TRUTH OF THE WAR CONSPIRACY of 1861 CO/APLIAENT OP Welby Chapter, U. D. C, UPFERVILLE, VIRGINIA AI5S /AARY D. CARTER, UPPERVILLE, VIRGINIA "Everyone should do all in his power to collect and disseminate the truth." R. E. LEE Dec. 3rd, 1865. Copy-right, 1921 H. W. JOHNSTONE CURRYVILLE, QA. A FOREWORD. During President Washington's administration, at a banquet of the notables at Richmond, a young man, John Randolph of Roanoke, was called on for sentiment. Randolph arose, raised his glass, and said: "George Washington, may he be damned" Instantly there was a howl of protest, a threatening move- ment. Randolph calmly waited; then continued "if he signs Jay's Treaty!" There was a shout of approval. I have somewhat to say. Hear me through, then howl, or shout, as you may feel. 373, 111 MEMORANDA 9 ^/ The crucial period in which the premeditated schemes of the e -x fanatics were put into operations, so as to inaugurate actual , was from March 4th, to July 4th, 1861; before Congress allowed to meet, to consider it. From May 1861 to January 1862 I served in the "5th Geor- gia Volunteers, ' ' C. S. A. at Pensacola, Florida. About July 1st, 1861 an expedition under our Colonel, John K. Jackson, attacked "Billy Wilson's Zouaves" (of Boston), on Santa Eosa Island, at nigh*. We drove them, pell mell into Fort Pickens; captured, and burned, their camps and im- mense stores. As we were returning to our boats we were at- tacked by a force of "regulars'' of the U. S. Army. We drove them back; and my Captain, S. W. Mangham, captured their commanding officer, Major Vogdes, (who was mounted on a mule.) Twenty years later, at Fort Adams, B. I., I met General Vogdes, who remembered the incident and discussed it. In his remarks he stated that he had reinforced Fort Pickens before Fort Sumter was attacked; but, that his act was overshadowed by the clamor and furore abou-t Fort Sumter. That was the first intimation I ever had of that fact. It led me to search for some proof of it. I read Stephens, Davis, Semmes, Taylor, Maury, Shouier, and hundreds of authentic magazine articles, but none cleared the mystery enveloping that vital point. It was not until the Records were opened to research, nearly twenty years later, that I found confirma- tion of Vogdes' statement, which led me through devious ways to other facts as to M. C. Meigs, H. A. Adams, J. L. Worden, D. D. Porter, and many others. The mystifying dis arrangement of those records was a work of genius. It seems easy now, but I was years in getting the facts into chronological sequence. In 1917 I succeeded in perfecting proofs fixing the responsi- bility for the "War Between the States," 1861-1865, on one man, Abraham Lincoln. My unconscious monitor, Vogdes, was one of the prisoners of war designated, by the Confederate War Department, te suffer the same fate as the Federal authorities threatened to execute on officers and men, (part of Admiral Semmes' com- mand,) captured at the mouth of the Mississippi River in 1861. The "pirates" were not executed; so, Vogdes was saved. One of the keenest observers I ever met was in Washington at the time of this secret War Conspiracy, Admiral Raphael Semmes, C. S. N. In 1870 a friend at Mobile invited me to ac- company him to the "Anchorage," the home of the Admiral, and for an hour I enjoyed tho Admiral's reminiscences. As I left he said to me: "Captain, the secret treachery that caused the war will come to light, and justify the South. Truth i* deathless!" That was twenty-five years before the "secret" causes were unearthed; and then, were not comprehended, by the employees who handled them. In the Encyclopedia Brittanica Lincoln's biographer (who feign S. F. and L. S.) says: "In early life Lincoln adopted these three maxims: "1st. Never to swear; "2nd. Never to touch liquor; "3rd. Never to lie; "And, he never did!" I know nothing of his "swears." I know Lamon and Herndon picture Lincoln waving a bottle in the midst of a drunken mob; and I remember, it was told, that he prescribed "liquor like General Grant drinks!" As to his "3rd maxim Never to lie," I rest on the facts as will appear in this article. From the same source I quote from Lincoln's first inaugural address, March 4th, 1861: (B) "In your hands, my dissatisfied countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. "The Government will not assail you; you can have no con- flict without being yourselves the aggressors." That too, with his "3rd maxim," I leave to be answered by the facts of record, as set forth in this article. Bear in mind that there was no "Civil War," (except in Missouri); I am treating of the "War between the (Sovereign) States." In this labor of many years, I have held frequent "imaginary conversations," discussions, arguments, with my loyal, trusted 4 friend, the Blade (my old service sword, which hangs on the wall, environed by books, records, and memories.) The Blade speaks for the Truth; and points to the record in this paper. I bespeak for my trusty friend your patience. A word as to the spirit in which this paper is prepared. If this article expresses my belief, it is because it sustains it. Abraham Lincoln is, to me, exactly what his own record makes him. It would be the same were the Prince of Peace the actor. I served four years in the "War between the States." I know what it is to meet men armed with a torch in one hand, the sword of diabolism in the other. (All were not so, else all would have died.) I know somewhat of the inferno of "Recon- struction.". I saw my people suffer, my father's house van- dalized, my mother's tomb desecrated, I saw the South des- olate ! Then, I saw my people rise; and, with a courage unequaled, restore our waste places and force a re-entrance to ' ' Our Father 's house, to stay, thank God ! ' ' My intent is to discover the facts, establish the Truth, as to the responsibility for the horrors of that war. To attempt to describe such a tragic drama in cold, philosoph- ic terms, would be to fail. If the acts be not set forth in words which portray their infamy it might be false, instead of an historical Truth. Truth is not slander ; nor partisan. So, if a just indignation finds, vent in good old English, oc- casionally, remember the South 's sixty years of foul wrongs; and, if your view is worth notice, you will at least smile, as I do, my task being accomplished. Truth of War Conspiracy 1861 When Washington was made President there was no party line. John Adams succeeded him, in 1797, without any definite party cleavage; but the laws passed under Adams' administra- tion, by Hamilton's influence, aroused Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, who wrote into the Resolutions of 1798-9 "the first clear definite platform of Republican-Democratic princi- ples;" which, supplemented by "Madison's Report," and epit- omized in Jefferson's first inaugural address, set forth the basic principles of true Democracy. The people rallied to them. Hamilton's Federalism was c$n- demned and Jeffersonian Democracy voted into power. It is interesting to recall that the first political struggle in Virginia, after these Resolutions were promulgated, was led by Jefferson's young kinsman, John Randolph, of Roanoke, then 26 years old, and his first contest for office. He was opposed by the influence of Washington, Marshall, and even Patrick Henry was somehow against him; but Randolph was elected, 1799, and became a powerful Democratic leader. May I ask a pertinent question? How long since you read those "Resolutions," or "Madison's Report," or Jefferson's first "Inaugural," or Calhoun's "Res- olutions of 1833 and 7," or Jefferson Davis 's "Resolutions" in the U. S. Senate in 1860 ? If you are ignorant of them, how do you know what you be- lieve; or that you are a Democrat? There was never a truer patriot in America than John Adams ; yet his administration caused his personal friend, Jefferson, to write the following in the noted Kentucky Resolutions. Hark ye, the father o*f Democracy speaks : (A) "This Commonwealth is determined to submit to no undele- go,ted and consequently unlimited power, in no man, or body