第11章

Thetechnicalnameis，Ibelieve，LaFayetteSquare。Thehousesrounditarefewinnumber——notexceedingthreeorfouroneachside，buttheyareamongthebestinWashington，andthewholeplaceisneatandwellkept。President\'sSquareiscertainlythemostattractivepartofthecity。Thegardenofthesquareisalwaysopen，anddoesnotseemtosufferfromanypublicillusage；bywhichcircumstanceIamagainledtosuggestthatthegardensofourLondonsquaresmightbethrownopeninthesameway。InthecenterofthisoneatWashington，immediatelyfacingthePresident\'shouse，isanequestrianstatueofGeneralJackson。Itisverybad；butthatitisnotnearlyasbadasitmightbeisprovedbyanotherequestrianstatue——ofGeneralWashington——erectedinthecenterofasmallgardenplatattheendofPennsylvaniaAvenue，nearthebridgeleadingtoGeorgetown。OfallthestatuesonhorsebackwhichIeversaw，eitherinmarbleorbronze，thisisbyfartheworstandmostridiculous。Thehorseismostabsurd，butthemansittingonthehorseismanifestlydrunk。Ishouldthinkthetimemustcomewhenthisfigureatanyratewillberemoved。

IdidnotgoinsidethePresident\'shouse，nothavinghadwhileatWashingtonanopportunityofpayingmypersonalrespectstoMr。

Lincoln。Ihadbeentoldthatthiswastobedonewithouttrouble，butwhenIinquiredonthesubjectIfoundthatthiswasnotexactlythecase。IbelievetherearetimeswhenanybodymaywalkintothePresident\'shousewithoutanintroduction；butthat，Itakeit，isnotconsideredtobetheproperwayofdoingthework。Ifoundthatsomethinglikeafavorwouldbeincurred，orthatsomedisagreeabletroublewouldbegiven，ifImadearequesttobepresented，andthereforeIleftWashingtonwithoutseeingthegreatman。

ThePresident\'shouseisnicetolookat，butitisbuiltonmarshyground，notmuchabovethelevelofthePotomac，andisveryunhealthy。Iwastoldthatallwholivetherebecomesubjecttofeverandague，andthatfewwhonowlivetherehaveescapeditaltogether。Thiscomesofchoosingthesiteofanewcity，anddecreeingthatitshallbebuiltonthisoronthatspot。Largecities，especiallyintheselatterdays，donotcollectthemselvesinunhealthyplaces。Mendesertsuchlocalities——oratleastdonotcongregateatthemwhentheircharacterisonceknown。ButthepoorPresidentcannotdeserttheWhiteHouse。Hemustmakethemostoftheresidencewhichthenationhaspreparedforhim。

OftheotherconsiderablepublicbuildingofWashington，calledtheSmithsonianInstitution，IhavesaidthatitsstylewasbastardGothic；bythisImeanthatitsmainattributesareGothic，butthatlibertieshavebeentakenwithit，which，whethertheymayinjureitsbeautyorno，certainlyaresubversiveofarchitecturalpurity。

Itisbuiltofredstone，andisnotuglyinitself。ThereisaveryniceNormanporchtoit，andlittlebitsofLombardGothichavebeenwellcopiedfromCologne。Butwindowshavebeenfittedinwithstiltedarches，ofwhichthestiltsseemtocrackandbend，sonarrowaretheyandsohigh。Andthenthetowerswithhighpinnacledroofsareamistake——unlessindeedtheybeneededtogivetothewholestructurethatnameofRomanesquewhichithasassumed。

Thebuildingisusedformuseumsandlectures，andwasgiventothecitybyoneJamesSmithsonian，anEnglishman。IcannotsaythattheCityofWashingtonseemstobegrateful，foralltowhomIspokeonthesubjecthintedthattheInstitutionwasafailure。ItistoberemarkedthatnobodyinWashingtonisproudofWashington，orofanythinginit。IftheSmithsonianInstitutionwereatNewYorkoratBoston，onewouldhaveadifferentstorytotell。

TherehasbeenanattemptmadetoraiseatWashingtonavastobelisktothememoryofWashington——thefirstinwarandfirstinpeace，asthecountryisproudtocallhim。Thisobeliskisafairtypeofthecity。Itisunfinished——notathirdofithavingasyetbeenerected——andinallhumanprobabilityeverwillremainso。Iffinished，itwouldbethehighestmonumentofitskindstandingonthefaceoftheglobe；andyet，afterall，whatwoulditbeeventhenascomparedwithoneofthegreatpyramids？Modernattemptscannotbearcomparisonwiththoseoftheoldworldinsimplevastness。Butinlieuofsimplevastness，themodernworldaimstoachieveeitherbeautyorutility。BytheWashingtonmonument，ifcompleted，neitherwouldbeachieved。Anobeliskwiththeproportionsofaneedlemaybeverygraceful；butanobeliskwhichrequiresanexpanseofflat-roofed，sprawlingbuildingsforitsbase，andofwhichtheshaftshallbeasbigasacathedraltower，cannotbegraceful。Atpresentsomethirdportionoftheshafthasbeenbuilt，andthereitstands。Noonehasawordtosayforit。

Noonethinksthatmoneywilleveragainbesubscribedforitscompletion。Isawsomewhereaboxofplate-glasskeptforcontributionsforthispurpose，andlookinginperceivedthattwohalf-dollarpieceshadbeengiven——butbothofthemwerebad。Iwastoldalsothattheabsolutefoundationoftheedificeisbad——thattheground，whichisneartheriverandswampy，wouldnotbeartheweightintendedtobeimposedonit。

Asadandsaddeningspotwasthatmarsh，asIwandereddownonitallaloneoneSundayafternoon。ThegroundwasfrozenandIcouldwalkdry-shod，buttherewasnotabladeofgrass。Aroundmeonallsideswerecattleingreatnumbers——steersandbigoxen——lowingintheirhungerforameal。Theywerebeefforthearmy，andneveragain，Isuppose，woulditbeallowedtothemtofilltheirbigmawsandchewthepatientcud。There，onthebrown，ugly，undrainedfield，withineasysightofthePresident\'shouse，stoodtheuseless，shapeless，gracelesspileofstones。ItwasasthoughI

werelookingonthegeniusofthecity。Itwasvast，pretentious，bold，boastfulwithaloudvoice，alreadytallerbymanyheadsthanotherobelisks，butneverthelessstillinitsinfancy——ugly，unpromising，andfalse。Thefounderofthemonumenthadsaid，Hereshallbetheobeliskoftheworld！andthefounderofthecityhadthoughtofhischildsomewhatinthesamestrain。Itisstillpossiblethatbothcityandmonumentshallbecompleted；butatthepresentmomentnobodyseemstobelieveintheoneorintheother。

Formyself，IhavemuchfaithintheAmericancharacter，butI

cannotbelieveeitherinWashingtonCityorintheWashingtonMonument。Theboastmadehasbeentooloud，andthefulfillmentyetaccomplishedhasbeentoosmall！

HaveIasyetsaidthatWashingtonwasdirtyinthatwinterof1861-

62？Or，Ishouldratherask，haveImadeitunderstoodthatinwalkingaboutWashingtononewadedasdeepinmudasonedoesinflounderingthroughanordinaryplowedfieldinNovember？TherewerepartsofPennsylvaniaAvenuewhichwouldhavebeenconsideredheavygroundbymosthunting-men，andthroughsomeoftheremoterstreetsnonebutlightweightscouldhavelivedlong。ThiswasthestateofthetownwhenIleftitinthemiddleofJanuary。OnmyarrivalinthemiddleofDecember，everythingwasinacloudofdust。Onewalkedthroughanatmosphereoffloatingmud；forthedirtwasponderousandthick，andverypalpableinitsatoms。Thencameaseverefrostandalittlesnow；andifonedidnotfallwhilewalking，itwasverywell。Afterthatwehadthethaw；andWashingtonassumeditsnormalwintercondition。Imustsaythat，duringthewholeofthistime，theatmospherewastomeexhilarating；butIwashardlyoutofthedoctor\'shandswhileIwasthere，andhedidnotsupportmytheoryastothegoodnessoftheair。“Itispoisonedbythesoldiers，“hesaid，“andeverybodyisill。“Butthenmydoctorwas，perhaps，alittletingedwithSouthernproclivities。

OntheVirginiansideofthePotomacstandsacountry-housecalledArlingtonHeights，fromwhichthereisafineviewdownuponthecity。ArlingtonHeightsisabeautifulspot——havingalltheattractionsofafineparkinourcountry。Itiscoveredwithgrandtimber。Thegroundisvariedandbroken，andtheprivateroadsaboutsweephereintoadellandthenupabraeside，asroadsshoulddoinsuchadomain。BelowitwasthePotomac，andimmediatelyontheothersidestandstheCityofWashington。Anycityseenthusisgraceful；andthewhitestonesofthebigbuildings，whenthesungleamsonthem，showingthedistantrowsofcolumns，seemtotellsomethingofgreatendeavorandofachievedsuccess。ItistheplacefromwhenceWashingtonshouldbeseenbythosewhowishtothinkwellofthepresentcityandofitsfutureprosperity。Butisitnotthecasethateverycityisbeautifulfromadistance？

ThehouseatArlingtonHeightsispicturesque，butneitherlargenorgood。IthasbeforeitahighGreekcolonnade，whichseemstobealmostbiggerthanthehouseitself。Hadsuchbeenbuiltinacity——

andmanysuchaporticodoesstandincitiesthroughtheStates——itwouldbeneitherpicturesquenorgraceful；buthereitissurroundedbytimber，andasthecolumnsareseenthroughthetrees，theygratifytheeyeratherthanoffendit。Theplacedidbelong，andasIthinkdoesstillbelong，tothefamilyoftheLees——ifnotalreadyconfiscated。GeneralLee，whoisorwouldbethepresentowner，bearshighcommandinthearmyoftheConfederates，andknowswellbywhattenureheholdsorislikelytoholdhisfamilyproperty。

ThefamilywerefriendsofGeneralWashington，whoseseat，MountVernon，standsabouttwelvemileslowerdowntheriverandhere，nodoubt，Washingtonoftenstood，lookingonthesitehehadchosen。

