OFFICE ST. LOUIS
RAILROAD COMPANY, St. Louis, April 25, 1861.
DEAR BROTHER: Virginia's
secession influences some six millions of people. No use in arguing about
it at all, but all the Virginians, or all who trace their lineage back, will
feel like obeying her dictates and example. As a state, she has been proud,
boastful, and we may say over-bearing; but, on the other hand, she, by her
governors and authority, has done everything to draw her native-born back to
their state.
I can not yet but
think that it was a fatal mistake in Mr. Lincoln not to tie to his
administration by some kind of link, the border states. Now it is too late, and
sooner or later Kentucky, Tennessee, and Arkansas will be in arms against us.
It is barely possible that Missouri may yet be neutral.
It is pretty nearly
determined to divert the half million set aside for the July interest for
arming the state.1 All the bankers but one have consented, and the
governor and legislature are strongly secession. I understand to-day the orders
at the custom house are to refuse clearance to steamboats to seceding states.
All the heavy trade with groceries and provisions is with the South, and this
order at once takes all life from St. Louis. Merchants heretofore for peace,
and even for backing the administration will now fall off, relax in their
exertions, and the result will possibly be secession, and then free states
against slave – the horrible array so long dreaded. I know Frank Blair desired
this plain, square issue. It may be that sooner or later it is inevitable, but I
cannot bring myself to think so. On the necessity of maintaining a government
and that government the old constitutional one, I have never wavered, but I do
recoil from a war, when the negro is the only question. I am informed that
McClellan is appointed to command the Ohio militia — a most excellent
appointment; a better officer could not be found.
_______________
1 Missouri. — ED.
SOURCE: Walter L.
Fleming, General W.T. Sherman as College President, p. 380-1
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