[January and February,
1860].
Dear Brother: I
received your letter explaining how you happened to sign for that Helper book.
Of course it was an unfortunate accident, which will be a good reason for your
refusing hereafter your signature to unfinished books. After Clark's
resolution, you were right, of course, to remain silent. I hope you will still
succeed, as then you will have ample opportunity to show a fair independence.
The rampant southern feeling is not so strong in Louisiana
as in Mississippi and Carolina. Still, holding many slaves, they naturally feel
the intense anxiety all must whose property and existence depend on the safety
of their property and labor. I do hope that Congress may organize and that all
things may move along smoothly. It would be the height of folly to drive the
South to desperation, and I hope, after the fact is admitted that the North has
the majority and right to control national matters and interests, that they
will so use their power as to reassure the South that there is no intention to
disturb the actual existence of slavery.
. . . The excitement attending the speakership has died away
here, and Louisiana will not make any disunion moves. Indeed, she is very
prosperous, and the Mississippi is a strong link, which she cannot sever.
Besides, the price of negroes is higher than ever before, indicating a secure
feeling. . .
I have seen all your debates thus far, and no southern or
other gentleman will question their fairness and dignity, and I believe, unless
you are unduly provoked, they will ever continue so. I see you are suffering
some of the penalties of greatness, having an awful likeness paraded in
Harper's, to decorate the walls of country inns. I have seen that of Harper,
and as the name is below, I recognize it. Some here say they see a likeness to
me, but I don't.
. . . I don't like the looks of the times. This political
turmoil, the sending commissions from state to state, the organization of
military schools and establishments, and universal belief in the South that
disunion is not only possible but certain, are bad signs. If our country falls
into anarchy, it will be Mexico, only worse. I was in hopes the crisis would
have been deferred till the states of the northwest became so populous as to
hold both extremes in check. Disunion would be Civil War, and you politicians
would lose all charm. Military men would then step on the tapis, and you would
have to retire. Though you think such a thing absurd, yet it is not so, and
there would be vast numbers who would think the change for the better.
I have been well sustained here, and the legislature
proposes further to endow us well and place us in the strongest possible
financial position. If they do, and this danger of disunion blow over, I shall
stay here; but in case of a breach, I would go north. . .
SOURCE: Walter L. Fleming, General W.T. Sherman
as College President, p. 118-20
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