Ifhisspiritcouldstandtherenowandlookarounduponthemassesofsoldiersbywhichhiscapitalissurrounded，howwoulditaddressthecityofhishopes？Whenhesawthateveryfootoftheneighboringsoilwasdesecratedbyacamp，ortornintoloathsomefurrowsofmudbycannonandarmywagons——thatagriculturewasgone，andthateveryeffortbothofNorthandSouthwasconcentratedontheartofkilling；whenhesawthatthiswasdoneontheveryspotchosenbyhimselfforthecentertempleofaneverlastingunion，whatwouldhethensayastothatboastmadeonhisbehalfbyhiscountrymen，thathewasfirstinwarandfirstinpeace？Washingtonwasagreatman，andIbelieveagoodman。I，atanyrate，willnotbelittlehim。Ithinkthathehadthefirmnessandaudacitynecessaryforarevolutionaryleader，thathehadhonestytopreservehimfromthetemptationsofambitionandostentation，andthathehadthegoodsensetobeguidedincivilmattersbymenwhohadstudiedthelawsofsociallifeandthetheoriesoffreegovernment。Hewasjustusettenaxpropositi；andinperiodsthatmightwellhavedismayedasmallerman，hefearedneitherthethronetowhichheopposedhimselfnorthechangingvoicesofthefellow-

citizensforwhosewelfarehehadfought。Butsixtyorseventyyearswillnotsufficetogivetoamanthefameofhavingbeenfirstamongallmen。Washingtondidmuch，andIforonedonotbelievethathisworkwillperish。ButIhavealwaysfounditdifficult——Imaysayimpossible——tosoundhispraisesinhisownland。LetussupposethatacourteousFrenchmanventuresanopinionamongEnglishmenthatWellingtonwasagreatgeneral，wouldhefeeldisposedtogoonwithhiseulogiumwhenencounteredontwoorthreesidesatoncewithsuchobservationsasthefollowing:“Ishouldrathercalculatehewas；aboutthefirstthateverdidliveoreverwilllive。Why，hewhippedyourNapoleoneverlastingwheneverhemethim。Hewhippedeverybodyoutofthefield。Therewarn\'tanybodyeverlivedwasabletostandnighhim，andtherewon\'tcomeanylikehimagain。Sir，IguessourWellingtonneverhadhislikesonyoursideofthewater。Suchmencan\'tgrowinadown-troddencountryofslavesandpaupers。“UndersuchcircumstancestheFrenchmanwouldprobablybeshutup。AndwhenIstrovetospeakofWashingtonIgenerallyfoundmyselfshutupalso。

ArlingtonHeights，whenIwasatWashington，wastheheadquartersofGeneralMcDowell，thegeneraltowhomisattributed——Ibelievemostwrongfully——thelossofthebattleofBull\'sRun。Thewholeplacewasthenonecamp。Thefenceshaddisappeared。Thegardensweretroddenintomud。Theroadshadbeencuttopieces，andnewtracksmadeeverywherethroughthegrounds。Butthetimberstillremained。

Somenodoubthadfallen，butenoughstoodfortheampleornamentationoftheplace。Isawplacardsup，prohibitingthedestructionofthetrees，anditistobehopedthattheyhavebeenspared。Verylittleinthiswayhasbeensparedinthecountryallaround。

MountVernon，Washington\'sownresidence，standscloseoverthePotomac，aboutsixmilesbelowAlexandria。Itwillbeunderstoodthatthecapitalisontheeastern，orMarylandsideoftheriver，andthatArlingtonHeights，Alexandria，andMountVernonareinVirginia。TheRiverPotomacdividedthetwooldcolonies，orStatesastheyafterwardbecame；butwhenWashingtonwastobebuilt，aterritory，saidtobetenmilessquare，wascutoutofthetwoStatesandwascalledtheDistrictofColumbia。ThegreaterportionofthisdistrictwastakenfromMaryland，andonthatthecitywasbuilt。ItcomprisedthepleasanttownofGeorgetown，whichisnowasuburb——andtheonlysuburb——ofWashington。TheportionofthedistrictontheVirginiansideincludedArlingtonheights，andwentsofardowntheriverastotakeintheVirginianCityofAlexandria。Thiswastheextremewesternpointofthedistrict；butsincethatarrangementwasmade，theStateofVirginiapetitionedtohavetheirportionofColumbiabackagain，andthispetitionwasgranted。Nowitisfeltthatthelandonbothsidesoftherivershouldbelongtothecity，andthegovernmentisanxioustogetbacktheVirginiansection。ThecityandtheimmediatevicinityarefreedfromallStateallegiance，andareundertheimmediateruleoftheUnitedStatesgovernment——havingofcourseitsownmunicipality；

buttheinhabitantshavenopoliticalpower，aspoweriscountedintheStates。Theyvotefornopoliticalofficer，notevenforthePresident，andreturnnomembertoCongress，eitherasasenatororasaRepresentative。MountVernonwasneverwithintheDistrictofColumbia。

WhenIfirstmadeinquiryonthesubject，IwastoldthatMountVernonatthattimewasnottobereached；thatthoughitwasnotinthehandsoftherebels，neitherwasitinthehandsofNortherners，andthatthereforestrangerscouldnotgothere；butthis，thoughitwastoldtomeandothersbythosewhoshouldhaveknownthefacts，wasnotthecase。Ihadgonedowntheriverwithapartyofladies，andwewereoppositetoMountVernon；butonthatoccasionwewereassuredwecouldnotland。Therebels，weweretold，wouldcertainlyseizetheladies，andcarrythemoffintoSecessia。Onhearingwhich，theladieswereofcoursedoublyanxioustobelanded。Butoursterncommander，forwewereonagovernmentboat，wouldnotlistentotheirprayers，butcarriedusinsteadonboardthe“Pensacola，“asloop-of-warwhichwasnowlyingintheriver，readytogotosea，andreadyalsotorunthegantletoftherebelbatterieswhichlinedtheVirginianshoreoftheriverformanymilesdownbelowAlexandriaandMountVernon。Asloop-of-warinthesedaysmeansalargeman-of-war，thegunsofwhicharesobigthattheyonlystandononedeck，whereasafrigatewouldhavethemontwodecks，andaline-of-battleshiponthree。Ofline-of-battleshipstherewill，Isuppose，soonbenone，asthe“Warrior“isonlyafrigate。Wewentoverthe“Pensacola，“andImustsayshewasverynice，pretty，andclean。IhavealwaysfoundAmericansailorsontheirmen-of-wartobecleanandnicelooking——asmuchsoI

shouldsayasourown；butnothingcanbedirtier，moreuntidy，orapparentlymoreillpreservedthanalltheappurtenancesoftheirsoldiers。

WelandedalsoonthisoccasionatAlexandria，andsawasmelancholyandmiserableatownasthemindofmancanconceive。Itsordinarymalepopulation，countingbythevoters，is1500，andofthese700

wereintheSouthernarmy。TheplacehadbeenmadeahospitalforNorthernsoldiers，andnodoubtthesiteforthatpurposehadbeenwellchosen。Butletanywomanimaginewhatwouldbethefeelingsofherlifewhilelivinginatownusedasahospitalfortheenemiesagainstwhomherabsenthusbandwasthenfighting。Herownmanwouldbeaway——ill，wounded，dying，forwhatsheknew，withoutthecomfortofanyhospitalattendance，withoutphysic，withnoonetocomforthim；butthoseshehatedwithahatredmuchkeenerthanhiswereclosetoherhand，usingsomefriend\'shousethathadbeenforciblytaken，crawlingoutintothesununderhereyes，takingthebreadfromhermouth！LifeinAlexandriaatthistimemusthavebeensadenough。Thepeoplewereallsecessionists，butthetownwasheldbytheNorthernparty。Throughthelines，intoVirginia，theycouldnotgoatall。UptoWashingtontheycouldnotgowithoutamilitarypass，nottobeobtainedwithoutsomecausegiven。Alltradewasatanend。Innotownatthattimewastradeveryflourishing；buthereitwaskilledaltogether——exceptthatabsolutelynecessarytradeofbread。Whowouldbuybootsorcoats，orwantnewsaddles，orwastemoneyonbooks，insuchdaysasthese，insuchatownasAlexandria？Andthenoutof1500men，one-halfhadgonetofighttheSouthernbattles！AmongthewomenofAlexandriasecessionwouldhavefoundbutfewopponents。

Itwasherethatahot-brainedyoungman，namedEllsworth，waskilledintheearlydaysoftherebellion。HewasacolonelintheNorthernvolunteerarmy，andonenteringAlexandriafoundasecessionflagflyingatthechiefhotel。Insteadofsendingupacorporal\'sguardtoremoveit，herushedupandpulleditdownwithhisownhand。Ashedescended，thelandlordshothimdead，andoneofhissoldier\'sshotthelandlorddead。Itwasapitythatsobravealad，whohadrisensohigh，shouldfallsovainly；buttheyhavemadeaheroofhiminAmerica；haveinscribedhisnameonmarblemonuments，andcountedhimupamongtheirgreatmen。Inallthistheirmistakeisverygreat。Itisbadforacountrytohavenonamesworthyofmonumentalbrass；butitisworseforacountrytohavemonumentalbrassescoveredwithnameswhichhaveneverbeenmadeworthyofsuchhonor。Ellsworthhadshownhimselftobebraveandfoolish。Lethisfollybepardonedonthescoreofhiscourage，andthere，Ithink，shouldhavebeenanendofit。

IfoundafterwardthatMountVernonwasaccessible，andIrodethitherwithsomeofficersofthestaffofGeneralHeintzelman，whoseoutsidepicketswerestationedbeyondtheoldplace。I

certainlyshouldnothavebeenwellpleasedhadIbeenforcedtoleavethecountrywithoutseeingthehouseinwhichWashingtonhadlivedanddied。Tilllatelythisplacewasownedandinhabitedbyoneofthefamily，aWashington，descendedfromabrotherofthegeneral\'s；butithasnowbecomethepropertyofthecountry，undertheauspicesofMr。Everett，bywhoseexertionswasraisedthemoneywithwhichitwaspurchased。Itisalonghouse，oftwostories，built，Ithink，chieflyofwood，withaveranda，orratherlongportico，attachedtothefront，whichlooksupontheriver。Therearetwowings，orsetsofouthouses，containingthekitchenandservants\'rooms，whichwerejoinedbyopenwoodenverandastothemainbuilding；butoneoftheseverandashasgone，undertheinfluenceofyears。Bytheseasemicircularsweepisformedbeforethefrontdoor，whichopensawayfromtheriver，andtowardtheoldprimgardens，inwhich，weweretold，GeneralWashingtonusedtotakemuchdelight。Thereisnothingveryspecialaboutthehouse。

Indeed，asahouse，itwouldnowbefoundcomfortlessandinconvenient。Butthegroundfallswelldowntotheriver，andthetimber，ifnotfine，isplentifulandpicturesque。Thechiefinterestoftheplace，however，isinthetombofWashingtonandhiswife。ItmustbeunderstoodthatitwasacommonpracticethroughouttheStatestomakeafamilyburying-groundinanysecludedspotonthefamilyproperty。Ihavenotunfrequentlycomeacrosstheseinmyrambles，andinVirginiaIhaveencounteredsmall，unpretendinggravestonesunderashadyelm，datedaslatelyaseightortenyearsback。AtMountVernonthereisnowacemeteryoftheWashingtonfamily；andthere，inanopenvault——avaultopen，butguardedbyirongrating——isthegreatman\'stomb，andbyhissidethetombofMarthahiswife。AsIstoodtherealone，withnoonebytoirritatemebyassertionsoftheman\'sabsolutesupremacy，IacknowledgedthatIhadcometothefinalresting-placeofagreatandgoodman，——ofamanwhosepatriotismwas，Ibelieve，anhonestfeeling，untingedbyanypersonalambitionofaselfishnature。Thathewaspre-eminentlyasuccessfulmanmayhavebeenduechieflytotheexcellenceofhiscause，andthebloodandcharacterofthepeoplewhoputhimforwardastheirrightarmintheircontest；butthathedidnotmarthatsuccessbyarrogance，ordestroythebrightnessofhisownnamebypersonalaggrandizement，isduetoanoblenatureandtothecalmindividualexcellenceoftheman。

