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[457] deed of separation is sealed in the first blood shed in this conflict.

The Journal of Commerce (New York) said:

We will not undertake, at this moment, to apportion the measure of folly and crime, on either side, which has led to the present catastrophe. No doubt it has been precipitated by the sending of a fleet with troops, by the United States Government, for the relief (as was understood) of Sumter. And, on the other hand, it may be said that this action of the United States Government was occasioned by tile cutting off of supplies from Fort Sumter by the Confederate authorities, which rendered it necessary to send them from New York or some other point. To this, again, it may be replied, that the cutting off of supplies by the Confederate authorities was caused by the long continued delay of the United States authorities to take or consent to any measures of adjustment of the pending differences, thus leaving the Confederate authorities subject to the necessity of maintaining a large military force at Charleston for an indefinite period, or abandoning their claims altogether. The Confederate authorities must, however, bear the responsibility (and it is a heavy one) of commencing the actual firing.

The Boston Post still more mildly said:

The people must speak in their primary capacity, if they would save their country from a miserable destiny — if they would secure to their families and themselves peace and safety. This should be done in a legal manner. An Extra Session of Congress should be called at once. And, if that body prove incompetent to the duty required. then a National Convention should be convened; and, if all measures for a satisfactory adjustment fail, after full hearing and answers to statements of discontent, and a portion of our country declare its determination, at all events, to dissolve its association with another portion, let it depart in peace, if possible; but, if it be not possible, then we shall feel that we have done all that Christianity, reason, and patriotism could demand, and be prepared to meet the last dreadful issue with a sustaining conscience.1

The New York Herald of the 15th put forth a “leader,” whereof the drift is exhibited in the following extracts:

Earnestly laboring in behalf of peace, from the beginning of these sectional troubles down to this day, and for the maintenance of the Union through mutual concessions, we do not, even yet, utterly despair of arresting this civil war before it shall have passed beyond tie reach of reason. In any event, the people of this metropolis owe it to themselves, to their material and political interests, to their social security and to the country at large, to make a solemn and imposing effort in behalf of peace. To this end, we again call upon our fellow-citizens of this island, irrespective of creed or party, to meet together in an earnest consultation upon the ways and means of peace. The Government at Washington and that at Montgomery, confronted with the horrors of civil war, may yet recoil from them.

The conservative city of New York, guiltless of any agency in precipitating upon the two sections of this great country this causeless and senseless appeal to arms, has the right, and has some power, to speak to the North and the South in behalf of peace.

The Herald of the next day contained a leading article in substantial accordance with the new drift of public sentiment, even among “ conservatives:” saying:

The measures that have been adopted, within the last few days, by the Government of Mr. Lincoln, entirely change the aspect of public affairs. Had a similar course been pursued five months go, the last would have been heard of Secession before now. Not the firing of a gun would have been

1 The True American (Trenton, N. J.), and, so far as can now be traced, every other prominent Democratic journal issued in New Jersey, blamed the Administration and the ‘Black Republicans’ for inciting and provoking “the South” to rebellion. and civil war, in substantial accordance with the foregoing views of The New York Express and The Albany Argus. The Pennsylvanian (Philadelphia), and The Patriot and Union (Harrisburg), with nearly every other leading Democratic journal in Pennsylvania, also treated the war now opening as provoked, if not wantonly commenced, by the “Black Republicans.” So with the ablest and most widely circulated Democratic journals of Connecticut. The Chicago Times, The Detroit Free Press, and Ohio Statesman (Columbus), likewise regarded and treated the conflict as one which the Republicans had unwarrantably commenced, or, at least, incited. Few or none of these, however, counseled acquiescence in Disunion — much less, a surrender of Washington and Maryland.

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