of men on earth, even the President, whose suspicions may be the evidence, his orders the sentence, his officers the executioner and "his breast the sole record of the transaction. "When powers are assumed which have not been delegated, a nullification of the act is the rightful remedy; and every state has a natural right in cases not within the compact, casus- non federis, to nullify of their own authority all assumptions of power by others within their limits. "It would be a dangerous delusion were a confidence (in the nen of our choice) t:> silence our fears for the safety of our rights. Confidence is everywhere the parent of despotism. Jealousy, and not confidence, prescribes limited constitutions to bind down those whom we are obliged to trust with power. "In questions of power then, let there be no more heard of confidence in man; but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the constitution." Had Abraham Lincoln heeded these great truths, there would have been no "War between the States." Partisan books, labeled "History," have taught false theories until their practice has obtained, in press and pulpit, to a dan- gerous extent. The truth is not always comfortable; but, it is always safe. A few days ago some of my old veteran comrades cheered the sentiment that "Washington, Jefferson, Lincoln, et al, estab- lished and defended Democratic principles." My veneration for Washington isolates him from all other men; yet, I love to think he was just human; and at times so near anti-republican centralism, that the cleavage between razed his plume, lofty as it was. Wisely he trusted Jefferson. The heritage he left to John Adams brought on the political revolu- tion of 1798-1800, led by Jefferson and Madison, as noted. Antagonizing those principles is dangerous. If the Constitutional principles then established, and prac- ticed, by Jefferson, were ever practiced or defended, by Abraham Lincoln, will not some one cite us to the time, the occasion, and the proof? I have not found either. My friend, the Blade, has not withered with age, nor bent to cringe and aspostatize. The grip and housings are somewhat battered ; but, the steel grey body is as keen, as ready, as reliable, as when it clanged at a camp fire dance, or gleamed, midst those dear ' ' Grey Riders ' ' when our dauntless Chief tain, Hampton, led the way! My eyes are a little dimmed, my hand less steady, my step less elastic, than when the Blade and I were "first ac- quaint;" but, our hearts are strangely young, and still burn as we recall those scenes lang syne In the night silences the Blade and I often commune, with- out words, a kind of flow of soul. In one of these reveries, a 7 bit ago, there came, softly, musically, through the stillness "I never shall forget the day I turned to the Blade, inquiringly, and realized it was voices, of long ago, singing " Kitty Wells." Then followed "Ben Bolt," and "Lorena. " After a pause, "Her Bright Smile Haunts Me Still," floated to us on "Evening Breezes," bringing memories of a tryst with "Sweet Belle Mahone" at "Killarney," midst "Scenes That Are Brightest;' and thence, to meet "Robin Adair," and "John Anderson My Jo," "Within a Mile of Edinboro Town." Will the "old songs" waft the fragrance of the past to the "Grey Shades," "Beyond the River?" I hope so. The Blade presses closer, and whispers of a clean-cut English- man who came to us and volunteered to wear "grey." He rode with us, near the front, too, when danger was abroad. I wonder if any others are left who remember how, in the stilly night, this quiet man, Frederick Crouch, would sing his appeal to her he loved so loyally, and pleaded to so long, "Kathleen Mavourneen?" Across all the years I can hear Crouch voicing this, his own song, with his whole heart in it. A talented man, whose life was shadowed by sorrow, he had few intimates ; but ,was a gal- lant "Grey Rider," and good to know. He died, at Baltimore, with " Mavourneen 's " hand in his, many years ago. In all the changes that have come since those days our Dem- ocratic principles, the basis of that four years' struggle, have remained unchanged, steadfast. Our experience in the Greely episode taught us that a Democrat, in spirit, and in truth, cannot always follow the vagaries of the party. As I now write, 1917, I air. oppressed by the fact that the "party" has "lost its tag;" abandoned its basic principles; swallowed Hamilton 's whole creed and practice ; established mil- itary autocracy to an unknown limit; forgotten Washington's and Jefferson's advice and warnings; and, is "off agin." to a funeral ! The Blade soothingly assures me, "Principles don't have funerals. We are safe while we keep a sure grip on our prin- ciples." Recently the Blade and I were discussing these topics and I 8 read aloud that "The Civil War began when Fort Sumter was fired on by the South. ' ' Instantly the Blade was alert; there was a sound of steely friction. Then I read an extract from Abraham Lincoln's message to' Congress, December 1864, and emphasized this sentence : "I simply mean to say that the war will cease, on the part of the Government, whenever it shall cease on the part of those who began it." "What's that?" The metallic ring of the restless Blade was ominous. "Why, the United States Government and Abraham Lincoln began the war by committing tt least four flagrant acts of war, against two vital points in the South, weeks before Fort Sumter was fired on. That these acts were secret, and the most treacherous known to civilized diplomacy, does not weaken the force of the facts. The secrecy emphasizes the treachery. "Had secret orders been obeyed, or oiher like orders not miscarried, war would have been openly inaugurated at a point five hundred miles from Fort Sumter, long before 'Fort Sumter was fired on.' "That the first open clash was at Fort Sumter, was an acci- dent, caused by a misfit in Abraham Lincoln's schemes to force war ' at any risk or cost. ' ' I reminded the Blade. There was a solemn agreement, an Armistice, existing at Charleston, entered into by the United States Government and South Carolina officials on December 6th, 1860 ; and a special agreement, armistice, at Pensacola, entered into by the United States and Florida authorities on January 29th, 1861, (both filed in United States War and Navy Departments) by which the United States agreed not to attempt to reinforce Major Anderson, nor Fort Pickens; and South Carolina, Florida and the Confederate authorities, agreed to make no attack on Major Anderson, or Fort Pickens, while these solemn agreements were observed. To violate an armistice is considered a treacherous act of war. For either party to prepare to act. against 'a point covered by an armistice, is an act of war. It has been held, and rightly, that for any person to visit a fortification, where an armistice exists, with the intent to advise or plan means or methods, to 9 strengthen such fortification is the act of a spy, a reinforce- ment, and an act of war. The first who renders force necessary to defend and protect a right, is the "aggressor" in a war. So that any act, any order intended to change the existing status quo at any vital point, especially where an armistice ex- ists, by strengthening, or arranging to strengthen, such a place, thus making force necessary, is a treacherous act of war. Yet, you say that the United States Government, and Abraham Lincoln, ordered, and secretly organized and sent, armed expedi- tions, under "secret" instructions, to commit acts in violation of existing "armistices." Why to organize such a force, to mobilize it, for such a pur- pose, is an act of war. Where an armistice exists, such an order is a flagrant act of war. You are making very serious charges, my friend. The Blade firmly rejoined: "I am stating facts, incontrovertible truths, and I am citing them from secret places, to establish who began war. "If the facts establish who was innocent, don't worry about the guilty, for the Prince of Darkness cares for his own, makes them 'angels' in his torrid country. In our country we honor them in monumental stone, and send them, in 'bronze,' to teach foreign nations, especially Russia, how to obtain and pre- serve Liberty i ' ' A-rain I reminded the Blade : History does not state these "facts" as you do. The Blade flashed back : ' ' History don 't have to tell the truth ; I wish it did ; it would ' prevent an enormous waste of sentiment in this country. Much of this sentiment is so ignorant, hysterical, blind, that it often antagonizes truth. Some of us remember its suppressing books because they contained the truth, or even a truthful quotation. Why was Lamon 's 'Life of Lincoln' so suppressed? "Dr. A. T. Bledsoe noticed it. at length in the old Southern Quarterly Review. Was its truth its crime ? "Ward H. Lamon knew Lincoln, was his law partner. Lin- coln made him a colonel in the 'Secret Service,' and he was active in the events I am noting. Evidently Lincoln trusted Lamon; used Lamon. Why, and by whom, was Lamon 'sup- pressed ' later ? 