Consideringthecircumstancesandhistoryoftheplace，thepositionofMountVernon，asIsawit，wasveryremarkable。Itlayexactlybetweenthelinesofthetwoarmies。ThepicketsoftheNorthernarmyhadbeenextendedbeyondit，notimprobablywiththeexpressintentionofkeepingaspotsohallowedwithinthepoweroftheNortherngovernment。Butsincethewarbeganithadbeeninthehandsoftheseceders。Infact，itstoodthereinthemiddleofthebattle-field，ontheverylineofdivisionbetweenloyalismandsecession。AndthiswasthespotwhichWashingtonhadselectedastheheartandcenter，andsafestrallyinghomesteadoftheunitednationwhichheleftbehindhim。ButWashington，whenheresolvedtofoundhiscapitalonthebanksofthePotomac，knewnothingofthegloriesoftheMississippi。HedidnotdreamofthespeedyadditiontohisalreadygatheredconstellationsofthoseWesternstars——ofWisconsin，Illinois，Minnesota，andIowa；nordidhedreamofTexasconquered，Louisianapurchased，andMissouriandKansasrescuedfromthewilderness。

IhavesaidthatWashingtonwasatthattime——theChristmasof1861-

62——amelancholyplace。ThiswaspartlyowingtothedespondenttoneinwhichsomanyAmericansthenspokeoftheirownaffairs。ItwasnotthattheNorthernmenthoughtthattheyweretobebeaten，orthattheSouthernmenfearedthatthingsweregoingbadwiththeirpartyacrosstheriver；butthatnobodyseemedtohaveanyfaithinanybody。McClellanhadbeenputupasthetrueman——

exaltedperhapstooquickly，consideringthelimitedopportunitiesfordistinguishinghimselfwhichfortunehadthrowninhisway；butnowbeliefinMcClellanseemedtobeslippingaway。Onefeltthatitwassofromdaytoday，thoughitwasimpossibletodefinehoworwhencethefeelingcame。Andthenthecharacteroftheministryfaredstillworseinpublicestimation。ThatLincoln，thePresident，washonest，andthatChase，theSecretaryoftheTreasury，wasable，wastheonlygoodthatoneheardspoken。AtthistimetwoJonahswerespeciallypointedoutasnecessarysacrifices，bywhoseimmersionintothecomfortlessoceanofprivatelifetheshipmightperhapsbesaved。ThesewereMr。Cameron，theSecretaryofWar，andMr。Welles，theSecretaryoftheNavy。ItwassaidthatLincoln，whenpressedtoridhiscabinetofCameron，hadreplied，thatwhenamanwascrossingastreamthemomentwashardlyconvenientforchanginghishorse；butitcametothatatlast，thathefoundhemustchangehishorse，evenintheverysharpestrunoftheriver。Betterthatthansitananimalonwhoseexertionsheknewthathecouldnottrust。SoMr。Cameronwent，andMr。StantonbecameSecretaryofWarinhisplace。ButMr。Cameron，thoughputoutofthecabinet，wastobesavedfromabsolutedisgracebybeingsentasMinistertoRussia。IdonotknowthatitwouldbecomemeheretorepeattheaccusationsmadeagainstMr。Cameron，butithadlongseemedtomethatthemaintenanceinsuchaposition，atsuchatime，ofagentlemanwhohadtosustainsuchauniversalabsenceofpublicconfidence，musthavebeenmostdetrimentaltothearmyandtothegovernment。

MenwhomonemetinWashingtonwerenotunhappyaboutthestateofthings，asIhadseenmenunhappyintheNorthandintheWest。

Theyweremainlyindifferent，butwiththatsortofindifferencewhicharisesfromabreakdownoffaithinanything。“Therewasthearmy！Yes，thearmy！Butwhatanarmy！Nobodyobeyedanybody。

Nobodydidanything！Nobodythoughtofadvancing！Therewere，perhaps，twohundredthousandmenassembledroundWashington；andnowtheeffortofsupplyingthemwithfoodandclothingwasasmuchascouldbeaccomplished！Butthecontractors，inthemeantime，werebecomingrich。Andthenastothegovernment！Whotrustedit？

WhowouldputtheirfaithinSewardandCameron？Cameronwasnowgone，itwastrue；andinthatwaythewholeofthecabinetwouldsoonbebrokenup。AstoCongress，whatcouldCongressdo？Askquestionswhichnoonewouldcaretoanswer，andfinallygetitselfpackedupandsenthome。“ThePresidentandtheConstitutionfarednobetterinmen\'smouths。Theformerdidnothing——neitherharmnorgood；andasforthelatter，ithadbrokendownandshownitselftobeinefficient。Somenate，anddrank，andlaughed，waitingtillchaosshouldcome，secureinthebeliefthattheatomsintowhichtheirworldwouldresolveitselfwouldconnectthemselvesagaininsomeotherformwithouttroubleontheirpart。

AndatWashingtonIfoundnostrongfeelingagainstEnglandandEnglishconducttowardAmerica。“Wemenoftheworld，“aWashingtonmanmighthavesaid，“knowverywellthateverybodymusttakecareofhimselffirst。Weareverygoodfriendswithyou——ofcourse，andareverygladtoseeyouatourtablewheneveryoucomeacrossthewater；butasforrejoicingatyourjoys，orexpectingyoutosympathizewithoursorrows，weknowtheworldtoowellforthat。

Wearesplittingintopieces，andofcoursethatisgaintoyou。

Takeanothercigar。“Thispolite，fashionable，andcertainlycomfortablewayoflookingatthematterhadneverbeenattainedatNewYorkorPhiladelphia，atBostonorChicago。TheNorthernprovincialworldoftheStateshaddeclaredtoitselfthatthosewhowerenotwithitwereagainstit；thatitsneighborsshouldbeeitherfriendsorfoes；thatitwouldunderstandnothingofneutrality。Thiswasoftenmortifyingtome，butIthinkIlikeditbetteronthewholethanthelaisser-allerindifferenceofWashington。

EverybodyacknowledgedthatsocietyinWashingtonhadbeenalmostdestroyedbythelossoftheSouthernhalfoftheusualsojournersinthecity。TheSenatorsandmembersofgovernment，whoheretoforehadcomefronttheSouthernStates，hadnodoubtspentmoremoneyinthecapitalthantheirNorthernbrethren。Theyandtheirfamilieshadbeenmoreaddictedtosocialpleasures。TheyarethedescendantsoftheoldEnglishCavaliers，whereastheNorthernmenhavecomefromtheoldEnglishRoundheads。Orif，asmaybethecase，thebloodoftheraceshasnowbeentoowellmixedtoallowofthisbeingsaidwithabsolutetruth，yetsomethingofthemannersoftheoldforefathershasbeenleft。TheSoutherngentlemanismoregenial，lessdry——Iwillnotsaymorehospitable，butmoregiventoenjoyhospitalitythanhisNorthernbrother；andthisdifferenceisquiteasstrongwiththewomenaswiththemen。ItmaythereforebeunderstoodthatsecessionwouldbeveryfataltothesocietyofWashington。ItwasnotonlythatthemembersofCongresswerenotthere。AstoverymanyoftheRepresentatives，itmaybesaidthattheydonotbelongsufficientlytoWashingtontomakeapartofitssociety。ItisnoteveryRepresentativethatis，perhaps，qualifiedtodoso。ButsecessionhadtakenawayfromWashingtonthosewhoheldpropertyintheSouth——whowereboundtotheSouthbyanyties，whetherpoliticalorother；whobelongedtotheSouthbyblood，education，andoldhabits。Inverymanycases——nay，inmostsuchcases——ithadbeennecessarythatamanshouldselectwhetherhewouldbeafriendtotheSouth，andthereforearebel；orelseanenemytotheSouth，andthereforeuntruetoallthepredilectionsandsympathiesofhislife。Herehasbeenthehardship。Forsuchpeopletherehasbeennoneutralitypossible。Ladiesevenhavenotbeenabletoprofessthemselvessimplyanxiousforpeaceandgood-

will，andsotoremaintranquil。Theywhoarenotformeareagainstme，hasbeenspokenbyonesideandbytheother。AndI

supposethatinallcivilwaritisnecessarythatitshouldbeso。

IheardofvariouscasesinwhichfatherandsonhadespouseddifferentsidesinorderthatpropertymightberetainedbothintheNorthandintheSouth。UndersuchcircumstancesitmaybesupposedthatsocietyinWashingtonwouldbeconsiderablycutup。Allthismadetheplacesomewhatmelancholy。

CHAPTERII。

CONGRESS。

IntheinterioroftheCapitolmuchspaceisatpresentwasted，butthisarisesfromthefactofgreatadditionstotheoriginalplanhavingbeenmade。Thetwochambers——thatoftheSenateandtheRepresentatives——areinthetwonewwings，onthemiddleorwhatwecallthefirstfloor。Theentranceismadeunderadometoalargecircularhall，whichishungaroundwithsurelytheworstpicturesbywhichanationeversoughttoglorifyitsowndeeds。ThereareyardsofpaintingsatVersailleswhicharebadenough；butthereisnothingatVersaillescomparableinvillanytothehugedaubswhicharepreservedinthishallattheCapitol。Itisstrangethatevenself-laudatorypatriotismshoulddesiretheperpetuationofsuchrubbish。WhenIwastherethenewdomewasstillinprogress；andanuglycolumnofwood-work，requiredforinternalsupportandaffordingastaircasetothetop，stoodinthishall。Thisofcoursewasatemporaryandnecessaryevil；buteventhiswashungaroundwiththevilestofportraits。

Fromthehall，turningtotheleft，iftheentrancebemadeatthefrontdoor，onegoestothenewChamberofRepresentatives，passingthroughthatwhichwastheoldchamber。ThisisnowdedicatedtotheexpositionofvariousnewfiguresbyCrawford，andtothesaleoftartsandgingerbread——ofverybadtartsandgingerbread。Letthatoldwomanlooktoit，orletthehousedismissher。Infact，thischamberisnowbutavestibuletoapassage——asecondhall，asitwere，andthusthrownaway。Changesprobablywillbemadewhichwillbringitintosomeuseorsomeschemeofornamentation。FromthisapassagerunstotheRepresentativeChamber，passingbetweenthosetell-talewindows，which，lookingtotherightandleft，proclaimthetenuityofthebuilding。Thewindowsononeside——thatlookingtotheeastorfront——should，Ithink，beclosed。Theappearance，bothfromtheinsideandfromtheoutside，wouldbethusimproved。

