[
216]
Chapter 9: proceedings in Congress.--departure of conspirators.
- Line between loyalists and disloyalists distinctly drawn
-- conspirators in Congress, 216.
-- the conspiracy revealed by a “Southern man,” 217.
-- the people alarmed
-- Unsatisfactory Message from President Buchanan, 218.
-- position of the President
-- General Wool's warning
-- firmness of the Union men in Congress, 219.
-- Jefferson Davis's proposition to amend the Constitution, 220.
-- useless labors of the two great committees
-- Senator Clark's proposition
-- conspirators determined on disunion, 221.
-- action of the Senate Committee of thirteen
-- of the House Committee of thirty — three, 222.
-- Debates on Crittenden's propositions
-- Toombs declares himself a rebel, 224.
-- Hunter's propositions, 225.
-- Seward's position defined
-- Union speeches, 226-227.
-- final action on the Crittenden Compromise
-- withdrawal of disloyal Senators, 228.
-- seizure of arms in New York, 230.
-- Slidell's last speech in the Senate, 231.
-- Senator Benjamin's last speech in Congress, 232.
-- disloyal Representatives leaving Congress
-- conciliatory action of the Union members, 233.
-- C. F. Adams's resolution, 234.
Whilst the country at large, solemnly impressed by the thick gathering portents of a fearful storm, was violently agitated, and all eyes and hearts were turned anxiously toward the National Congress and the
Executive of the
Government for assurances of safety, the halls of that Congress presented some strange spectacles for the patriot, the philosopher, and the historian.
The line of demarkation between the patriots and the conspirators in that body had been early and distinctly drawn by the latter, as we have observed, with amazing boldness; and while the former, sincerely wishing to be just, were ardently seeking for some honorable way for conciliating the malcontents, the traitors were implacable and defiant.
At all times they plainly revealed their determination not to agree to any terms for conciliation, even if such terms should offer more than they demanded; and they looked upon the yielding spirit of the true men in Congress as an exhibition of that subserviency, born often of an intense love for the
Union, which had forever been making concessions to the Slave interest, to the mortal hurt of the nation.
There was perfect unity of action between the conspirators in Congress and the conspirators and politicians working in the Slave-labor States.
They wrought harmoniously; those at the seat of Government directing important movements, and those who controlled political affairs in the several States executing them with energy, secrecy, and success, for the corrupt State Legislatures were auxiliaries in the business of the enslavement of the people by the Oligarchy.
This evident harmony of action we have observed while considering the secession movements in the seven Cotton-growing States.
The public suspected it after the rebellious acts of the
South Carolina politicians, late in December;
and early in January it was authoritatively proclaimed, in an anonymous communication published in the
National Intelligencer at the seat of Government, and signed
Eaton.
It was written by a “distinguished citizen of the
South, who formerly represented his State in the popular branch of Congress,” and was then temporarily sojourning in
Washington.
1 He charged that a caucus was held on the preceding Saturday night
in that city, by the
Senators from seven of the Cotton-producing States (naming them
2), who,
