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Chapter 11:
- The issue -- the American idea of Government -- who was responsible for the war? -- situation of Virginia -- concentration of the enemy against Richmond -- our Diffaculty -- unjust criticisms -- the facts set forth -- organization of the army -- conference at Fairfax Court House -- inaction of the army -- capture of Romney -- troops ordered to retire to the Valley -- discipline -- General Johnston regards his position as unsafe -- the first policy -- retreat of General Johnston -- the plans of the enemy -- our strength magnified by the enemy -- stores destroyed -- the Trent affair.
It has been shown that the Southern states, by their representatives in the two houses of Congress, consistently endeavored, even to the last day when they were by their constituents permitted to remain in the halls of federal legislation, to maintain the Constitution, and preserve the union which the states had by their independent action ordained and established. On the other hand, proof has been adduced to show that the Northern states, by a majority of their representatives in the Congress, had persisted in agitation injurious to the welfare and tranquillity of the Southern states, and at the last moment had refused to make any concessions, or to offer any guarantees to check the current toward secession of the complaining states, whose love for the Union rendered them willing to accept less than justice should have readily accorded. The issue was then presented between submission to empire of the North, or the severance of those ties consecrated by many memories, and strengthened by those habits which render every people reluctant to sever long-existing associations. The authorities heretofore cited have, I must believe, conclusively shown that the question of changing their government was one that the states had the power to decide by virtue of the unalienable right announced in the Declaration of Independence, and which had been proudly denominated the American idea of government. The hope and the wish of the people of the South were that the disagreeable necessity of separation would be peacefully met, and be followed by such commercial regulations as would least disturb the prosperity and future intercourse of the separated states. Every step taken by the Confederate government was directed toward that end. The separation of the states having been decided on, it was sought to effect it in such manner as would be just
