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Home , Henry Winter Davis, John Quincy Adams

Blaine, James G. Twenty Years of Congress from Lincoln to Garfield. 2 vols. Norwich, Conn.: Henry Bill Publishing Company, 1884.

Volume I CHAPTER I. A REVIEW OF THE EVENTS WHICH LED TO THE POLITICAL REVO- LUTION OF 1860. Original Compromises between the North and the South embodied in the Constitution. — Early Dissatisfaction with National Boundaries. — Acquisition of from by President Jefferson. — Bonaparte's Action and Motive in ceding Louisiana. — State of Louisiana admitted to the Union against Opposition in the North. — Agitation of Question in Connection with the Admission of to the Union. —The Two Missouri Compromises of 1820 and 1821. — Origin and Development of the Abolition Party'. — Struggle over the Right of Petition 1 CHAPTER II. Review of Events before 1860 (continued). — Early Efforts to acquire Texas. — Course of President Tyler. — Mr. Calhoun appointed . — His Successful Management of the Texas Question. — His Hostility to Mr. Van Buren. — Letters of Mr. Clay and Mr. Van BUREN OPPOSING THE ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. — Mr. CLAY NOMINATED AS the Whig Candidate for the Presidency in 1844. — Van Buren's Nomination DEFEATED. — Mil. POLK SELECTED AS THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE. — Disquietude of Mr. Clay. — His Change of Ground. — His Defeat. — Prolonged Rivalry between Mr. Clay and General Jackson. — Texas formally annexed to the union 26 CHAPTER III. Review (continued). — Triumph of the Democratic Party. — Impending Troubles with . — Position of Parties. — Struggle for the Equality of Free and Slave States. — Character of the Southern Leaders. — Their Efforts to control the Government. — Conservative Course of Secretaries Buchanan and Marcy. — Reluctant to engage in war with Mexico. — The Oregon Question, 54°, 40', or 49°. — Critical Relations with the British Government. — Treaty of 1846. — Character of the Adjustment. — Our Probable Loss by Unwise Policy' of the Democratic Party 41 CHAPTER IV. Review (continued). — Relations with Mexico. — General Taylor marches his Army to the . — First Encounter with the Mexican Army. — Excitement in the United States. — Congress declares "War against Mexico. — Ill Temper of the Whigs. — Defeat of the Democrats in the Congressional Elections of 1846. — Policy of Mr. Polk in Regard to Acquisition of Territory from Mexico. — Three-Million Bill. — The Famous Anti-slavery Proviso moved by David Wilmot. — . — His Public Service. — Robert C. Winthrop chosen Speaker. —Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. — Presidential Election of 1848. — Effort of the Administration to make a Democratic Hero out of the Mexican War. — Thomas H. Benton for Lieutenant- General. — Bill defeated. — Nomination of General Taylor for the Presidency by the Whigs. — Nomination of General Cass by the Democratic Party. — Van Buren refuses to support him. — Democratic Bolt in . — Buffalo Convention and the Organization of the Free-soil Party. — Nomination of Van Buren and Charles Francis Adams. — Mr. Clay's Discontent. — Mr. Webster's Speech at Marshfield. — General Taylor elected. — The Barnburners of New York. — Character and Public Services of Mr. Van Buren 62 CHAPTER V. Review (continued). — Contrast between General Taylor and General Cass. — The Cabinet of President Taylor. — Political Condition of the Country. —Effect produced by the Discovery of Gold in California. — Convening of Thirty-first Congress. — Election of Howell Cobb as Speaker. — President Taylor's Message. — His Recommendations Distasteful to the South. — Illustrious Membership of the Senate. — Mr. Clay and the Taylor