TheRepresentativeChamberitself——whichofcourseanswerstoourHouseofCommons——isahandsome，commodiousroom，admirablyfittedforthepurposesrequired。Itstrikesoneasratherlow；butI

doubt，ifitwerehigher，whetheritwouldbebetteradaptedforhearing。Evenatpresentitisnotperfectinthisrespectasregardsthelistenersinthegallery。Itisahandsome，longchamber，lightedbyskylightsfromtheroof，andisamplylargeenoughforthenumbertobeaccommodated。TheSpeakersitsoppositetothechiefentrance，hisdeskbeingfixedagainsttheoppositewall。HeisthusbroughtnearertothebodyofthemenbeforehimthanisthecasewithourSpeaker。Hesitsatamarbletable，andtheclerksbelowhimarealsoaccommodatedwithmarble。Everyrepresentativehashisownarm-chair，andhisowndeskbeforeit。

Thismaybedoneforahouseconsistingofabouttwohundredandfortymembers，butcouldhardlybecontrivedwithus。Thesedesksarearrangedinasemicircularform，orinabroadhorseshoe，andeverymemberashesitsfacestheSpeaker。Ascoreorsooflittleboysarealwaysrunningaboutthefloorministeringtothemembers\'

wishes——carryinguppetitionstothechair，bringingwatertolong-

windedlegislators，deliveringandcarryingoutletters，andrunningwithgeneralmessages。Theydonotseemtointerruptthecourseofbusiness，andyettheyaretheliveliestlittleboysIeversaw。

Whenamemberclapshishands，indicatingadesireforattendance，threeorfourwilljockeyforthehonor。Onthewhole，Ithoughtthelittleboyshadagoodtimeofit。

ButnotsotheSpeaker。ItseemedtomethattheamountofworkfallingupontheSpeaker\'sshoulderswascruellyheavy。Hisvoicewasalwaysringinginmyearsexactlyasdoesthevoiceofthecroupieratagambling-table，whogoesondeclaringandexplainingtheresultsofthegame，andwhogenerallydoessoinsharp，loud，ringingtones，fromwhichallinterestintheproceedingitselfseemstobeexcluded。ItwasjustsowiththeSpeakerintheHouseofRepresentatives。Thedebatewasalwaysfullofinterruptions；

butoneveryinterruptiontheSpeakeraskedthegentlemaninterruptedwhetherhewouldconsenttobesotreated。“ThegentlemanfromIndianahasthefloor。““ThegentlemanfromOhiowishestoaskthegentlemanfromIndianaaquestion。““ThegentlemanfromIndianagivespermission。““ThegentlemanfromOhio！“——theselastwordsbeingasummonstohimofOhiotogetupandaskhisquestion。“ThegentlemanfromPennsylvaniarisestoorder。““ThegentlemanfromPennsylvaniaisinorder。“AndthentheHouseseemsalwaystobevoting，andtheSpeakerisalwaysputtingthequestion。“ThegentlemenwhoagreetotheamendmentwillsayAye。“Notasoundisheard。“ThegentlemenwhoopposetheamendmentwillsayNo。“Againnotasound。“TheAyeshaveit，“

saystheSpeaker，andthenhegoesonagain。Allthishedoeswithamazingrapidity，andisalwaysatitwiththesamehard，quick，ringing，uninterestedvoice。ThegentlemanwhomIsawinthechairwasveryclever，andquiteuptothetask。Butasfordignity——！

Perhapsitmightbefoundthatanygreataccessionofdignitywouldimpedethecelerityoftheworktobedone，andthataclosercopyoftheBritishmodelmightnotonthewholeincreasetheefficiencyoftheAmericanmachine。

Whenanymatterofrealinterestoccasionedavote，theayesandnoeswouldbegivenaloud；andthen，iftherewereadoubtarisingfromthevolumeofsound，theSpeakerwoulddeclarethatthe“ayes“

orthe“noes“wouldseemtohaveit！Anduponthisapollwouldbedemanded。InsuchcasestheSpeakercallsontwomembers，whocomeforthandstandfrontingeachotherbeforethechair，makingagangway。Throughthistheayeswalklikesheep，thetellersgivingthemanacceleratingpokewhentheyfailtogoonwithrapidity。

Thustheyarecounted，andthenoesarecountedinthesameway。Itseemedtomethatitwouldbeverypossibleinadishonestlegislatortovotetwiceonanysubjectofgreatinterest；butitmayperhapsbethecasethattherearenodishonestlegislatorsinthehouseofRepresentatives。

AccordingtoalistwhichIobtained，thepresentnumberofmembersis173，andthereare63vacanciesoccasionedbysecession。NewYorkreturns33members；Pennsylvania，25；Ohio，21；Virginia，13；

MassachusettsandIndiana，11；TennesseeandKentucky，10；SouthCarolina，6；andsoon，tillDelaware，Kansas，andFloridareturnonly1each。WhentheConstitutionwasframed，Pennsylvaniareturned8，andNewYorkonly6；whereasVirginiareturned10，andSouthCarolina5，Fromwhichmaybegatheredtherelativerateofincreaseinpopulationofthefree-soilStatesandtheslaveStates。

AlltheseStatesreturntwoSenatorseachtotheotherHouse——KansassendingasmanyasNewYork。TheworkintheHousebeginsattwelvenoon，andisnotoftencarriedonlateintotheevening。Indeed，this，Ithink，isneverdonetilltowardtheendofthesession。

TheSenatehouseisintheoppositewingofthebuilding，thepositionoftheonehouseansweringexactlytothatoftheother。

Itissomewhatsmaller，butis，asamatterofcourse，muchlesscrowded。Thereare34States，and，therefore，68seatsand68desksonlyarerequired。Thesealsoarearrangedinahorseshoeform，andfacethePresident；buttherewasasadarrayofemptychairswhenI

wasinWashington，nineteenortwentyseatsbeingvacantinconsequenceofsecession。InthishousetheVice-PresidentoftheUnitedStatesactsasPresident，buthasbynomeanssohardajobofworkashisbrotherontheothersideoftheway。Mr。HannibalHamlin，fromMaine，nowfillsthischair。Iwasdriven，whileinWashington，toobservesomethingamountingalmosttoapeculiarityintheChristiannamesofthegentlemenwhowerethenadministratingthegovernmentofthecountry。Mr。AbrahamLincolnwasthePresident；Mr。HannibalHamlin，theVice-President；Mr。GalushaGrow，theSpeakeroftheHouseofRepresentatives；Mr。SalmonChase，theSecretaryoftheTreasury；Mr。CalebSmith，theAttorney-

General；Mr。SimonCameron，theSecretaryofWar；andMr。GideonWelles，theSecretaryoftheNavy。

IntheSenateHouse，asintheotherhouse，thereareverycommodiousgalleriesforstrangers，runningroundtheentirechambers，andthesegalleriesareopentoalltheworld。AswithallsuchplacesintheStates，alargeportionofthemisappropriatedtoladies。ButIcameatlasttofindthatthewordladysignifiedafemaleoradecentlydressedman。AnyarrangementforclassesisinAmericaimpossible；theseatsintendedforgentlemenmust，asamatterofcourse，beopentoallmen；butbygivinguptotheroughersexhalftheamountofaccommodationnominallydevotedtoladies，thedesirabledivisionistoacertainextentmade。IgenerallyfoundthatIcouldobtainadmittancetotheladies\'galleryifmycoatweredecentandIhadgloveswithme。

Alltheadjunctsofboththesechambersarerichandingoodkeeping。Thestaircasesareofmarble，andtheoutsidepassagesandlobbiesarenobleinsizeandineverywayconvenient。OneknowswellthetroubleofgettingintotheHouseofLordsandHouseofCommons，andthewantofcomfortwhichattendsonethere；andanEnglishmancannotfailtomakecomparisonsinjurioustohisowncountry。Itwouldnot，perhaps，bepossibletowelcomealltheworldinLondonasisdoneinWashington，buttherecanbenogoodreasonwhythespacegiventothepublicwithusshouldnotequalthatgiveninWashington。But，sofararewefromshelteringthepublic，thatwehavemadeourHouseofCommonssosmallthatitwillnotevenholdallitsownmembers。

Ihadanopportunityofbeingpresentatoneoftheirfielddaysinthesenate，SlidellandMasonhadjustthenbeensentfromFortWarrenacrosstoEnglandintheRinaldo。AndhereImayaswellsaywhatfurtherthereisformetosayaboutthosetwoheroes。IwasinBostonwhentheyweretaken，andallBostonwasthenfullofthem。IwasatWashingtonwhentheyweresurrendered，andatWashingtonforatimetheirnamesweretheonlyhouseholdwordsinvogue。TomeithadfromthefirstbeenamatterofcertaintythatEnglandwoulddemandtherestitutionofthemen。Ihadneverattemptedtoarguethematteronthelegalpoints，butIfelt，asthoughbyinstinct，thatitwouldbeso。Firstofalltherereachedus，bytelegramfromCapeRace，rumorsofwhatthepressinEnglandwassaying；rumorsofameetinginLiverpool，andrumorsofthefeelinginLondon。Andthenthepapersfollowed，andwegotourprivateletters。ItwassomedaysbeforeweknewwhatwasactuallythedemandmadebyLordPalmerston\'scabinet；andduringthistime，throughthefiveorsixdayswhichwerethuspassed，itwascleartobeseenthattheAmericanfeelingwasundergoingagreatchange——orifnotthefeeling，atanyratethepurpose。MennowtalkedofsurrenderingtheseCommissioners，asthoughitwerealineofconductwhichMr。Sewardmightfindconvenient；andthenmenwentfurther，andsaidthatMr。Sewardwouldfindanyotherlineofconductveryinconvenient。Thenewspapers，oneafteranother，cameround。That，underallthesecircumstances，theStatesgovernmentbehavedwellinthematter，noone，Ithink，candeny；butthenewspapers，takenasawhole，werenotveryconsistent，and，I

think，notverydignified。TheyhaddeclaredwiththroatsofbrassthatthesemenshouldneverbesurrenderedtoperfidiousAlbion；butwhenitcametobeunderstoodthatinallprobabilitytheywouldbesosurrendered，theyveeredroundwithoutanexcuse，andspokeoftheirsurrenderasofathingofcourse。Andthus，inthecourseofaboutaweek，thewholecurrentofmen\'smindswasturned。Formyself，onmyfirstarrivalatWashington，Ifeltcertainthattherewouldbewar，andwaspreparingmyselfforaquickreturntoEngland；butfromthemomentthatthefirstwhisperofEngland\'smessagereachedus，andthatIbegantohearhowitwasreceivedandwhatmensaidaboutit，IknewthatIneednothurrymyself。Onemetaministerhere，andaSenatorthere，andanonsomewisediplomaticfunctionary。Bynoneofthesegravemenwouldanysecretbedivulged；noneofthemhadanysecretreadyfordivulging。Butitwastobereadineverylookoftheeye，ineverytouchofthehand，andineveryfallofthefootofeachofthem，thatMasonandSlidellwouldgotoEngland。