10 "When Mr. Davis, Mr. Stephens, Generals 'Dick' Taylor, Dabney Maury, Admiral Semmes and others wrote defenses of the South, many vital, illuminating facts were not available. They charged deceit and treachery ; but it was denied, scoffingly. "Mr. Stephens weakened his charges by making personal ex- cuses for Lincoln. My Bible teaches that the personal accom- plishments of the fallen Lucifer enable him to lead us to the regions below. A man's liberty is very like his religion, both free to all; but only at the price of 'Eternal vigilance.' "The truth must be preserved by constant care. Falsehood fattens on the public common. "I repeat, the United States Government committed an act of war. within eight days after Lincoln was inaugurated, with ap- proval of Lincoln; and, this same day, Lincoln, personally, com- mitted an act clearly demonsti'ating his intent and purpose to bring on war. "Bear in mind that Captain Vogdes, U. S. Army, was sent with an armed force, on the U. S. S. Brooklyn, to reinforce Fort Pickens, in January 1861; but was estopped by the 'armistice' of January 29th, at Pensacola bar; and that this armed force remained there, under Captain Vogdes, on the Brooklyn. "As soon as Lincoln became President and Commander- in- Chief, these facts became known to him, officially; and the fol- lowing order was sent to violate the eristing armistice, reinforce Fort Pickens. and inaugurate war. It is well known that Gen- eral Scott was opposed to war; but he obeyed the Commander- -in-Chief, Abraham Lincoln. I quote the record. (Extract) "Hd. Qrs. of the Army, "Washington, March 12th, 1861. "Sir: (C) At the first favorable opportunity, you will land your com- pany, reinforce Fort Pickens, and hold the same till further orders, etc. By command of Lieut. Gen. Scott. (Signed) E. D. TOWNSEND, Asst. Adjt. Gen. To Captain I. Vogdes, First Artillery, U. S. Army, on board Ship of War Brooklyn, off Fort Piekens, Pensacola, Fla." "This order was sent by U. S. S. Crusader, and received by 11 Captain Vogdes, off Pemacola, on March 31st, 1861. The next morning he sent to Captain H. A. Adams, the following : " Off Pensacola, Fla. April 1st, 1861. "Sir: (D) Herewith I send you a copy of an order received by me last night. You will see by it that I am directed to land my com- mand at the earliest opportunity. I have therefore to request that you will place at my disposal such boats and other means as will enable me to carry into effect the enclosed order. (Signed) I. VOGDES, Capt. 1st Artly. Comdg. To Captain H. A. Adams, Commanding Naval Forces off Pensacola. ' ' "Captain Adams averted open war on April 1st 1861, by r~e- f using to obey this order. 1 ' In his ' Report ' to the Secretary of the Navy, Captain Adams says: (E) "It would be considered not only a declaration but an act of war; and would be resisted to the utmost. "Both sides are faithfully observing the agreement (armis- tice) entered into by the United States Government and Mr. Mallory and Colonel Chase, which binds us not to reinforce Fort Pickens unless it shall be attacked or threatened. It binds them not to attack it unless we should attempt to reinforce it." Upon receipt of this precise "Report" from Captain Adams, the Secretary of the Navy, regardless of the existing armistice, sent the following, (note its secrecy) : "Navy Dept, April 6th, 1861. "(Confidential). Sir: (F) Your dispatch of April 1st is received. The Department re- grets that you did not comply with the request of Capt. Vogdes. You will immediately on the first favorable opportunity after receipt of this order, afford every facility to Capt. Vogcles to enable him to land the troops under his command, it being the wish and intention of the Navy Department to co-operate unth the War Department, in that object. (Signed) GIDEON WELLES, Secty. of the Navy. To Captain H. A. Adams, Commanding Naval Forces off Pensacola." (G) "This order was sent by a special messenger, Lieut. J. L. Worden, U. S. N. "Worden went by rail, via Richmond, Augusta, 12 Atlanta (Georgia) ; when near Atlanta he became alarmed from some cause, and he opened the dispatches, committed them to memory; then 'destroyed them'; (the act of a spy.) He arrived at Pensacola at 'midnight, April 10th.' "On llth of April Worden saw General Bragg, and assured General Bragg that he 'only had a verbal message of a pacific nature for Captain Adams.' "The Lieutenant was allowed to go qut to Captain Adams, under this 'pacific' assurance, and the existing 'armistice.' " 'Eough weather' prevented Worden from reaching Captain Adams on the llth. (It also prevented open war on April llth, 1861, by delaying Worden.) "On April 12th Worden delivered, 'verbally, from memory,' the order to reinforce Fort Pickens. "Worden returned to Pensacola about 5:30 P. M., April 12th. He avoided seeing General Bragg and boarded a train for Mont- gomery, en route back to Washington. (J) " Worden 's actions aroused suspicion, and he was followed and arrested next morning at Montgomery. By some mfeans he escaped a spy's fate and was held 'as a prisoner of war.' "About a year later Worden commanded the iron clad 'Mon- itor' in her fight with the C. S. S. Virginia (Merrimac.) (K) '"To avoid a spy's fate Worden made a 'statement,' April 16th, 1861 to L. P. Walker, Confederate States Secretary of War. ' (H) "On April 14th General Bragg reported his experience with Worden. (G) "It was not until four years later, September, 1865, (when the war was over, and the spy safe) that Worden reported these facts to the U. S. Navy Department. This report proves his 'statement' to Secretary Walker to have been a tissue of lies. (L) "Captain Adams reported having landed Vogdes, and rein- forced Fort Pickens, on April ]2th; but, the fact is, that Vogdes, impatient of delay, actually landed a part of his armed force and reinforced Fort Pickens after ( 9 P. M.' on the night of April llth, 1861.' Here is my authority: (M) "April llth at 9 P. M. the Brooklyn got under way and stood in toward the harbor; and during the night landed troops .and marines on board, to reinforce Fort Pickens.' "That is from the official 'Log' of a U. S. Ship of War, as 13 reported to, and filed in, the U. S. Navy Department. It con- firms Vogdes' statement at Fort Adams. ' ' Captain Adams averted open war by refusing to obey orders twelve days before 'Fort Sumter was fired on.' "Captain Vogdes committeed an act of war, at Fort Pickens, the rfight before ' Sumter was fired on. ' "The instant that order was issued, March 12th, 1861, War was inaugurated, just one month before 'Sumter was fired on.' "The instant a military order is issued the whole power of the Government enforces it. "The intent was to use this power to force the South to sub- mit to Lincoln's unconstitutional theories and acts, (confessed so, by Lincoln himself ; and, held so, by Congress) or, defend our rights. "That order inaugurated war inevitably. A sense of honor in a naval officer averted open war twelve days before 'Sumter' was summoned to surrender. For this, this officer was officially reproved, and a special, secret, 'confidential' order was sent to him by a spy messenger, to obey the original