John Harrison Wilson, The life of Charles Henry Dana

This was followed by much more of the same sort. Greeley had been absent for five weeks, but appears to have come around to the position of “no compromise, no concessions to traitors,” “the nation must hold and defend its property everywhere,” “the government is about to vindicate its right to exist,” “to assert its authority and set forth its power.”

After Fort Sumter was fired on, and Lincoln's call for troops had been sent out, the cry from the Tribune has no uncertain sound:

... We are at war. Let us cease mere fending off and strike home .... There has been a good deal of discussion of the propriety of allowing “the Southern States” to separate themselves from the Union and set up an independent slaveholding government for themselves. But in face of the glorious, the sublime uprising of the unanimous and devoted people, this idea has become obsolete ....

... It is now evident — and all men will do well to shape their calculations accordingly — that the Union cannot be dissolved. There cannot be two rival and competing governments within the boundaries of the United States. The territorial integrity and the political unity of the nation are to be preserved at whatever cost. Rebellion is to be put down, and not treated with. ...

This is the meaning of every throb in the great popular heart, now beating with noblest purposes, and animated as it were by a divine inspiration. The freemen in this country understand this well; they know the obstacles; they appreciate the difficulties in their way. They perceive the struggle will be a long and bloody one. They see their enemy, and underrate neither his resources nor his desperation. But they are determined to fight no half battle with him....

... The business of this nation to-day is the annihilation of rebellion and the preservation of the national integrity. . . . That this end will be attained through perils, sacrifices, discouragements, disasters even, we know; but