Thenwehad，inallthefullnessofdiplomaticlanguage，LordRussell\'sdemand，andMr。Seward\'sanswer。LordRussell\'sdemandwaswordedinlanguagesomild，wassodevoidofthreat，wassofreefromanger，thatatthefirstreadingitseemedtoaskfornothing。

Italmostdisappointedbyitsmildness。Mr。Seward\'sreply，ontheotherhand，byitslengthofargumentation，byacertainsharpnessofdiction，towhichthatgentlemanisaddictedinhisStatepapers，andbyatoneofsatisfactioninherentthroughitall，seemedtodemandmorethanheconceded。But，intruth，LordRussellhaddemandedeverything，andtheUnitedStatesgovernmenthadconcededeverything。

IhavesaidthattheAmericangovernmentbehavedwellinitsmodeofgivingthemenup，andIthinkthatsomuchshouldbeallowedtothemonareviewofthewholeaffair。ThatCaptainWilkeshadnoinstructionstoseizethetwomen，isaknownfact。Hedidseizethem，andbroughtthemintoBostonharbor，tothegreatdelightofhiscountrymen。ThisdelightIcouldunderstand，thoughofcourseI

didnotshareit。OneofthesemenhadbeentheparentoftheFugitiveSlaveLaw；theotherhadbeengreatinfosteringthesuccessoffilibustering。Bothofthemwerehotsecessionists，andundoubtedlyrebels。NotwomenonthecontinentweremoregrievousintheirantecedentsandpresentcharacterstoallNorthernfeeling。

Itisimpossibletodenythattheywererebelsagainstthegovernmentoftheircountry。ThatCaptainWilkeswasnotonthisaccountjustifiedinseizingthem，isnowamatterofhistory；butthatthepeopleoftheloyalStatesshouldrejoiceintheirseizure，wasamatterofcourse。Wilkeswasreceivedwithanovation，whichasregardedhimwasilljudgedandundeserved，butwhichinitsspiritwasnatural。HadthePresident\'sgovernmentatthatmomentdisownedthedeeddonebyWilkes，anddeclareditsintentionofgivingupthemenunasked，theclamorraisedwouldhavebeenverygreat，andperhapssuccessful。WeweretoldthattheAmericanlawyerswereagainsttheirdoingso；andindeedtherewassuchashoutoftriumphthatnoministryinacountrysodemocraticcouldhaveventuredtogoatonceagainstit，andtodosowithoutanyexternalpressure。

Thencametheoneministerialblunder。ThePresidentputforthhismessage，inwhichhewascunninglysilentontheSlidellandMasonaffair；buttohismessagewasappended，accordingtocustom，thereportfromMr。Welles，theSecretaryoftheNavy。InthisreportapprovalwasexpressedofthedeeddonebyCaptainWilkes。CaptainWilkeswasthusinallrespectsindemnified，andtheblame，ifany，wastakenfromhisshouldersandputontotheshouldersofthatofficerwhowasresponsiblefortheSecretary\'sletter。ItistruethatinthatlettertheSecretarydeclaredthatincaseofanyfutureseizurethevesselseizedmustbetakenintoport，andsodeclaredinanimadvertingonthefactthatCaptainWilkeshadnotbroughtthe“Trent“intoport。But，nevertheless，SecretaryWellesapprovedofCaptainWilkes\'sconduct。HeallowedthereasonstobegoodwhichWilkeshadputforwardforleavingtheship，andinallrespectsindemnifiedthecaptain。ThentheresponsibilityshifteditselftoSecretaryWelles；butIthinkitmustbeclearthatthePresident，insendingforwardthatreport，tookthatresponsibilityuponhimself。ThatheisnotboundtosendforwardthereportsofhisSecretariesashereceivesthem——thathecandisapprovethemandrequirealteration，wasprovedattheverytimebythefactthathehadinthiswaycondemnedSecretaryCameron\'sreport，andcausedaportionofittobeomitted。SecretaryCameronhadunfortunatelyallowedhisentirereporttobeprinted，anditappearedinaNewYorkpaper。Itcontainedarecommendationwithreferencetotheslavequestionmostoffensivetoapartofthecabinet，andtothemajorityofMr。Lincoln\'sparty。This，byorderofthePresident，wasomittedintheofficialway。ItwascertainlyapitythatMr。

Welles\'sparagraphrespectingthe“Trent“wasnotomittedalso。ThePresidentwasdumbonthematter，andthatbeingsotheSecretaryshouldhavebeendumbalso。

Butwhenthedemandwasmade，theStatesgovernmentyieldedatonce，andyieldedwithoutbluster。IcannotsayImuchadmiredMr。

Seward\'slongletter。Itwasfullofsmartspecialpleading，andsavoredstrongly，asMr。Seward\'sproductionsalwaysdo，ofthepersonalauthor。Mr。SewardwasmakinganefforttoplaceagreatStatepaperonrecord，butthearscelareartemwasaltogetherwanting；and，ifIamnotmistaken，hewaswithouttheartitself。

Ithinkheleftthematterverymuchwherehefoundit。Themen，however，weretobesurrendered，andthegoodpolicyconsistedinthis，thatnodelaywassought，nodiplomaticambiguitieswereputintorequest。Itwastheopinionofverymanythatsometwoorthreemonthsmightbegainedbycorrespondence，andthatattheendofthattimethingsmightstandonadifferentfooting。IfduringthattimetheNorthshouldgainanygreatsuccessovertheSouth，theStatesmightbeinapositiontodisregardEngland\'sthreats。

Nosuchgamewasplayed。Theillegalityofthearrestwasatonceacknowledged，andthemenweregivenupwithatranquillitythatcertainlyappearedmarvelousafterallthathadsolatelyoccurred。

ThencameMr。Sumner\'sfieldday。Mr。CharlesSumnerisaSenatorfromMassachusetts，knownasaveryhotabolitionist，andashavingbeenthevictimofanattackmadeuponhimintheSenateHousebySenatorBrooks。Hewasalso，atthetimeofwhichIamwriting，ChairmanoftheCommitteeonForeignAffairs，whichpositionisasnearakintothatofaBritishministerinParliamentascanbeattainedundertheexistingConstitutionoftheStates。Itisnotsimilar，becausesuchchairmanisbynomeansboundtothegovernment；buthehasministerialrelations，andissupposedtobespeciallyconversantwithallquestionsrelatingtoforeignaffairs。

ItwasunderstoodthatMr。SumnerdidnotintendtofindfaulteitherwithEnglandorwiththegovernmentofhisowncountryastoitsmanagementofthismatter；orthat，atleast，suchfault-findingwasnothisspecialobject，butthathewasdesiroustoputforthviewswhichmightleadtoafinalsettlementofalldifficultieswithreferencetotherightofinternationalsearch。

Onsuchanoccasion，aspeakergiveshimselfverylittlechanceofmakingafavorableimpressiononhisimmediatehearersifhereadshisspeechfromawrittenmanuscript。Mr。Sumnerdidsoonthisoccasion，andImustconfessthatIwasnotedified。Itseemedtomethathemerelyrepeated，atgreaterlength，theargumentswhichI

hadheardfiftytimesduringthelastthirtyorfortydays。Iamtoldthatthediscourseisconsideredtobelogical，andthatit“reads“well。Asregardsthegistofit，orthatresultwhichMr。

Sumnerthinkstobedesirable，Ifullyagreewithhim，asIthinkwillallthecivilizedworldbeforemanyyearshavepassed。Ifinternationallawbewhatthelawyerssayitis，internationallawmustbealteredtosuittherequirementsofmoderncivilization。Bythoselaws，astheyareconstrued，everythingistobedonefortwonationsatwarwitheachother；butnothingistobedoneforallthenationsoftheworldthatcanmanagetomaintainthepeace。Thebelligerentsaretobetreatedwitheverydelicacy，aswetreatourheinouscriminals；butthepoorneutralsaretobehandledwithunjustrigor，aswehandleourunfortunatewitnessesinorderthatthemurderermay，ifpossible，beallowedtoescape。Twomenlivinginthesamestreetchoosetopelteachotheracrossthewaywithbrickbats，andtheotherinhabitantsaredeniedtheprivilegesofthefootpathlesttheyshouldinterferewiththedueprosecutionofthequarrel！Itis，Isuppose，thetruththatweEnglishhaveinsistedonthisrightofsearchwithmorepertinacitythananyothernation。NowinthiscaseofSlidellandMasonwehavefeltourselvesaggrieved，andhaveresisted。Luckilyforustherewasnodoubtoftheillegalityofthemodeofseizureinthisinstance；butwhowillsaythatifCaptainWilkeshadtakenthe“Trent“intotheharborofNewYork，inorderthatthemattermighthavebeenadjudgedthere，Englandwouldhavebeensatisfied？Ourgrievancewas，thatourmail-packetwasstoppedontheseaswhiledoingitsordinarybeneficentwork。Andourresolveis，thatourmail-packetsshallnotbesostoppedwitimpunity。Aswewerehighhandedinolddaysininsistingonthisrightofsearch，itcertainlybehovesustoseethatwebejustinourmodesofproceeding。WouldCaptainWilkeshavebeenright，accordingtotheexistinglaw，ifhehadcarriedthe“Trent“awaytoNewYork？Ifso，weoughtnottobecontentwithhavingescapedfromsuchatroublemerelythroughamistakeonhispart。LordRussellsaysthatthevoyagewasaninnocentvoyage。Thatisthefactthatshouldbeestablished；notonlythatthevoyagewas，intruth，innocent，butthatitshouldnotbemadeouttobeguiltybyanyinternationallaw。Ofitsrealinnocencyallthinkingmenmustfeelthemselvesassured。Butitisnotonlyoftheseizurethatwecomplain，butofthesearchalso。

