Posted inUS Civil War

January 18, 1861 – A French View of Secession

From the Paris Constitutional

Mr. Buchanan has sought out the means of preserving the Union from the catastrophe which threatens it; he has drawn up a plan of reconciliation between the Northern and Southern States. It cannot, however, be said that this project is a compromise, inviting the two adverse parties to mutual concessions and equal sacrifices; it is rather a summons addressed to one to yield to the exigencies of the other; it is more like a decision come to with partiality than an equitable arbitration. To the North, which has gained Its cause before the people, the President signifies that it must abandon the benefit of the decision for the profit of the South, which has been the losing party. Under pretext of conciliation, the Message calls on the conqueror to place himself under the feet of the conquered. Such is the ground-work of Mr. Buchanan’s propositions.

Posted inUS Civil War

January 12, 1861 – “Hold ’Em and let ’Em Fizz, till They Fizzle Out.”

This is the suggestion of a humble private citizen as to the best mode of treating the secessionists. The expression is not elegant, nor diplomatic, but it is sensible and hits the bull’s-eye in the center. We presume that the man who used it had not a very clear idea as to the details of the process he proposed, taking only a rough and comprehensive view. But his idea is the correct one, and furnishes a good text for a brief statement of the policy that will kill out the disunion conspiracy, if anything can.

Posted inUS Civil War

January 11, 1861 – The other side of the Question—Shall the North Secede from the South?

“The South Carolina Ordinance setting forth the list of grievances on account of which that State secedes, enumerates them thus:—1st. The Tariff Laws, which are stated to operate injuriously to the South. 2d. The rule that the majority of people in the Union shall govern. 3d. The resistance to the extension of Slavery into the Territories.”

If these are good and justifiable reasons for the Southern States seceding from the Union, says the Chicago Journal, then surely the Northern States have had better reasons to secede, long ago, for their grievances are ten fold greater. How would it do to “take the wind out of the sails” of the Southern soreheads, by a publication of Northern grievances, and a blustering threat that unless speedy redress is promised and given, the Free States will secede from the Slave States?