order, (of March 12th, 1861), 'that object being the wish and intention.' "This shows that on March 12th, 1861, when that order was issued, it was the 'wish and intention' of the U. S. Government to begin war. "There is no possible escape from this. "The official record proves it. "In addition to this, Captain Adams obeyed the secret spy's orders, and inaugurated open war at Fort Pickens, on April 12th, 1861, the same day that 'Sumter was fired on' five hundred miles away; and it was more than a week before it was known at either Fort what had occurred at the other. The treacherous collusion was secretly held in Abraham Lincoln's 'yearning' mind." The Blade paused, and I interposed: Do -you mean that all this vas done secretly, while the Con- federate Peace Commission w.rs kept waiting? (being deceived by Seward and Lincoln.) (N) Why, Seward assured them, through Judge Campbell, on March 15th, that "Sumter will be evacuated in ten days;" and, there "is no intent to reinforce Fort Sumter." This assurance was repeated on March 20th : Seward pleading for time and 14 alleging that certain men were urging the Government to use force ; and that time was necessary to enable the Government to overcome this demand for force, and make a peaceable settle- ment. Seward also assured Judge Campbell "as to Fort Pick- ens, he, (Judge Campbell), should have notice of any design to alter the existing status there. " I am quoting Judges John A. Campbell, and Samuel Nelson, of the U. S. Supreme Court, who were both present at all these interviews; and, whose veracity, unlike Seward 's, has never been questioned. You know the Confederate States Peace Commissioners pre- sented their request on March 12th, 1861 ; the very day you say the order was sent to "reinforce Fort Picjkens." The Blade pressed in. (0) "Yes; and on that same day, Mar. 12th, 1861, (through one of his Cabinet, Montgomery Blair), telegraphed to Blair's kins- man, G V. Fox, to come to Washington to arrange for an expe- dition to reinforce Fort Sumter. "These facts prove two other facts. ' ' First : 'That the South was diligently using every means pos- sible to preserve and establish peace; and used no treachery. "Second: That the United States Government, and Abraham Lincoln, deceived the people ; deceived Congress, deceived the Confederate States Commissioners, by hypocritical 'yearnings,' and 'private,' 'confidential' and secret official acts, all done to insure Lincoln's scheme to force war on the South. "On March 15th, 1861, Senator Stephen A. Douglas intro- duced a Resolution in the U. S. Senate 'To withdraw all U. S. forces from the forts in the seceded states, except at Key West and Tortugus' (which were isolated, and really international in scope.) "Mr. Douglas also made a strong plea for peace and justice; and he clearly defined the limit of the President's powers. "Senators Clingham and Breckenridge introduced like Res- olutions; but the Senate adjourned March 28th, without action on either Resolution. "Does any man believe this Senate would have 'adjourned' if it had even suspicioned Lincoln's secret treachery? The Sen- ate was deceived by the hypocrisy of the conspirators, led by Lincoln and Seward. 15 "Of this action and its effect Mr. Stephens says (Vol. II, 354) : " 'But the understanding in the city (Washington), at the time of Mr Douglas' speech, and the time the assurance was given to the Confederate States Commissioners was, that Fort Sumter was to be immediately evacuated. " 'This intelligence was telegraphed throughout the country on the 14th of March ; the second day after the date of the Con- federate States Commissioners' note to Mr. Seward, and the day before the first meeting Mr. Seward had with Judge Campbell. I have little doubt, therefore, that, at that time, Mr Lincoln had decided to withdraw all United States forces from the limits of the Confederate States.' "No man believes that General Scott ordered Captain Vogdes to commit an act of war without the order or the approval of the Commander-in-Chief, Abraham Lincoln; for, it was known that General Scott was opposed to war, and advised against it. General Scott's words were: 'Let the wayward sisters go in peace.' ' ' That order emanated from Abraham Lincoln. No other power could have forced it. General Scott obeyed orders. "Mr. Stephens wrote in ignorance of the fact that Lincoln had secretly committed an act of war the very day the Con- federate Peace Commissioners presented their peace proposal, March 12th, 1861, a week after Lincoln was inaugurated, and three days before Mr. Douglas introduced his Resolution. "Another fact is here established; that the first move by each party was on March 12th, 1861. The South comes for peace, openly ; and Lincoln comes with a war order, in secret ! "Had Lincoln died a natural death, that 'cunning which was genius,' would have destroyed the evidence of his 'secret,' 'pri- vate,' 'confidential,' treacherous acts of war, which he covered up by complaining of his soul being 'burdened,' and his heart 'yearning for peace and union,' while he secretly, viciously, re- morselessly inaugurated the' war against the South ! "If the God of our fathers, through the tragedy of Lincoln's death, saved the Truth for us and posterity, let us remember that better men than Abraham Lincoln have died that Truth might live. "I have found no record, no authority, showing that Abraham Lincoln ever entertained a 'peaceful intent' except in his own 16 protestations; which the facts, as to his own acts, prove to have been utterly false;. and intended to deceive and mislead. (0) "In 1865 G. V. Fox made a detailed report as to his 'expedi- tion. ' (P) "In a letter to Montgomery Blair, dated Mar. 1st, 1861, Fox says pointedly; that the object of his 'plans' was 'the reinforc- ing of Fort Sumter.' In his detailed statement (1865) he says On February 6th, (1861) I met, by arrangement (at Army Headquarters) Lieutenant Norman J. Hall, who had been sent from Fort Sumter by Major Anderson' and 'we discussed the question of relieving Fort Sumter. 'Lieutenant Hall's plan' was : discussed. So, Hall, whom Anderson 'sent,' had a plan. (R) On Mar 8th, 1861, Fox writes to General Scott: 'Lieutenant Hall and myself have had several free conferences ; and, if he is permitted by South Carolina authorities to re-enter Fort Sumter, Major Anderson will comprehend the 'plan' for his relief. ' "This can only mean that Anderson was in collusion with Fox, Hall, Blair, Lincoln and others in their 'plans' to 'rein- force Sumter' and inaugurate war; for 'Hall' was 'sent by Maj. Anderson.' and met and conferred with Fox 'by arrangement;' and was intending, if 'permitted,' to 're-enter Fort Sumter,' and naturally report to Maj. Anderson who would 'comprehend the plan' to 're-enforce and relieve Fort Sumter.' (S) "Remember that Maj. Anderson commanded Fort Moultrie with its garrison when South Carolina seceded December 20th, 1860. On December 26th, the country was electrified by tl\e news that 'during the previous night, Major Anderson had dismantled Fort Moultrie, spiked his guns, burned his gun car- riages, and removed his command to Fort Sumter.' "Up to that time South Carolina had not seized a fort. Thia action violated the agreement not to change the existing militray status ; and South Carolina at once took possession of the other forts and defences. "Anderson was now scheming with Fox, Blair, Hall, and Lincoln on a 'plan' to reinforce Sumter. Every one of them knew it meant war. Not a word, not an act, in the whole 'plans' could be twisted into a 'yearning for peace and union.' (0) "G. V. Fox arrived at Washington on 'Mar. 13th' and had 17 several interviews with Lincoln, Blair, and General Scott. It appears that General Scott still opposed any forcing of war. "On March 19th Fox at his own suggestion, was sent to Fort Sumter where he had an interview with Major Anderson the 21st, and arranged for Anderson to hold out until 'April 15th/ Fox then returned to Washington, made his report, and the expedition took shape. So that Fox was simply Lincoln's spy and his arrangement with