The Crisis and its Demands

Col. Forney writes from Washington to the Philadelphia Press:

We are living in the midst not simply of a revolution unparalleled in history, but a rebellion against all the improvements in Government, in science, in law and in society.  The men who refused to stand by the Government in this crisis cannot stop this revolution.  They cannot save Slavery, but they may temporarily wound the Constitution and the Union.  Radical remedies are always the offspring of grave diseases.  The ingratitude and savage atrocities of Slavery have turned the heart of Christendom against it and have made the severe medicines of men who were called fanatics a few years ago, palatable to those who have been among the moderate classes of our people.  The true statesman accepts things as they are.  His duty is first to his country.  He must put down her foes by every means, and if one weapon fails he must try another. – Such a leader can no more ignore the revolution against Slavery, brought about by slave-owners, than he can blot out the undying memory which preserves for eternal veneration and example the great events which have changed the civil polity and religious systems of other nations.

One of the incidents of this revolution against Slavery is the extraordinary transformation wrought in the minds of intelligent and conscientious Democrats.  I have just received a letter from a gentleman who bears an honored name as a consistent member of the once respected Democratic party, which I publish as one of the thousand evidences of the change that is taking place in the minds of men.

“The leading article of the Press this morning speaks the language of truth and necessity.  You remember it was my policy from the outset – no more legislation, no more talk, no more compromise or conciliation.  The Government must show sterner stuff.  We must treat those heaven daring and hell-deserving offenders, those highwaymen, those assassins and pirates as the worst of foes.  Mercy to them is cruelty to the civilized world, which on its broad expanse is more or less interested in the maintenance of this Republic in all its integrity.  Our Government should and must ‘press them to the wall,’ follow them up on their way, defeat them until they are dispersed, lay down their arms and return to their allegiance, are subjugated or exterminated.  We must decide at once and sternly – no indulgence of domestic traitors in our midst.  We must imitate Baltimore everywhere all over our country, and drive the traitors and their treason from our streets.  No more talk of consanguinity, affinity, or sacred friendship with barbarians and assassins.  They dissolve in thin air before the true patriot, who must bury the recollections of all ties in the proud consciousness of duty to God and his country from which source he will be sure to receive his reward.  For God’s sake urge, by all possible means at your command, the necessity of the most stringent measures, nor hope for any peace or restoration of the Government by other means.  You are doing much persevere [sic], call men and things by their right names, and [illegible] our thoughts turn to subjugation or if need be extermination, American and Christianity demand it.”

You will tell me this is strong language, but remember, it is the voice of one who has not only been foremost in the ranks of the Democracy, but foremost among the defenders of the South.  He speaks as tens of thousands of Democrats feel.  Mr. Lincoln told the Border States of the “signs of the times” and there is none that suggest a more solemn warning that the revolution in regard to Slavery among the masses who have been its ardent advocates and apologists.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

Army Correspondence

A friend in Elmira has given us permission to publish the following letter from Captain Murchison of the 19th Illinois. It was not intended for publication, but its subject matter is just as good as if it had been.

Murfreesboro, Tenn., April 8, 1863

My Dear Friend:– Yours of March 21st was received day before yesterday, very glad to hear from you once more. I can assure you it is one of the greatest pleasures he have to hear from friends at home. In fact, it is the greatest we have except when we hear of the rebels being whipped at some point or other.

At this place, there is nothing going on worthy of note. Things seem to be generally quiet. It would do you good to see our camp at his place. The whole country looks like one vast city. It would be rather a hot place for the rebels were they to come among us at the present time. We are looking anxiously for news from Vicksburg. As for us I can see our prospects are brighter at the present time than they have been since the breaking out of the rebellion. One thing is certain, the suffering of the southern people is terrible, and becoming worse every day. I believe were it not for fear of their lives, more than half of the rebel army would lay down their arms in twenty-four hours but so desperate are their leaders that anything like desertion would meet with instant death. By no other means would they hold their army together for [a] week. It is now stated on good authority that Jeff Davis has ordered put to death between [3 and 5,000] men, besides many that have been shot without trial or sentence, for straggling. Besides there is one thing more that held them together: that is, our northern copperheads. I verily believe that some of them would glory in the downfall of our glorious country, as much as Jeff. Davis himself. I came to that conclusion from letters they sometimes send to those who are so nobly battling for their country. (a copy of one you will find enclosed.) I think the soldiers in the field are as well posted as to what the President is doing as those traitors, and perhaps better. If they knew the contempt with which the boys received such letters they would tremble in their boots. They seem to forget that some day soon some of the soldiers at least will return to their homes; also that they are quite as bitter against traitors in the rear as in front. To meet the latter, they left their homes, and in doing so they did not think they were leaving those behind who would rise up and stab them in the back. The boys know very well that for more than a year they were engaged more or less guarding rebel property. All the time they were thus employed, the negroes were planting and reaping corn to feed the rebel army, while their masters were engaged in the cowardly business of bushwhacking. They are also aware that as long as the enemy have their slaves to work for them, just so long will they trouble us more or less. It is certain that the soldiers are bound to support the President in his efforts to crush the rebellion and they despise all those who are opposing every war measure to put down the rebellion.

The enclosed letter was received by one of my boys from Mr. ___, one of our neighbors. If you would like to know how the boys receive such letters I will tell you. – Why, Sir, when one of them come into camp it is not long in passing through the whole company. The general cry is “I will soldier it my lifetime rather to submit to such traitors.”

But I must close. From Your Sincere Friend;

A. Murchison.

(Verbatim Copy)

“As you requested me to tell you how the people feel about the conscription act, I will tell you as far as I know. In the first place, it gives the president the power to do as he [illegible] about: calling out the militia if he pleases; he can call out every democrat and not take one Republican, and it gives him more power than any other President has ever had. This you will admit is not right and in doing so it violates the Constitution. Abe Lincoln and his Cabinet have repeatedly violated the Constitution and this war which was commenced for the purpose of putting down the rebellion has changed to a war on slavery. The white soldier has to be sacrificed for the niger; he is left to starve or go half naked while the niger is set free, clothed and fed on what should be given to the poor soldier. I do not wonder that you have heard of those things the abolitionists have taken good care to keep this from the Soldierly. If the Soldiers knew how they had been imposed upon they could not have heart to fight as well as they do.

You must forgive me if I have been too harsh, but when I see the rights of myself and my countrymen trampled upon it makes me feel wolfish it make me feel that it is time to do something for the defense of our rights the Sneaking abolutionists are holding secret meetings all around, this is one sign that they are not trying to do much good for their country they will have to commence the fus and if there is one it will be a dreadful one. The Copperheads as they call them are made of good Stuff and they will find it out if they try them once they are not so easy scared as they think for.

I hope these things will never be But if they do you will find me with those who stand up for the defense of our rights be they many or few. But they will not be few, there is thousands of them. There is much more that I could say but I have perhaps said enough. I do not wish to discourage you.” –

This imp wishes to know in return how the soldiers feel about it. I would say to him, he had better keep out of their way; that is just how they feel towards all traitors, especially home traitors.

– Published in the Stark County News, Toulon, Illinois, Thursday, April 23, 1863