worth the $100,000 at the end of the year, or when the $50,000 was used up ;- and besides give me supreme control and $4000 salary. This was rather more magnificent than I should have demanded myself, but he said they ought to do it, if I went, and I told him to go ahead. The reply I have not heardprobably it will end the matter, at least for the present. I am content. On such terms I could hardly decline running the small risk proposed. Rather than accept less, or much less, I would remain here, or go to Boston, or go on the Tribune itself. I shall get $4000, perhaps $5000, out of the Republican this year, and had best stay unless I can make a ten strike. L-I saw a few moments in Boston. She seemed in capital spirits, and promised to come around this way home. Is it not about time for you to come down and see us again? I feel sort o' leisurely, have got a new anecdote or two, and the blissful fountains of ale are overflowing, while with a lemon and some hot water we might save the Union after the more approved fashion of the season. What say you? L— being away, you must be lonely, and disposed to do something desperate. If my wife were away, I'd come up and see you - I would. January 18, 1857. The Philadelphia people have replied, coming nearly to my standard, but I have declined to abate a jot. I think the only real point is my demand for supreme and absolute control; there are one or two people who have an interest in the movement, who, though willing and desirous to have me lead, are yet bent on attaching themselves to the enterprise and going to glory with it. This is all right if they are worthy, but if they prove drags I must have the right to slough them off. I think here is the sticking-point. I am more and more indifferent to going unless on my own terms. Monday. My eyes, what a storm! One of my ears was nipped by the frost last night going home at eleven, and it burns to-day like a bad conscience. But that last hot whisky, at the noon of night, with Mrs. Bowles, was like meat to a strong man. It only needed you to make the thing complete. By the way, Mrs. B. and I have been indulging in the weakness of being crayonized this last week by Kimberly. The result is rather a success. Come and see 'em. To H. L. Dawes. February 16, 1857. Our friends in the legislature are getting somewhat exercised, but are not half so frightened as I wish they were. Gardner wants to make the legislature long and unpopular, and cast upon it and us the extravagance of himself and crew, and give the hunkers aid and comfort in their combination for "reform." But it won't work, unless our fellows are natural fools, which they are not quite, though I sometimes think near it. If we had a decent press in Boston, it would straighten the trouble out directly; but we must only kick and cuff the legislature into appreciating their responsibilities, and trust in Providence and the people to bring the matter out right during the summer. In national politics, matters seem to be drifting still, and the exact form of the future no one knows. The Democratic party cannot go unitedly through Buchanan's Administration. The men that elected him will never choose another president, because their organization is worn out, effete, and cannot stand the rocks before it. I wish you would come down here and go to Boston with me. I think there will be a gathering of the "saints" early in March, perhaps after Congress has adjourned, and then you must appear on parade. We should get those amendments out of the way before we strike out for the summer campaign. We want two planks; - non-extension of slavery, and state reform. |