Anderson (which Fox denies, but facts sustain) was, and was intended to be, a 'reinforcement.' "The U. S. Senate was in 'executive session;' but no mention of these secret matters was made to this Senate (or any other), by Lincoln. Postmaster General Blair was the active supporter of the Lincoln-Fox war expedition. "Montgomery Blair was a West Point graduate, and ex-offi- cer of the U. S. Army, who left the service to practice law. He was counsel for Dred Scott in the noted case before the U. S. Supreme Court; and was now urging the Fox 'expedition,' knowing it meant war. "On March 28th the Senate adjourned. The next day Lin- coln began to act, and sent the following order tb the Secretary of the Navy: "Executive Mansion, March 29th, 1861. "Sir: (T) I desire that an expedition, to move by sea be got ready to sail as early as the 6th of April next, the whole according to memorandum attached : and that you co-operate with the Secre- tary of War for that object. Your obedient servant, (Signed) A. LINCOLN. "To Honorable Secretary of the Navy." "The memorandum attached called for from the Navy three ships of war. The Pocahontas, the Pawnee, and the Har- riet Lane; and '300 seamen, and one month's stores.' From the War Department '200 men, ready to leave garrison; and one year's stores.' (0) " On Mar. 30th Lincoln sent G. V. Fox to New York to pre- pare transports, etc., for the Fort Sumter expedition; and the (V) Secretary of the Navy issued orders, marked 'private' for the three ships of war, named by Lincoln, to be ready by Apri] 6th." 18 Again I questioned the Blade: (N) Have you forgotten that on Saturday, March 30th, Judge Campbell, who was the intermediary selected by Secretary Sew- ard to communicate between Lincoln, Seward and the Confed- erate States Commissioners, saw Mr. Seward about a telegram from Governor Pickens (of South Carolina), making inquiries as to rumors about Fort Sumter; and that Seward reassured Judge Campbell, and promised "a satisfactory answer to the Governor's telegram by next Monday, April 1st?" This telegram from Governor Pickens inquired concerning Colonel Lamon, who was in Charleston, "ostensibly to arrange the proposed evacuation of Port Sumter." On Monday, April 1st, Mr. Seward stated to Judge Campbell, ' ' The President may desire to supply Fort Sumter but will not do so;" and added, "There is no design to reinforce Fort Sum- ter." Do you mean to say that in the face of these official, peaceful assurances, which held the Confederates Commission waiting; that these war expeditions were secretly ordered, and organized by Lincoln and Seward, to reinforce Fort Pickens and Fort Sum- ter? "Why that was actual, active war! The Blade responded pointedly: ' ' Yes ! I mean to say that ; and more. Remember that Sew- ard and Shouler both clearly state that Lincoln was privy to all of Seward 's actions. April 1st, 1861, was a very red letter day for what Seward described as that ' cunning which was genius' in Abraham Lincoln. The following order by General Scott varies the usua>l military form so as to place the responsibility on higher authority. The first sentence clearly indicates this to any one conversant with military affairs. Lincoln's written approval fastens the fact. (Extracts) "Hd. Qurs. of the Army, Washington, April 1st, 1861. "Sir: (W) You have been designated to take command of an expedi- tion to reinforce and hold Fort Pickens in the harbor of Pensa- cola. You will proceed to New York where steam transportation for four companies will be engaged ; and putting on board such supplies as you can ship without delay proceed at once to your destination. The object and destination of this expedition will be communicated to no one to whom it is not already known. (Signed) WINFIELD SCOTT. 19 To Brevet Colonel Harvey Brown, U. S. Army. Approved April 2nd, 1861. " .(Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN." "Evidently General Scott required Lincoln's written author- ity before committing this act of war. "Lincoln, to insure the intent of this ' order, ' issued a special order, as follows: (Enclosure) "Executive Mansion, Washington, April Ist^ 1861. (X),." All officers of the Army and Navy, to whom this order may be exhibited will aid by every means in their power the expedi- tion under the command of Colonel Brown; supply him with men and material; and co-operating with "him as he may desire. (Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN." The Blade paused and I remarked: You have cited two expeditions to "reinforce Fort Piekens" Vogdes, and Brown; and the Fox expedition to "reinforce Fort Sumter." (N) Yet, that same day, Apr. 1st, 1861, Seward had solemnlyas- sured Judge Campbell that he should have notice of any design to change the "existing status at Fort Piekens" and reasserted there was "no design to reinforce Fort Sumter." The Blade resumed: "Well, Seward had his part in the Lincoln scheme and played it ; just as Chase did in the Peace Congress. It was all in keep- ing with Lincoln's creed and practice. "In 1848 Lincoln was an avowed 'Revolutionist.' In 1858, after seventy years of phenomenal growth and prosperity, he declared 'this government cannot continue to exist half slave and half free." "That was a good anti-constitutional 'Revolutionist' text. "In December, 1860, Senator Douglas introduced in the U. S. Senate a measure to protect the states in their constitutional rights; and to punish those guilty of inter-state insurrection or invasions such as John Brown's Harper's Ferry murder and arson raid. "In a speech at Cooper Union, New York, Lincoln denounced this Douglas Resolution, or measure, as a 'Sedition Bill.' Was not that protecting and defending John Brown's 'raid' of arson and murder; and such like crimes against society and govern- ment ? If so, how will you designate such a character ? 20 "Fort Sumter will be supplied, peaceably if allowed, forcibly "Considered as an incident, (Lincoln being elected but not yet inaugurated), it suggests that perhaps such a measure as Senator Douglas introduced would have hampered Lincoln's secret -designs j "I have alluded to the public announcement by S. P. Chase, Lincoln's avowed spokesman, in the 'Peace Congress' in 1861; thirty days before Lincoln was inaugurated. (xx) : "That was the most open, direct, defiant, disunion speech ever made by a ^representative of any party in the United States, to that date, outside of New England. Radicals, like Thad Stevens, paralleled it later. "It asserted, unequivocally, that the election of 1860 empow- ered Lincoln's 'party' to enforce their political theories on the country, regardless of the Constitution, the laws, the rights of the states, or the decisions of the Supreme Court ; and that Lin- coln would do so. "And he did. (Y) "Five days before Lincoln was inaugurated Congress passed a Resolution pronouncing the practice of political theories (as promulgated by S. P. Chase and several Northern states), to be violations of the Constitution. "The new Congress (elected in 1860), was more favorable to the constitution being upheld than was the outgoing Congress, which passed the Resolution cited; and knowing this, Lincoln did not convene this Congress until war was actually assured." I questioned the Blade : "That being true, as you state, what of Lincoln's 'yearning for peace and union,' which so 'burdened his soul?' You would put him in the class with John Brown. After a moment the Blade answered : "I have no desire to insult John Brown. I am citing facts, in the interest of justice and truth. If these facts indicate that Lincoln was. an enlarged edition of the Harper's Ferry anarch- ist, these same facts make the inference to result from Lincoln's oivn actions. "If Lincoln 'yearned' for peace, why did he refuse to even discuss peace with the Peace Commissioners who were there in Washington, deceived and waiting? "If 'peace and union burdened' his soul, why did he not con- 21 vene Congress to assume the 'burden' of peace, or war, as the Constitution required? "Have you forgotten Lincoln's attack on the Virginia Con- vention? This Sovereign Convention