Anhonestmanisnottobebandiedbyapolicemanwhileonhisdailywork，lestbychanceastolenwatchshouldbeinhispocket。Ifinternationallawdidgivesuchpowertoallbelligerents，internationallawmustgiveitnolonger。Inthebeginningofthesematters，asItakeit，theobjectwaswhentwopowerfulnationswereatwartoallowthesmallerfryofnationstoenjoypeaceandquiet，andtoavoid，ifpossible，thegeneralscuffle。Thencearosethepositionofaneutral。Butitwasclearlynotfairthatanysuchnation，havingproclaimeditsneutrality，should，afterthat，fetchandcarryforeitherofthecombatantstotheprejudiceoftheother。Hencecametherightofsearch，inorderthatunjustfalsehoodmightbeprevented。Buttheseaswerenotthenbridgedwithshipsastheyarenowbridged，andthelawsaswrittenwere，perhaps，thenpracticalandcapableofexecution。Nowtheyareimpracticableandnotcapableofexecution。Itwillnot，however，doforustoignorethemiftheyexist；andthereforetheyshouldbechanged。Itis，Ithink，manifestthatourownpretensionsastotherightofsearchmustbemodifiedafterthis。AndnowItrustI

mayfinishmybookwithoutagainnamingMessrs。SlidellandMason。

TheworkingoftheSenatebearslittleornoanalogytothatofourHouseofLords。Inthefirstplace，theSenator\'stenurethereisnothereditary，norisitforlife。Theyareelected，andsitforsixyears。TheirelectionisnotmadebythepeopleoftheirStates，butbytheStatelegislature。ThetwoHouses，forinstance，oftheStateofMassachusettsmeettogetherandelectbytheirjointvotetothevacantseatfortheirState。ItissoarrangedthatanentirelynewSenateisnotelectedeverysixthyear。Insteadofthisathirdofthenumberiselectedeverysecondyear。ItisacommonthingforSenatorstobere-elected，andthustoremaininthehousefortwelveandeighteenyears。InourParliamenttheHouseofCommonshasgreaterpoliticalstrengthandwiderpoliticalactionthantheHouseofLords；butinCongresstheSenatecountsformorethantheHouseofRepresentativesingeneralopinion。

MoneybillsmustoriginateintheHouseofRepresentatives，butthatis，Ithink，theonlyspecialprivilegeattachingtothepublicpursewhichtheLowerHouseenjoysovertheUpper。AmendmentstosuchbillscanbemovedintheSenate；andallsuchbillsmustpasstheSenatebeforetheybecomelaw。IaminclinedtothinkthatindividualmembersoftheSenateworkharderthanindividualRepresentatives。Moreisexpectedofthem，andanyprolongedabsencefromdutywouldbemoreremarkedintheSenatethanintheotherHouse。InourParliamentthisisreversed。ThepaymentmadetomembersoftheSenateis3000dollars，or600l。，perannum，andtoaRepresentative，500l。perannum。TothisisaddedcertainmileageallowancefortravelingbackwardandforwardbetweentheirownStateandtheCapitol。ASenator，therefore，fromCaliforniaorOregonhasnotaltogetherabadplace；butthehalcyondaysofmileageallowancesare，Ibelieve，soontobebroughttoanend。ItisquitewithinrulethattheSenatorofto-dayshouldbetheRepresentativeofto-morrow。Mr。Crittenden，whowasSenatorfromKentucky，isnowamemberoftheLowerHousefromanelectoraldistrictinthatState。JohnQuincyAdamswentintotheHouseofRepresentativesafterhehadbeenPresidentoftheUnitedStates。

DivisionsintheSenatedonottakeplaceasintheHouseofRepresentatives。Theayesandnoesarecalledforinthesameway；

butifapollbedemanded，theClerkoftheHousecallsoutthenamesofthedifferentSenators，andmakesoutlistsofthevotesaccordingtotheseparateanswersgivenbythemembers。ThemodeiscertainlymoredignifiedthanthatpursuedintheotherHouse，whereduringtheceremonyofvotingthememberslookverymuchlikesheepbeingpassedintotheirpens。

IheardtwoorthreedebatesintheHouseofRepresentatives，andthatoneespeciallyinwhich，asIhavesaidbefore，achapterwasreadoutoftheBookofJoshua。ThemannerinwhichtheCreator\'snameandtheauthorityofHisWordwasbandedaboutthehouseonthatoccasiondidnotstrikemefavorably。Thequestionoriginallyunderdebatewastherelativepowerofthecivilandmilitaryauthority。Congresshaddesiredtodeclareitsascendencyovermilitarymatters，butthearmyandtheExecutivegenerallyhaddemurredtothis，——notwithanabsolutedenialoftherightsofCongress，butwiththosecivilandalmostsilentgeneralitieswithwhichareallyexistingpowersowellknowshowtotreatanominalpower。Theascendantwifeseldomtellsherhusbandinsomanywordsthathisopinioninthehouseistogofornothing；shemerelyresolvesthatsuchshallbethecase，andactsaccordingly。AnobservercouldnotbutperceivethatinthosedaysCongresswastakinguponitselfthepart，notexactlyofanobedienthusband，butofahusbandvainlyattemptingtoasserthissupremacy。“Ihavegottolearn，“saidonegentlemanafteranother，risingindignantlyonthefloor，“thatthemilitaryauthorityofourgeneralsisabovethatofthisHouse。“Andthenonegentlemanrelievedthedifficultyofthepositionbybranchingoffintoaneloquentdiscourseagainstslavery，andbycausingachaptertobereadoutoftheBookofJoshua。

Onthatoccasionthegentleman\'sdiversionseemedtohavetheeffectofrelievingtheHousealtogetherfromtheembarrassmentoftheoriginalquestion；butitwasbecomingmanifest，daybyday，thatCongresswaslosingitsground，andthatthearmywasbecomingindifferenttoitsthunders:thatthearmywasdoingso，andalsothatministersweredoingso。IntheStates，thePresidentandhisministersarenotinfactsubjecttoanyparliamentaryresponsibility。ThePresidentmaybeimpeached，butthememberofanoppositiondoesnotalwayswishtohaverecoursetosuchanextrememeasureasimpeachment。Theministersarenotinthehouses，andcannotthereforepersonallyanswerquestions。Differentlargesubjects，suchasforeignaffairs，financialaffairs，andarmymatters，arereferredtoStandingCommitteesinbothHouses；andthesecommitteeshaverelationswiththeministers。Buttheyhavenoconstitutionalpowerovertheministers；norhavetheythemuchmorevaluableprivilegeofbadgeringaministerhitherandthitherbyvivavocequestionsoneverypointofhisadministration。Theministersitssafeinhisoffice——safethereforthetermoftheexistingPresidencyifhecankeepwellwiththepresident；andtherefore，evenunderordinarycircumstances，doesnotcaremuchfortheprintedorwrittenmessagesofCongress。Butundercircumstancessolittleordinaryasthoseof186l-62，whileWashingtonwassurroundedbyhundredsofthousandsofsoldiers，Congresswasabsolutelyimpotent。Mr。SewardcouldsnaphisfingersatCongress，andhedidso。Hecouldnotsnaphisfingersatthearmy；butthenhecouldgowiththearmy，couldkeepthearmyonhissidebyremainingonthesamesidewiththearmy；andthisasitseemedheresolvedtodo。ItmustbeunderstoodthatMr。SewardwasnotPrimeMinister。ThePresidentoftheUnitedStateshasnoPrimeMinister——orhithertohashadnone。TheMinisterforForeignAffairshasusuallystoodhighestinthecabinet，andMr。Seward，asholdingthatposition，wasnotinclinedtolessenitsauthority。HewasgraduallyassumingforthatpositiontheprerogativesofaPremier，andmenwerebeginningtotalkofMr。Seward\'sministry。

ItmayeasilybeunderstoodthatatsuchatimethepowersofCongresswouldbeundefined，andthatambitiousmembersofCongresswouldriseandassertonthefloor，withthatpeculiarvoiceofindignationsocommoninparliamentarydebate，“thattheyhadgottolearn，“etc。etc。etc。Itseemedtomethatthelessonwhichtheyhadyettolearnwasthenintheprocessofbeingtaughttothem。

TheywereanxioustobetoldallaboutthemischanceatBall\'sBluff，butnobodywouldtellthemanythingaboutit。TheywantedtoknowsomethingofthatblockadeonthePotomac；butsuchknowledgewasnotgoodforthem。“Packthemupinboxes，andsendthemhome，“

onemilitarygentlemansaidtome。AndIbegantothinkthatsomethingofthekindwouldbedone，iftheymadethemselvestroublesome。Iquoteherethemannerinwhichtheirquestions，respectingtheaffairatBall\'sBluff，wereansweredbytheSecretaryofwar。“TheSpeakerlaidbeforetheHousealetterfromtheSecretaryofWar，inwhichhesaysthathehasthehonortoacknowledgethereceiptoftheresolutionadoptedonthe6thinstant，totheeffectthattheansweroftheDepartmenttotheresolution，passedontheseconddayofthesession，isnotresponsiveandsatisfactorytotheHouse，andrequestingafartheranswer。TheSecretaryhasnowtostatethatmeasureshavebeentakentoascertainwhoisresponsibleforthedisastrousmovementatBall\'sBluff，butthatitisnotcompatiblewiththepublicinteresttomakeknownthosemeasuresatthepresenttime。“

IntruththedaysareevilforanyCongressofdebaters，whenagreatarmyisincamponeverysideofthem。Thepeoplehadcalledforthearmy，andthereitwas。ItwasofyoungerbirththanCongress，andhadthrownitselderbrotherconsiderablyoutoffavorashasbeendonebeforebymanyanew-bornbaby。IfCongresscouldamuseitselfwithafewsetspeeches，andafielddayortwo，suchasthoseaffordedbyMr。Sumner，itmightallbeverywell——providedthatsuchspeechesdidnotattackthearmy。Overandbeyondthis，letthemvotethesuppliesandhavedonewithit。WasitprobablethatGeneralMcClellanshouldhavetimetoanswerquestionsaboutBall\'sBluff——andhewithsuchajobofworkonhishands？Congresscouldofcoursevotewhatcommitteesofmilitaryinquiryitmightplease，andmightaskquestionswithoutend；butweallknowtowhatsuchquestionslead，whenthequestionerhasnopowertoforceananswerbyapenalty。IfitmightbepossibletomaintainthesemblanceofrespectforCongress，withouttoomuchembarrassmenttomilitarysecretaries，suchsemblanceshouldbemaintained；butifCongresschosetomakeitselfreallydisagreeable，thennosemblancecouldbekeptupanylonger。That，asfarasIcouldjudge，wasthepositionofCongressintheearlymonthsof1862；andthat，underexistingcircumstances，wasperhapstheonlypossiblepositionthatitcouldfill。

Allthistomewasverymelancholy。ThestreetsofWashingtonwerealwaysfullofsoldiers。Mountedsentriesstoodatthecornersofallthestreetswithdrawnsabers——shiveringinthecoldandbesmearedwithmud。Amilitarylawcameoutthatciviliansmightnotridequicklythroughthestreet。Militaryridersgallopedoveroneateveryturn，splashingaboutthroughthemud，andremindingonenotunfrequentlyofJohnGilpin。Whytheyalwayswentsofast，destroyingtheirhorses\'feetontheroughstones，Icouldneverlearn。ButI，asacivilian，givenasEnglishmenaretotrotting，andfurnishedforthetimewithanimbletrotter，foundmyselfharriedfromtimetotimebymuddymenwithsabers，whowoulddashafterme，rattlingtheirtrappings，andbidmegoataslowerpace。

ThereisabuildinginWashington，builtbyprivatemunificenceanddevoted，accordingtoaninscriptionwhichitbears，“TotheArts。“

