The President sent for Stanton and myself; wished us to
consult and do what we could for the employment of the contrabands, and as the
Rebels threatened to kill all caught with arms in their hands, to employ them
where they would not be liable to be captured. On the ships he thought they
were well cared for, and suggested to Stanton that they could perform garrison
duty at Memphis, Columbus, and other places and let the soldiers go on more
active service.
Covode called at my house this evening and wanted the President's
card. Said he was likely to get into difficulty and wished his name not to be
used in the matter of removing the Navy Agent which he had urged. Would himself
see Chambers and advise him what to do. He expects, he says, to be candidate
for Governor of Pennsylvania. Covode is shrewd but illiterate, a match and more
than a match for men of higher culture, reputation, and acquirements; but I hardly
think his gubernatorial expectations will be realized, though they sometimes
take strange material for Governor in Pennsylvania.
* * * * * * * * * *
The great problem which is being solved in these days seems
to be scarcely realized by our public, and really great, men. It is sad to
witness in this period of calamity, when the nation is struggling for
existence, and the cause of good government and civil liberty is at stake, the
spirit of party overpowering patriotism. The Governors in several of the States
have presented their messages during the week. Tod of Ohio exhibits a manly,
wholesome, and vigorous tone, others also do well, but the jesuitical and
heartless insincerity of Seymour of New York is devoid of true patriotism, weak
in statesmanship, and a discredit to the position he occupies. Unhallowed
partisan and personal aspirations are moving springs with him. That such a man,
at such a time, should have been elected to such a place does no credit to
popular intelligence or to public virtue. When Seward, himself, I think,
rightly disposed, acquiesced in the debased partisanship of his friend Weed,
who in spite wanted Wadsworth, the gallant and patriotic citizen, defeated, he
committed a fatal error.
In the insurgent States patriotism seems extinguished, the
flag and country are hated. There is great suffering on the part of the people
from all the direful calamities which war can bring, yet there is no evidence
of returning sense or affection for that union which conferred upon them
happiness and prosperity. Greater calamities, greater suffering, must be
endured.
Some things have taken place which will undoubtedly for a
time exasperate the Southern mind, for they will affect Southern society,
habits, labor, and pursuits. For a period emancipation will aggravate existing
differences, and a full generation will be necessary to effect and complete the
change which has been commenced.
SOURCE: Gideon Welles, Diary of Gideon Welles,
Secretary of the Navy Under Lincoln and Johnson, Vol. 1: 1861 – March 30,
1864, p. 218-20
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