met at Richmond Feb- ruary 13th, 1861. It voted down several secession resolutions about three to one. It was for the Constitutional Union. (Z) "This Convention remained in session waiting impatiently for Lincoln to put into actual practice his avowed 'peae and unon' intent and purpose; but this Convention was also on guard ; ready to protect Virginia from any unconstitutional acts. Lincoln's consciousness of his own secret perfidy made him fear this Convention ; and he attempted to have it dissolved, so as to leave Virginia open to his schemes, a la Maryland. "On April 2nd, 1861, the very day he had approved a secret act of war, i. e., to ' reinforce Fort Pickens, ' Lincoln and Seward selected as Lincoln's confidential messenger a gentleman, a Virginian, a constitutional union man, then practicing law in Washington ; and at that time Judge Advocate of the U. S. Naval Court Martial. This was Allan B. Magrader. "Lincoln instructed Magruder to go to Richmond, see Judge George "W. Summers (a leading union member of the Virginia Convention, one of the five delegates to the 'Peace Congress') and urge Summers to 'come te Washington, at once, by next Friday' to confer with Lincoln on 'matters of great import- ance,' and if Summers could not come, then for Summers to 'select a union man to come.' "Magruder went to Richmond that night (Tuesday, April 2nd). He saw Judge Summers, who, being unable to leave Rich- mond, consulted other union men, and they selected and sent John B. Baldwin, a fellow member, union man, to 'confer with Lincoln. ' "Baldwin was in secret conference with Lincoln, Thursday morning, April 4th. Baldwin advised, urged Lincoln to call a conference of the states, and to issue a ' peaceful union proclama- tion, ' giving official assurance of what Lincoln had so broadly preached of 'yearning for peace.' "Lincoln said, 'I fear you are too late.' Lincoln kneiv he then had four secret war expeditions moving. "Lincoln appealed to Baldwin: " 'Why don't you adjourn the convention? Yes, I mean sine die. It is a standing menace to me.' 22 "Lincoln" was afraid of that convention. ''Baldwin refused to have the convention 'adjourned,' and warned Lincoln: 'If a gun is fired, Virginia will secede in 48 hours. ' "Baldwin could get no assurance from Lincoln, whose object was to 'adjourn' that convention. , "As Baldwin left, he met, and spoke to, 'Seven Governors' waiting in Lincoln's rooms. "This is the only authentic statement I have seen 0f these mysterious 'Seven Governors' who were credited with urging Lincoln to 'use force.' "Lincoln had made the war inevitable, before this meeting. "Ten days later, after three of Lincoln's secret and treacher- ous acts had culminated in open war, this collosal 'yearning' hyp- ocrit 'proclaimed' war, and gave as his excuse that the South fired on Port Sumter. He also called Congress to meet in special session; but 'cunningly' postponed its assembling eighty days to July 4th, 1861. "He could have convened Congress in ten days. He did "con- vene' an army at Washington, in less than ten days. To com- vene Congress in ten days would have hampered Lincoln's schemes. "That Virginia Convention had not 'adjourned,' and that union convention voted to secede, 88 to 55, ' within 48 hours, ' ae Col. Baldwin had warned; Baldwin and Summers both voting for secession. "As to Seward, and his assurances to Judge Campbell, as t* Port Sumter; the following document is distinct enough to fix his treachery : (Extracts) Hd. Qurs. of the Army, (Confidential) Washington, April 4th, 1861. "Sir: (i) This will be handed to you by Captain G. V. Fox, an ex- officer of the Navy. He is charged by authority here, with the command of an expedition (under cover of certain ships of war) whose object is, to reinforce Port Sumter. To embark with Captain Pox, you will cause a detachment of recruits, say about 200, to be immediately organized at Port Columbus, with competent number of officers, arms, ammunition, and subsistence, with other necessaries needed for the augment- ed garrison at Port Sumter. Consult Captain Fox, etc. (Signed) WINFIELD SCOTT. To Lieut. Col. H. L. Scott, Aide de Camp." 23 I commented again: Why, the official notice sent to Governor Pickens was thai '-Fort Sumter will be supplied, peaceably if allowed, forcibly if necessary." These are orders to "reinforce Fort Sumter." You are questioning the truth of this official notice. "Exactty that," responded the Blade. The Blade mused a moment, then continued: "There is more yet of April 1st. Having three 'expeditions' underlay to 'reinforce' Forts Pickens and Sumter, each an act of war, Lincoln decided to send a fourth expedition, to hasten, and insure war, by a direct and violent use of force. "This expedition he planned and organized personally. In it he deceived his Secretary of the Navy! and kept the War De- partment in ignorance. Even Fox never knew of it until all was over. "For this expedition Lincoln selected Lieutenant D. D. Por- ter, U. S. N., and ordered him to take the fastest ship of war in the Atlantic squadron. ' ' Here are the orders : "Executive Mansion, Washington, April 1st, 1861. "Sir: (2) You will proceed to New York and with least possible delay assume command of any steamer available. Proceed to Pensacola Harbor, and, at any cost or risk, prevent any expedition from the main land reaching Fort Piekens, or Santa Rosa. You will exhibit this order to any Naval Officer at Pensacola, if you deem it necessary, after you have established yourself within the harbor. This order, its object, and your destination will be communi- cated to no person whatever, until you reach the harbor of Pen- sacola. (Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN. To Lieutenant D. D. Porter, U. S. Navy. Recommended : (Signed) Wm. H. Seward." "Lincoln knew there was an armistice existing at Pensacola. The narrow channel leading into the 'harbor' was guarded by more than 100 Confederate guns. "This order was to violate the harbor and force a passage into the 'harbor of Pensacola.' It was war! 24 "One of the forts guarding this channel, 'Barrancas,' wa* commanded by Captain Theodore O'Hara, C. S. Army.* ' ' On the same day Lincoln sent the following telegram : " Washington, April 1st, 186.1. (3) ''Fit out Powhatan to go to sea at the earliest possible mo- ment, under sealed orders. Orders by a confidential messenger go forward tomorrow. (Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN. To Commandant Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N. Y." ' ' The following order was also sent confirming the telegram : "Executive Mansion, April 1st, 1861. /'Sir: (3) You will fit out the Powhatan without delay. Lieutenant Porter will relieve Captain Mercer in command of her. She is bound on secret service; and you will under no circumstances communicate to the Navy Department the fact that she is fitting out. ' (Signed) ABRAHAM LINCOLN. To Commandant Navy Yard, New York. ' ' (14) "The Powhatan had just made the run Havana to New York in five days. She could probably make New York to Pen- sacola in the same time. "The signatures of these conspirators to these orders brands Abraham Lincoln's 'yearnings' as hypocritical winnings; his inaugural assurances, ' The Government will not assail you, ' and his statements to A. B. Magruder and John B. Baldwin as ex- actly characteristic. "It brands every statement of his henchmen and co-conspira- tor, Seward, to which Lincoln was privy, as deliberate, willful, malicious, conspiring treachery. ' ' On this same day, April 1st, the Secretary of the Navy, being ignorant of Lincoln's secret orders to Powhatan, added the Pow- hatan to the Lincoln-Fox-Fort Sumter expedition, with her Cap- tain, Mercer, in command of the fleet, as the following shows : "Telegram. "Washington, April 1st. 1861. (4) Fit out Powhatan to go to sea at earliest possible moment. (Signed) GIDEON WELLES, Secty. of Navy. To Commandant Navy Yard, Brooklyn, N. Y." "It appears that the Secretary of Navy was urging the Povr- * Author of "Bivouac of the Dead." Soon after this O'Hara was elected Colonel of 12th Regiment Alabama Vol- unteers. Later he was Chief of Staff to General John C". Breokenridge. . Tb* writer met him at Shiloh, knew him at' Columbus, and witnessed his final entombment at Frankfort. 