Ithasbeenturnedintoanarmyclothingestablishment。ThestreetsofWashington，nightandday，werethrongedwitharmywagons。Allthroughthecitymilitaryhutsandmilitarytentsweretobeseen，pitchedoutamongthemudandinthedesertplaces。Thentherewasthechosenlocalityoftheteamstersandtheirmulesandhorses——awonderfulworldinitself；andallwithinthecity！Herehorsesandmuleslived——ordied——subdio，withnoslightestapologyforastableoverthem，eatingtheirprovenderfromoffthewagonstowhichtheywerefastened。Here，there，andeverywherelargehouseswereoccupiedastheheadquartersofsomeofficer，orthebureauofsomemilitaryofficial。AtWashingtonandroundWashingtonthearmywaseverything。Whilethiswasso，isittobeconceivedthatCongressshouldaskquestionsaboutmilitarymatterswithsuccess？

Allthis，asIsay，filledmewithsorrow。Ihatemilitarybelongings，andamdisgustedatseeingthegreataffairsofanationputoutoftheirregularcourse。Congresstomeisrespectable。

Parliamentarydebates——betheyeversoprosy，aswithus，orevensorowdy，assometimestheyhavebeenwithourcousinsacrossthewater——engagemysympathies。IbowinwardlybeforeaSpeaker\'schair，andlookupontheelectedrepresentativesofanynationasthechoicemenoftheage。Thosemuddy，clatteringdragoons，sittingatthecornersofthestreetswithdirtywoolencomfortersaroundtheirears，weretomehideousintheextreme。ButthereatWashington，attheperiodofwhichIamwriting，IwasforcedtoacknowledgethatCongresswasatadiscount，andthattherough-shodgeneralswerethemenoftheday。“PackthemupandsendtheminboxestotheirseveralStates。“Itwouldcometothat，Ithought，ortosomethinglikethat，unlessCongresswouldconsenttobesubmissive。“Ihaveyettolearn——！“saidindignantmembers，stampingwiththeirfeetontheflooroftheHouse。Onewouldhavesaidthatbythattimethelessonmightalmosthavebeenunderstood。

UptotheperiodofthiscivilwarCongresshascertainlyworkedwellfortheUnitedStates。Itmightbeeasytopickholesinit；

toshowthatsomemembershavebeencorrupt，othersquarrelsome，andothersagainimpracticable。Butwhenwelookatthecircumstancesunderwhichithasbeenfromyeartoyearelected；whenwerememberthepositionofthenewlypopulatedStatesfromwhichthemembershavebeensent，andtheabsencethroughoutthecountryofthatoldtraditionaryclassofParliamentmenonwhomwedependinEngland；

whenwethinkhowrecenthasbeentheelevationinlifeofthemajorityofthosewhoareandmustbeelected，itisimpossibletodenythempraiseforintellect，patriotism，goodsense，anddiligence。Theybeganbutsixtyyearsago，andforsixtyyearsCongresshasfullyansweredthepurposeforwhichitwasestablished。Withnoantecedentsofgrandeur，thenation，withitsCongress，hasmadeitselfoneofthefivegreatnationsoftheworld。AndwhatlivingEnglishpoliticianwillsayevennow，withallitstroublesthickuponit，thatitisthesmallestofthefive？

WhenIthinkofthis，andrememberthepositioninEuropewhichanAmericanhasbeenabletoclaimforhimself，IcannotbutacknowledgethatCongressonthewholehasbeenconductedwithprudence，wisdom，andpatriotism。

Thequestionnowtobeaskedisthis——HavethepowersofCongressbeensufficient，oraretheysufficient，forthecontinuedmaintenanceoffreegovernmentintheStatesundertheConstitution？

IthinkthatthepowersgivenbytheexistingConstitutiontoCongresscannolongerbeheldtobesufficient；andthatiftheUnionbemaintainedatall，itmustbedonebyacloserassimilationofitscongressionalsystemtothatofourParliament。ButtothatmatterImustalludeagain，whenspeakingoftheexistingConstitutionoftheStates。

CHAPTERIII。

THECAUSESOFTHEWAR。

IhaveseenvariousessayspurportingtodescribethecausesofthiscivilwarbetweentheNorthandSouth；buttheyhavegenerallybeenwrittenwiththeviewofvindicatingeitheronesideortheother，andhavespokenratherofcauseswhichshould，accordingtotheideasoftheirwriters，haveproducedpeace，thanofthosewhichdid，inthecourseofevents，actuallyproducewar。ThishasbeenessentiallythecasewithMr。Everett，whoinhislectureatNewYork，onthe4thofJuly，1860，recapitulatedallthegoodthingswhichtheNorthhasdonefortheSouth，andwhoproved——ifhehasprovedanything——thattheSouthshouldhavecherishedtheNorthinsteadofhatingit。AndthiswasverymuchthecasealsowithMr。

MotleyinhislettertotheLondonTimes。Thatletterisgoodinitsway，asiseverythingthatcomesfromMr。Motley，butitdoesnottelluswhythewarhasexisted。Whyisitthateightmillionsofpeoplehavedesiredtoseparatethemselvesfromarichandmightyempire——fromanempirewhichwasapparentlyonitsroadtounprecedentedsuccess，andwhichhadalreadyachievedwealth，consideration，power，andinternalwell-being？

Onewouldbegladtoimagine，fromtheessaysofMr。EverettandofMr。Motley，thatslaveryhashadlittleornothingtodowithit。I

mustacknowledgeittobemyopinionthatslaveryinitsvariousbearingshasbeenthesingleandnecessarycauseofthewar；thatslaverybeingthereintheSouth，thiswarwasonlytobeavoidedbyavoluntarydivision——secessionvoluntarybothonthepartofNorthandSouth；thatintheeventofsuchvoluntarysecessionbeingnotaskedfor，orifaskedfornotconceded，revolutionandcivilwarbecamenecessary——werenottobeavoidedbyanywisdomorcareonthepartoftheNorth。

TheargumentsusedbyboththegentlemenIhavenamedproveveryclearlythatSouthCarolinaandhersisterStateshadnorighttosecedeundertheConstitution；thatistosay，thatitwasnotopentothempeaceablytotaketheirdeparture，andtorefusefurtherallegiancetothePresidentandCongresswithoutabreachofthelawsbywhichtheywerebound。Foracertaintermofyears，namely，from1781to1787，thedifferentStatesendeavoredtomaketheirwayintheworldsimplyleaguedtogetherbycertainarticlesofconfederation。ItwasdeclaredthateachStateretaineditssovereignty，freedom，andindependence；andthatthesaidStatesthenenteredseverallyintoafirmleagueoffriendshipwitheachotherfortheircommondefense。TherewasnoPresident，noCongresstakingtheplaceofourParliament，butsimplyacongressofdelegatesorambassadors，twoorthreefromeachState，whoweretoactinaccordancewiththepolicyoftheirownindividualStates。

Itiswellthatthisshouldbethoroughlyunderstood，notasbearingonthequestionofthepresentwar，butasshowingthatalooseconfederation，notsubversiveoftheseparateindependenceoftheStates，andcapableofbeingpartiallydissolvedatthewillofeachseparateState，wastried，andwasfoundtofail。SouthCarolinatookuponherselftoactasshemighthaveactedhadthatconfederationremainedinforce；butthatconfederationwasanacknowledgedfailure。Nationalgreatnesscouldnotbeachievedunderit，andindividualenterprisecouldnotsucceedunderit。

Theninlieuofthat，bytheunitedconsentofthethirteenStates，thepresentConstitutionwasdrawnupandsanctioned，andtothateveryStatebounditselfinallegiance。InthatConstitutionnopowerofsecessioniseithernamedorpresumedtoexist。TheindividualsovereigntyoftheStateshad，inthefirstinstance，beenthoughtdesirable。Theyoungrepublicanshankeredaftertheseparatepowerandseparatenamewhicheachmightthenhaveachieved；butthatdreamhadbeenfoundvain——andthereforetheStates，atthecostofsomefondwishes，agreedtoseektogetherfornationalpowerratherthanruntherisksentaileduponseparateexistence。Thoseofmyreaderswhomaybedesirousofexaminingthismatterforthemselves，arereferredtotheArticlesofConfederationandtheConstitutionoftheUnitedStates。Thelatteraloneisclearenoughonthesubject，butisstrengthenedbytheformerinprovingthatunderthelatternoStatecouldpossessthelegalpowerofseceding。

ButtheywhocreatedtheConstitution，whoframedtheclauses，andgavetothisterriblyimportantworkwhatwisdomtheypossessed，didnotpresumetothinkthatitcouldbefinal。ThemodeofalteringtheConstitutionisarrangedintheConstitution。Suchalterationsmustbeproposedeitherbytwo-thirdsofboththehousesofthegeneralCongress，orbythelegislaturesoftwo-thirdsoftheStates；andmust，whensoproposed，beratifiedbythelegislaturesofthree-fourthsoftheStates，(ArticleV。)Therecan，Ithink，benodoubtthatanyalterationsocarriedwouldbevalid——eventhoughthatalterationshouldgototheextentofexcludingoneoranynumberofStatesfromtheUnion。AnydivisionsomadewouldbemadeinaccordancewiththeConstitution。

SouthCarolinaandtheSouthernStatesnodoubtfeltthattheywouldnotsucceedinobtainingsecessioninthisway，andthereforetheysoughttoobtaintheseparationwhichtheywantedbyrevolution——byrevolutionandrebellion，asNapleshaslatelysucceededinherattempttochangeherpoliticalstatus；asHungaryislookingtodo；

asPolandhasbeenseekingtodoanytimesincehersubjection；astherevoltedcoloniesofGreatBritainsucceededindoingin1776，wherebytheycreatedthisgreatnationwhichisnowundergoingallthesorrowsofacivilwar。ThenameofsecessionclaimedbytheSouthforthismovementisamisnomer。Ifanypartofanationalityorempireeverrebelledagainstthegovernmentestablishedonbehalfofthewhole，SouthCarolinasorebelledwhen，onthe20thofNovember，1860，sheputforthherordinanceofso-calledsecession；

andtheotherSouthernStatesjoinedinthatrebellionwhentheyfollowedherlead。Astothatfact，therecannot，Ithink，muchlongerbeanydoubtinanymind。Iinsistonthisespecially，repeatingperhapsunnecessarilyopinionsexpressedinmyfirstvolume，becauseIstillseeitstatedbyEnglishwritersthatthesecessionordinanceofSouthCarolinashouldhavebeenacceptedasapoliticalactbytheGovernmentoftheUnitedStates。Itseemstomethatnogovernmentcaninthiswayacceptanactofrebellionwithoutdeclaringitsownfunctionstobebeyonditsownpower。

