A Few Letters and Speeches of the Late Civil War |
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Common terms and phrases
Abolition Abolitionism action administration allow American arms army blockade British government calamities carried cent Charleston civil compromise Congress Constitutional rights convention conviction cotton course Crimean war D. C. NEW YORK Davis DEAR SIR,-I December 19 defeat Democratic party dollars election England English fanatical favor fear Federal feeling France friends give hand you inclosed honor hope hundred thousand interest Jeff Jefferson Davis letter liberty Lincoln loan London Lord John Lord John Russell Lord Palmerston McClellan ment millions Mississippi Missouri compromise months Morrill tariff navy negotiation North November 22 opinion Paris patriotic peace personal-liberty bills political present proclamation prosperity rebellion rebels regret repeal Republic restoration revolted Richmond seceded secession Secessionists sectional slavery soon South Carolina Southern Confederacy Southern ports steamer strict neutrality struggle subscription sympathy taken tariff tion torrent of terrorism unfortunate Union United United States Senate victory Virginia vote war Democrat Washington whole Yancey
Popular passages
Page 24 - ... the good men of all parties ; and though your noble efforts may prove of no avail against the sectional fanaticism conjured up by designing politicians, the lasting gratitude of every American citizen, who has the greatness of his country at heart, is due to your statesmanlike stand in reference to the Union and the Constitution. I am afraid that no human power can stay the evil, since the Republican leaders, by their vote in the Committee of Thirteen, have proved that they are determined to...
Page 108 - four years of misrule by a sectional, fanatical, and corrupt party had brought our country to the verge of ruin. The past and present are sufficient warnings of the disastrous consequences which would befall us if Mr. Lincoln's re-election should be made possible by our want of patriotism and unity.
Page 69 - In any event, it seems to me that an attempt at negotiation should be made, and that the time for it has not entirely passed away. If one or two conservative men, who, without holding any official position, possess influence and weight enough with our people and the government to inspire confidence in their statements to the leading men of the South, could be found to proceed under the authority, or at least with the knowledge of the President, to Richmond, in order to open negotiations, I think...
Page 64 - We do not like slavery but we want cotton and we dislike very much your Morrill tariff.
Page 122 - The general commanding the armies of the United States. Can there be any doubt left as to the designs of the Radicals, if they should be able to keep their hold on the reins of government? They intend Congressional usurpation of all the branches and functions of the government, to be enforced by the bayonets of a military despotism.
Page 109 - We are here not as war democrats nor as peace democrats, but as citizens of the great Republic, which we will strive to bring back to its former greatness and prosperity, without one single star taken from the brilliant constellation that once encircled its beautiful brow. [Cheers.] . . . Under the blessings of the Almighty, the sacred cause of the Union, the constitution and the laws, must prevail against fanaticism and treason.
Page 57 - State to levy an adequate amount by direct taxation. The loans were invariably made on pledges of specific revenues for the payment of both principal and interest. The state of Ohio, at the commencement of its loans, organized a system of finance on a firm foundation, providing by direct taxation for the payment of the interest and the ultimate redemption of the principal.
Page 64 - I think this phrase comprises the whole policy of this government in the present war, and from what I have seen and heard since my arrival, I am more than e%ver convinced that we have nothing to hope from the sympathy of the English government and people in our struggle. Because this war is not carried on for the abolition...
Page 70 - ... lose any time in carrying out these views. Such men, for instance, as yourself and Governor H. Seymour, would soon be able to find out whether the men who are guiding the destinies of the South could be brought to listen to the dictates of reason and moderation. Before we enter upon a new phase in this terrible war, which must carry with it horror and misery far greater than what we have witnessed yet, I cannot but think that patriotism and humanity alike call for an earnest effort toward reconciliation...
Page 122 - Austria did not dare to fasten upon vanquished Hungary, nor Russia to impose upon conquered Poland, the ruthless tyranny now inflicted by Congress upon the Southern States.