25 hatan to be ready for the Fox expedition against Sumter, and Lincoln was secretly hurrying the same ship for Porter to use against Pensacola. "On April 5th the Secretary of Navy issued the following order to her Captain Mercer. He was still ignorant of Lincoln's order of April 1st: "(Extract) (5) "(Confidential) "Navy Dept., April 5th, 1861. "Sir: The U. S. Steamers, Powhatan, Pawnee, Pocahontas, and Har- riet Lane, will compose a naval force under your command, to be sent to the vicinity of Charleston, S. C., for the purpose of aiding in carrying out the object of an expedition of which the War Department has charge. The expedition has been intrust- ed to Captain G. V. Fox. You will leave New York with the Powhatan in time to be off Charleston bar ; 10 miles distant from and due east of the light house on the morning of the llth instant, there to await the ar- rival of the transports with troops and stores. The Pawnee and Pocahontas will be ordered to join you there, at the time men- tioned, and also the Harriet Lane, etc. (Signed) GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of Navy. To Captain Samuel Mercer, Comdg. U. S. S. Powhatan, New York." (6) "Regardless of this order, on April 6th, Lieut Porter, on the Powhatan, sailed, under Lincoln's orders. "Seward must have repented, lost his nerve, for he 'funked' and sent the following: "Telegram. "April 6th, 1861. (7) "Give the Powhatan up to Captain Mercer. (Signed) SEWARD. To Lieutenant D. D. Porter." "Porter had sailed. A dispatch boat was sent with this 'tele- gram' to overtake the Powhatan, which it did, and Lieutenant Porter answered, as follows : "April 6th, 1861. (8) "I received my orders from the President, and shall proceed and execute them. (Signed) D. D. PORTER To Hon. Wm. H. Seward." 26 ' ' Before sailing on 6th, Lieutenant Porter instructed the Nayy Yard officials, 'Detain all letters for five days.' "He evidently expected to reach his destination by 'April llth.' " 'Storms' and 'defective boilers' delayed the Powhatan, and Lieutenant Porter did not reach Pensacola at the expected time. When he arrived he had the Powhatan 'disguised' and 'flying English colors.' Being ignorant of events at Fort Pickens (and Sumter) he headed direct for the channel, to force an entrance to ' Pensacola harbor. ' Here is what Porter himself says, in his Report : (10) " 'I had disguised the ship, so that she deceived those who had known her, and was standing in (unnoticed), when the Wyandotte commenced making signals, which I did not answer, but stood on. The steamer then put herself in my way and Captain Meigs, who was aboard, hailed me "and I stopped. In twenty minutes more I should have been inside (Pensacola harbor) or .sunk. (Signed) D. D. PORTER, U. S. Navy." ''This aetioii, itself, was eloquent of the design, purpose of Lincoln's secret, specific 'orders' to Lieutenant Porter dated April 1st, 1861, to force war ! "Lincoln's 'cunning which was genius' was exemplified in the fact that he had four 'expeditions' at the same time, to force war, at points five hundred miles apart, and neither of the offi- cers in command of an 'expedition' knew of the existence, the object nor the destination of either of the others. "That these 'secret expeditions' seem to have been designed to culminate on 'the llth instant" is a remarkably suggestive, if not indicative, coincidence. " 'Rough weather, 'gales,' 'storms,' 'defecetive boilers,' caus- ing delays; and Adams' refusal to obey orders, all combined to make a rather tangled web. of 'Honest Abe's' secret treachery. But notwithstanding all these delays and misfits, the facts estab- lish that open war was averted on April 1st, 1861. ,by Captain Adams, who was reproved for it ; that this delayed act was ac- complished by Vogdes, on the night of April llth, 1861; before Fort Sumter was 'fired on' (April 12th. 1861.) 27 "Had Fort Sumter not existed, there would have been open war forced on the South, at Fort Pickens, on April 1st, 1861, if Captain Adams had obeyed positive 'orders.' That was the avowed 'wish and intention.' ; After a moment of silence, I commented : (12) I recall that Captain Barren of U. S. Navy, made a special report on the good faith being observed by both parties to the "armistice" existing at Pensacola; and that Captain Poor, U. S. Navy, reported that the Powhatan attempted to force an en- trance to Pensacola harbor, (9) "flying English colors." (13) Also, that dispatches were captured, at Charleston, which divulged that Captain Fox acted the part of a spy, and so de- ceived Governor Pickens. It is strange that histories and biographies do not mention , these facts. , The Blade retorted: "Histories and biographies are very much like Lincoln, who was often made to say things to fit into the designs of a powerful political faction. His first inaugural address was so 'doctored.' When Lincoln read that 'Gettysburg Speech' he must have won- dered at his own eloquence; for he never voiced it (as printed.) ' ' I am not guided by what histories and biographies may say ; nor by the opinions of any friend, or foe, of Lincoln. "I credit Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, with knowing what his office required him to know, and he cer- tainly knew. That premise fixed, his own words, and acts, are his passport; "This is, Coilantogle Ford!" "Lincoln fixed upon himself the responsibility for war, by telling only a part of the Truth. "It is significant, that he never convened Congress until July 4th, 1861, months after he had the war actively inaugurated. In his message to this Congress, he acknowledged having com- mitted unconstitutional acts. "The flimsy sophisms by which he attempted to excuse his usurpations would not be allowed in any court. Any school debating club would ridicule such an argument. "Congress, dazed by war, inaugurated without its knowledge or consent, (as the constitution required), received his 'mes- sage' July 4th, 1861. 28 (16) "On July 10th, a joint Resolution was introduced in the U. S. Senate to legalize Lincoln's unconstitutional acts. The first, sentence of this 'Joint Resolution' fixes its character. " Whereas, since the adjournment of Congress on the 4th day of March last, a formidable insurrection in certain states of this Union has arrayed itself in armed hostility to the government of the United States, constitutionally administered, etc.' "It is evident from the facts cited in this paper (which were not available for years after this Resolution was penned), that there was no ' Government of the United States constitutionally administered/ in existence, at the time noted. There was un- constitutional 'armed hostility' secretly organized, and sent to invade the South, while the Southern Peace Commission was in Washington 'urging' peace; and deceived by assurances of 'peaceful intent.' "The 'Joint Resolution' itself is based on Lincoln's acknuwl- edgment that the ' Government ' was not ' constitutionally admin- istered;' and the avowed object and intent of the 'Resolution' itself was to legalize the unconstitutional administration of the 'Government of the United States, by Abraham Lincoln, whose 'oath' bound him to 'preserve, protect, and defend the Consti- tution of the United States.' "Had Abraham Lincoln kept his oath and 'preserved' the 'Constitution,' the Union would have been 'preserved;' and there would have been no war. "No one knew this better than Abraham Lincoln, and his spokesman, S. P. Chase, whose defiant 'notice' I have cited. Lincoln made that 'notice' good; not his 'oath.' "The 'Joint Resolution' names the following six unconstitu- tional acts, as confessed by Lincoln: "He calls for 75,000 men, April 15th, 1861. "He proclaims a 'blockade,' April 19th, 1861. "He proclaims a second blockade, April 27th, 1861. ' ' He authorizes a military officer to suspend Habeas Corpus in Maryland and Pennsylvania, April 27th, 1861. "He calls for 35,000 