[from Washington letter to New York Sun.]
In the dark and uncertain days preceding the outbreak of the rebellion there was much doubt in the mind of
Mr. Lincoln regarding the disposition of the people
North of the recognized dividing line between freedom and slavery to sustain aggressive measures for the preservation of the
Union.
State after State had seceded, and no demonstration had been made at the
North to counteract the force of such movements at the
South.
On the contrary, there were public men who openly advocated a division of the
Union into such parts as would suit geographical lines and their own interests and ambition.
Notably,
Mr. Hendricks favored a northwestern confederacy; some New Yorkers saw in the confusion of the times an opportunity to make their city the Venice of
America; and some Californians thought a republic on the
Pacific, with
San Francisco for its commercial and political capital, would develop into mighty proportions before the end of the century.
Horace Greeley had advocated in the
Tribune peaceable separation and boldly proclaimed: “Let the erring sisters go in peace.”
The Indianapolis
Journal, in the
West, inspired by an ambition to “take a position,” occupied the same ground.
The Northern States sent peace commissioners to
Washington to plead with the
South for a peaceable solution of the difficulties and a maintenance of the
Union.
The Government, under
Mr. Buchanan, did nothing to repress the military preparations making in the
South, and when
Mr. Lincoln was inaugurated there were nine States defying his authority and ready for war. His administration had a most formidable opposition in the two remaining States that seceded, and in those also that attempted to do so. His support at the
North, in the event of war, he regarded as uncertain, and anarchy appeared inevitable.
In this condition of affairs commissioners appointed by
Governor Pickens, of
South Carolina, appeared on the scene, and through
Judge Campbell, then late of the Supreme Court, who had resigned on the secession of
Louisiana, commenced a negotiation for the surrender to that State of the
Government forts and property within its limits.
The commissioners were also aided by
Dr. Todd,