. . . Though
Lincoln's opinions on slavery are as radical as those of Seward, yet southern
men, if they see a chance of his success, will say they will wait and see. The
worst feature of things now is the familiarity with which the subject of a
dissolution is talked about. But I cannot believe any one, even Yancey or
Davis, would be rash enough to take the first step.
If at Baltimore
to-day the convention nominate Douglas with unanimity, I suppose if he gets the
vote of the united South he will be elected. But, as I apprehend will be the
case, if the seceders again secede to Richmond, and there make a southern
nomination, their nomination will weaken Douglas's vote so much that Lincoln
may run in. The real race seems to be between Lincoln and Douglas.
Now that Mr. Ewing
also is out for Lincoln, and it is strange how closely these things are
watched, it is probable I will be even more "suspect” than last year. All
the reasoning and truth in the world would not convince a southern man that the
Republicans are not abolitionists. It is not safe to stop to discuss the
question: they believe it, and there is the end of the controversy.
Of course, I know
that reason has very little influence in this world: prejudice governs. You and
all who derive power from the people do not look for pure, unalloyed truth, but
to that kind of truth which jumps with the prejudice of the day. So southern
politicians do the same. If Lincoln be elected, I don't apprehend resistance;
and if he be, as Mr. Ewing says, a reasonable, moderate man, things may move
on, and the South become gradually reconciled. But you may rest assured that
the tone of feeling is such that Civil War and anarchy are very possible. . .
SOURCE: Walter
L. Fleming, General W.T. Sherman as College President, p. 232-3
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