Butwhatifsuchrebellionbejustifiable，orevenreasonable？whatiftherebelshavecausefortheirrebellion？Fornoonewillnowdenythatrebellionmaybebothreasonableandjustifiable；orthateverysubjectinthelandmaybeboundindutytorebel。Insuchcasethegovernmentwillbeheldtohavebroughtaboutitsownpunishmentbyitsownfault。Butasgovernmentisawideaffair，spreadingitselfgradually，andgrowinginvirtueorinvicefromsmallbeginnings——fromseedsslowtoproducetheirfruits——itismucheasiertodiscerntheincidenceofthepunishmentthantheperpetrationofthefault。Governmentgoesastraybydegrees，orsinsbytheabsenceofthatwisdomwhichshouldteachrulershowtomakeprogressasprogressismadebythosewhomtheyrule。Thefaultmaybeabsolutelynegativeandhavespreaditselfovercenturies；maybe，andgenerallyhasbeen，attributabletodull，goodmen；butnotthelessdoesthepunishmentcomeatablow。Therebellionexistsandcannotbeputdown——willputdownallthatopposesit；butthegovernmentisnotthelessboundtomakeitsfight。Thatisthepunishmentthatcomesongoverningmenorongoverningapeoplethatgovernnotwellornotwisely。

AsMr。MotleysaysinthepapertowhichIhavealluded，“Noman，oneithersideoftheAtlantic，withAnglo-Saxonbloodinhisveins，willdisputetherightofapeople，orofanyportionofapeople，toriseagainstoppression，todemandredressofgrievances，andincaseofdenialofjusticetotakeuparmstovindicatethesacredprincipleofliberty。FewEnglishmenorAmericanswilldenythatthesourceofgovernmentistheconsentofthegoverned，orthateverynationhastherighttogovernitselfaccordingtoitswill。

Whenthesilentconsentischangedtofierceremonstrance，revolutionisimpending。Therightofrevolutionisindisputable。

Itiswrittenonthewholerecordofourrace，BritishandAmericanhistoryismadeupofrebellionandrevolution。Hampden，Pym，andOliverCromwell；Washington，Adams，andJefferson，allwererebels。“

ThencomesthequestionwhetherSouthCarolinaandtheGulfStateshadsosufferedastomakerebellionontheirbehalfjustifiableorreasonable；orifnot，whatcausehadbeenstrongenoughtoproduceinthemsostrongadesireforsecession，adesirewhichhasexistedforfullyhalfthetermthroughwhichtheUnitedStateshasexistedasanation，andsofirmaresolvetorushintorebellionwiththeobjectofaccomplishingthatwhichtheydeemednottobeaccomplishedonotherterms？

Itmust，Ithink，beconcededthattheGulfStateshavenotsufferedatallbytheirconnectionwiththeNorthernStates；thatinlieuofanysuchsuffering，theyowealltheirnationalgreatnesstotheNorthernStates；thattheyhavebeenliftedup，bythecommercialenergyoftheAtlanticStatesandbytheagriculturalprosperityoftheWesternStates，toadegreeofnationalconsiderationandrespectthroughtheworldatlargewhichnevercouldhavebelongedtothemstandingalone。Iwillnottroublemyreaderswithstatisticswhichfewwouldcaretofollow；butletanymanofordinaryevery-dayknowledgeturnoverinhisownmindhispresentexistingideasofthewealthandcommerceofNewYork，Boston，Philadelphia，Chicago，Pittsburg，andCincinnati，andcomparethemwithhisideasastoNewOrleans，Charleston，Savannah，Mobile，Richmond，andMemphis。IdonotnamesuchtownsasBaltimoreandSt。Louis，whichstandinslaveStates，butwhichhaveraisedthemselvestoprosperitybyNorthernhabits。Ifthisbenotsufficient，lethimrefertopopulationtablesandtablesofshippingandtonnage。AndofthoseSoutherntownswhichIhavenamedthecommercialwealthisofNortherncreation。ThesuccessofNewOrleansasacitycanbenomoreattributedtoLouisianiansthancanthatoftheHavanatothemenofCuba，orofCalcuttatothenativesofIndia。Ithasbeenarepetitionoftheoldstory，toldoverandoveragainthrougheverycenturysincecommercehasflourishedintheworld；thetropicscanproduce，butthemenfromtheNorthshallsowandreap，andgarnerandenjoy。AstheCreator\'sworkhasprogressed，thisprivilegehasextendeditselftoregionsfartherremovedandstillfartherfromsoutherninfluences。

IfwelooktoEurope，weseethatthishasbeensoinGreece，Italy，Spain，France，andtheNetherlands；inEnglandandScotland；inPrussiaandinRussia；andtheWesternWorldshowsusthesamestory。WhereisnowthegloryoftheAntilles？wheretherichesofMexicoandthepowerofPeru？Theystillproducesugar，guano，gold，cotton，coffee——almostwhateverwemayaskthem——andwillcontinuetodosowhileheldtolaborundersufficientrestraint；

butwherearetheirmen，wherearetheirbooks，whereistheirlearning，theirart，theirenterprise？Isayitwithsadregretatthedecadenceofsovastapopulation；butIdosaythattheSouthernStatesofAmericahavenotbeenabletokeeppacewiththeirNorthernbrethren；thattheyhavefallenbehindintherace，and，feelingthatthestruggleistoomuchforthem，havethereforeresolvedtopart。

ThereasonsputforwardbytheSouthforsecessionhavebeentriflingalmostbeyondconception。Northerntariffshavebeenthefirst，andperhapsforemost。ThentherehasbeenapleathatthenationalexchequerhaspaidcertainbountiestoNewEnglandfishermen，ofwhichtheSouthhaspaiditsshare，gettingnopartofsuchbountyinreturn。Thereisalsoacomplaintastothenavigationlaws——meaning，Ibelieve，thatthelawsoftheStatesincreasethecostofcoasttrafficbyforbiddingforeignvesselstoengageinthetrade，therebyincreasingalsothepriceofgoodsandconfiningthebenefittotheNorth，whichcarriesonthecoastingtradeofthecountry，anddoingonlyinjurytotheSouth，whichhasnoneofit。Thenlast，butnotleast，comesthatgrievanceastotheFugitiveSlaveLaw。Thelawofthelandasawhole——thelawofthenation——requirestherenditionfromfreeStatesofallfugitiveslaves。ButthefreeStateswillnotobeythislaw。TheyevenpassStatelawsinoppositiontoit，“Catchyourownslaves，“theysay，“andwewillnothinderyou；atanyratewewillnothinderyouofficially。Ofnon-officialhinderanceyoumusttakeyourchance。

Butweabsolutelydeclinetoemployourofficerstocatchyourslaves。“Thatlistcomprises，asItakeit，theamountofSouthernofficialgrievances。Southernpeoplewilltellyouprivatelyofothers。Theywillsaythattheycannotsleephappyintheirbeds，fearinglestinsurrectionshouldberousedamongtheirslaves。TheywilltellyouofdomesticcomfortinvadedbyNorthernfalsehood。

TheywillexplaintoyouhowfalsehasbeenMrs。BeecherStowe。

Ladieswillfillyourearsandyourheartstoowithtalesofthedailyeffortstheymakeforthecomfortoftheir“people，“andoftheruintothoseeffortswhicharisesfromthemaliceoftheabolitionists。Toallthisyoumakesomeanswerwithyourtonguethatishardlytrue——forinsuchamattercourtesyforbidstheplaintruth。Butyourheartwithinanswerstruly，“Madam，dearmadam，yoursorrowisgreat；butthatsorrowisthenecessaryresultofyourposition。“

Astothoseofficialreasons，inwhatfewestwordsIcanuseIwillendeavortoshowthattheycometonothing。Thetariff——andamonstroustariffitthenwas——wasthegroundputforwardbySouthCarolinaforsecessionwhenGeneralJacksonwasPresidentandMr。

CalhounwastheherooftheSouth。CalhounboundhimselfandhisStatetotakecertainstepstowardsecessionatacertaindayifthattariffwerenotabolished。ThetariffwassoabsurdthatJacksonandhisgovernmentwereforcedtoabandonit——wouldhaveabandoneditwithoutanythreatfromCalhoun；butunderthatthreatitwasnecessarythatCalhounshouldbedefied。GeneralJacksonproposedacompromisetariff，whichwasodioustoCalhoun——notonitsownbehalf，forityieldednearlyallthatwasasked，butasbeingsubversiveofhisdesireforsecession。ThePresident，however，notonlyinsistedonhiscompromise，butdeclaredhispurposeofpreventingitspassageintolawunlessCalhounhimself，asSenator，wouldvoteforit。Andhealsodeclaredhispurpose——

not，wemaypresume，officially——ofhangingCalhoun，ifhetookthatsteptowardsecessionwhichhehadboundhimselftotakeintheeventofthetariffnotbeingrepealed。AsaresultofallthisCalhounvotedforthecompromise，andsecessionforthetimewasbeatendown。Thatwasin1832，andmayberegardedasthecommencementofthesecessionmovement。Thetariffwasthenaconvenientreason，agroundtobeassignedwithacolorofjusticebecauseitwasatariffadmittedtobebad。Butthetariffhasbeenmodifiedagainandagainsincethat，andthetariffexistingwhenSouthCarolinasecededin1860hadbeencarriedbyvotesfromSouthCarolina。TheabsurdMorrilltariffcouldnothavecausedsecession，foritwaspassed，withoutastruggle，inthecollapseofCongressoccasionedbysecession。

Thebountytofishermenwasgiventocreatesailors，sothatamarinemightbeprovidedforthenation。Ineedhardlyshowthatthenationalbenefitwouldaccruetothewholenationforwhoseprotectionsuchsailorswereneeded。Suchasystemofbountiesmaybebad；butifso，itwasbadforthewholenation。ItdidnotaffectSouthCarolinaotherwisethanitaffectedIllinois，Pennsylvania，orevenNewYork。

Thenavigationlawsmayalsohavebeenbad。Accordingtomythinkingsuchprotectivelawsarebad；buttheycreatednospecialhardshipontheSouth。Byanysuchatheoryofcomplaintallsectionsofallnationshavegroundofcomplaintagainstanyothersectionwhichreceivesspecialprotectionunderanylaw。ThedrinkersofbeerinEnglandshouldsecedebecausetheypayatax，whereastheconsumersofpaperpaynone。ThenavigationlawsoftheStatesarenodoubtinjurioustothemercantileinterestsoftheStates。Iatleasthavenodoubtonthesubject。Butnoonewillthinkthatsecessionisjustifiedbytheexistenceofalawofquestionableexpediency。Badlawswillgobytheboardifproperlyhandledbythosewhomtheypinch，asthenavigationlawswentbytheboardwithusinEngland。

AstothatFugitiveSlaveLaw，itshouldbeexplainedthatthegrievancehasnotarisenfromthelossofslaves。IhavehearditstatedthatSouthCarolina，uptothetimeofthesecession，hadneverlostaslaveinthisway——thatis，byNorthernoppositiontotheFugitiveSlaveLaw；andthatthetotalnumberofslavesescapingsuccessfullyintotheNorthernStates，andthereremainingthroughthenon-operationofthislaw，didnotamounttofiveintheyear。