volunteers, May 3rd, 1861. "He authorizes a military officer to suspend Habeas Corpus in Florida, May 10th, 1861. "Here is the enacting clause of that 'Joint Resolution :' 29 " 'Be it resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States in Congress assembled; That all the extra- ordinary acts, proclamations, and orders hereinbefore mention- ed be and the same are hereby approved, and declared to be in all respects legal and valid, to the same, and with the same effect as if they had been issued and done under the previous express authority, and direction, of the Congress of the United States.' "In this enacting clause Congress itself brands Lincoln's acts as illegal) invalid) unconstitutional." Here, I interposed to say: There is no allusion in that "Joint Resolution" to the secret, unconstitutional "orders" and "expeditions" you have cited, and which inaugurated the war, months before this Congress was allowed to convene. Lincoln's confession begins with his "proclamation" April 15th. He secretly inaugurated war March 12th. He had four secret war "expeditions" before April 5th, 1861. Why did not Lincoln tell all the truth to Congress? The Blade seemed astonished by my question : ' ' Don 't think Lincoln was a fool ! He was a knave. He never told all the trufh even 'part of the time.' "He was a 'joker,' and never knew all he told. That is why he was called 'Honest Abe.' "To have this 'Joint Resolution' adopted by Congress, all the influence of Lincoln, his Cabinet, and his 'party' was exerted, but, having no power to legalize crime, Congress refused. "The 'Joint Resolution' was never even acted on to this good day! "You may conjecture from this what would have happened if Senator Douglas had lived and been in his seat; or, if Lin- coln had told 'all the truth,' (the facts as here stated), to that Congress which was opposed to the Chase doctrines. "Impeachment was not, in either case, an improbability. "In 1861, Lincoln authorized a military officer to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus in Pennsylvania and Maryland. "A citizen of Maryland was arrested and imprisoned in a military stronghold. The citizen sued out a writ of Habeas Corpus. 30 ' ' Chief Justice, Roger B. Taney, of the U. S. Supreme Court, ordered the parties to appear before him at Baltimore. "The military officer refused to supply the court with a copy of the order of arrest; and refused to obey the writ. His ex- cuse was, that he was 'authorized by the President to suspend the writ of Habeas Corpus at his discretion,' and, that he 'sus- pends it in this case.' "Judge Taney proceeded to hear the case, ex parte, and ren- dered the court's decision. ' ' He pronounced every phase of the proceedings to be uncon- stitutional, null and void. He denied the power of the Presi- dent to suspend Habeas Corpus under any circumstances ; much iers the power to authorize a military officer to exercise it. "He ordered 'a copy' of this decision, under the seal of the United States Supreme Court, to be delivered, by a court mes- senger 'to the President of the United States.' "That was the most just and masterly rebuke ever delivered since Elijah denounced Ahab for crimes far less! "Remember, too, that Ahab also went 'softly, yearningly,' but that 'in his son's days,' God struck! ' ' The venerable Chief Justice died during Lincoln 's first term, and Lincoln appointed the constitution-defying Salmon P. Chase to succeed him. "It is pertinent to remember, that Senator Stephen A. Douglas had pointedly declared the limit of the President's powers ; and Douglas knew Lincoln. Had Mr, Douglas lived to meet with the Senate July 4th, 1861, it is almost a certainty that he would have begun impeachment proceedings; but Mr. Douglas died June 3rd, 1861. The dying words of Mr. Douglas, to his sons were eloquent of his thought, his patriotism: 'Obey the law, and support the Constitution.' "What history or biography cites the facts as to Lincoln's attempt to buy, to bribe, the Ohio Democratic committee, when Lincoln offered to 'remit' the sentence of Vallandingham? "When 'Conscription' was enforced in 1863, there was a 'riot' in New York. Among the leading men who openly denounced 'Conscription' was C. L. Vallandingham, of Ohio. Gen. Burn-- side arrested Vallandingham and he was exiled, banished, by Lincoln's order. 31 "The Democrats of Ohio through a committee of prominent leaders petitioned Lincoln to release Vallandingham from the sentence. (i3x) " 'Lincoln offered to remit the sentence of Vallandingham, if the committee of prominent democrats who petitioned for Val- landingham, would sign a statement that rebellion existed; that Constitutional measures were taken when the army and navy were used to suppress it; and each of the committee would also use his influence and power to carry on the war. "The Democratic committee refused. Vallandingham was nominated by Democrats for Governor of Ohio. " 'Vallandingham returned, without leave, from his banish- ment ', and was leader in Democratic Convention at Chicago. Au- gust 27th-29th, 1864, when McClellan was nominated. " 'Lincoln did not deem it wise to rearrest Vallandingham.' "Being characteristic, comment is unnecessary. "Much more could be said; of Martial law declared; Habeas Corpus suspended, Legislatures throttled by military force in non-seceding States, too, but surely this is sufficient to satisfy any open intelligence. "Gr. V. Fox, the Fort Sumter spy, was made 'Assistant Secre- tary of the U. S. Navy.' John L. Wor4en, the Pensacola spy, rose to be Admiral. "Who violated his official oath; violated the Constitution, and the laws; defied the Supreme Court of the United States; thus disrupting the 'C&mpact of Union?' "Who suppressed the Constitutional voice of Congress. while he, secretly, with deceit and treachery, inaugurated war? "The immutable facts answer "Abraham Lincoln. "As was said of Caesar Borgia, who was Machiavelli's model: " 'His genius was little more than the lack of principle, which allowed no scruple to stand in the way of his design. ' "Borgia, too, was idolized by his followers. A cardinal at seventeen, he convulsed his country before he was thirty; was killed, in exile, at thirty-two ; and his memory and fame rest on his crimes ! "The Record shows clearly that there was a Conspiracy led by 32 Abraham Lincoln who was impulsed by envy, and hate, of the South; and whose sole ambition was to lead in destroying. ''They rioted, without scruple, in secret depths of moral and political depravity before unknown. "No wonder that men like Mr. Jefferson Davis, Mr. Steph- ens, Admiral Semmes, Generals Johnston, Taylor, Maury and others hesitated to write freely; for a clean man, a gentle- man, could not conceive of such depths of treachery. "The wonder is, that such men as Lincoln, Chase, Seward, Welles, Blair, Fox, Worden, and their henchmen, with all their genius for cunning, unscrupulous depravity, failed to find one single act, or word, which could be tortured, even by their vile processes, into a tenable charge of duplicity, or crime, against the men whom the South put forward, and followed. "THEY TRIED IT, AND FAILED! ' ' This knowledge is a finer heritage of truth, and honor ; than is advertised in all the stone, brass, and bronze, from Boston to the Western sunset!" The voice of the Blade changed ; there came a ringing, vibrat- ing challenge in it. "No Southern statesman; no advocate of State's Rights; ever denounced the Constitution ; or the Constitutional Union ; or de- fied the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, in any speech, address, or party announcement, ever made. "No Southern state ever failed to comply, loyally, with her obligations to every other state, or to the United States, as pre- scribed, and required, by the Constitution of the United States. "I challenge refutation!" The Blade ceased. Do you wonder that I love the Blade for the dangers we have shared, and the un-afraid Truth that is in it? Its "Challenge" stands! EN-AMI. To those who may resent the thrusts of the Blade: I assert that the South did a lion's share to win the Ameri-