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Administration.— Mr. Calhoun's Last Speech in the Senate. — His Death. — His Character and Public Services. — Mr. Webster's 7th of March Speech. — Its Effect upon the Public and upon Mr. Webster. — Mr. Clay's Committee of Thirteen. — The Omnibus Bill. — Conflict with General Taylor's Administration. — Death of the President. — Mr. Fillmore reverses Taylor's Policy and supports the Compromise Measures. — Defeat of Compromise Bill. — Passage of the Measures separately. — Memorable Session of Congress. — Whig and Democratic Parties sustain the Compromise Measures. — National Conventions. — Whigs nominate over Fillmore. — Mr. Clay supports Fillmore. — Mr. Webster's Friends. — Democrats nominate . — Character of the Campaign. — Overwhelming Defeat of Scott. —Destruction of the Whig Party. — Death of Mr. Clay. — Death of Mr. Webster. — Their Public Characters and Services compared 86 CHAPTER VI. Review (continued). — The Strength of the Democratic Party in 1853. — Popular Strength not so great as Electoral Strength. — The New President's Pledge not to re- open the Slavery Question. — How he failed to maintain that pledge. — the north-west territory. — anti-slavery Restriction of the . — Movement to repeal it by Mr. Clay's Successor in the Senate. — Mr. Douglas adopts the Policy of repealing the Restriction. — It is made an Administration Measure AND CARRIED THROUGH CONGRESS. — COLONEL BENTON'S POSITION. — Antislavery Excitement developed in the Country. —Destruction of the Whig Party. — New Political Alliances. — American Party. — Know-Nothings. — Origin and Growth of the Republican Party. — Pro-slavery Development in the South. — Contest for the Possession of Kansas. —Prolonged Struggle. — Disunion Tendencies developing in the South. — Election of N. P. Banks to the Speakership of the House. — The Presidential Election of 1856,. — Buchanan- — Fremont. — Fillmore. — The Slavery Question the Absorbing Issue. — Triumph of Buchanan.— Dred Scott Decision. — Mr. Lincoln's Version of it. — Chief Justice Taney 109 CHAPTER VII. Review {continued). — Continuance of the Struggle for Kansas. — List of Governors. — Robert J. Walker appointed Governor by President Buchanan. — His Failure. — The Lecompton Constitution fraudulently adopted. — Its Character. — Is transmitted to Congress by President Buchanan. — He recommends the Admission of Kansas under its Provisions. — Pronounces Kansas a Slave State. — Gives Full Scope and Effect to the Dred Scott Decision. — Senator Douglas refuses to sustain the Lecompton Iniquity. - His Political Embarrassment. — Breaks with the Administration. — Value of his Influence against Slavery in Kansas. — Lecompton Bill passes the Senate. — Could not be forced through the House. — The English Bill substituted and passed. — Kansas spurns the Bribe. — Douglas regains his Popularity with Northern Democrats. — Republicans bitterly" hostile to him. — nominated to contest the Re-election of Douglas to the Senate. — Lincoln challenges Douglas to a Public Discussion. — Character of Each as a Debater. — They meet Seven Times in Debate. — Douglas re-elected. — Southern Senators arraign Douglas. — His Defiant Answer. — Danger of Sectional Division in the Democratic Party 138 CHAPTER VIII. Excited Condition of the South. — The John Brown Raid at Harper's Ferry. — Character of Brown. — Governor Wise. — Hot Temper. — Course of Republicans in Regard to John Brown. — Misunderstanding of the Two Sections. — Assembling of the Charleston Convention. — Position of Douglas and his Friends. — Imperious Demands of Southern Democrats. — selected for Chairman of the Convention. — The South has Control of the Committee on Resolutions. — Resistance of the Douglas Delegates. — They defeat the Report of the Committee. — Delegates from Seven Southern States withdraw. —

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Convention unable to make a Nomination. — Adjourns to . — — Convention divides. —Nomination of both Douglas and Breckinridge. — Constitutional Union Convention. — Nomination of Bell and Everett. — The Chicago Convention. — Its Membership and Character. — Mr. Seward's Position. — His Disabilities. — Work of his Friends, and William M. Evarts. — Opposition of Greeley. — Objections from Doubtful States. — Various Candidates. — Nomination of Lincoln and Hamlin. — Four Presidential Tickets in the Field. — Animated Canvass. — The Long Struggle over. — The South defeated. — Election of Lincoln. — Political Revolution of 1860 complete. . . 154 CHAPTER IX. The Tariff Question in its Relation to the Political Revolution of 1860. — A Century's Experience as to Best Mode of levying Duties. — Original Course of Federal Government in Regard to Revenue. — First Tariff Act. — The Objects defined in a Preamble. — Constitutional Power to adopt Protective Measure. — Character of Early Discussions. — The Illustrious Men who participated. — Mr. Madison the Leader. — The "War Tariff of 1812. — Its High Duties. — The Tariff of 1816. —Interesting Debate upon its Provisions. — Clay, Webster, and Calhoun take part. — Business Depression throughout the Country. — Continues until the Enactment of the Tariff of 1824. — Protective Character of that Tariff. — Still Higher Duties levied by the Tariff of 1828. — Southern Resistance to the Protective Principle. — Mr. Calhoun leads the Nullification Movement in . — Compromise effected on the Tariff Question. — Financial Depression follows. — Panic of 1837. — passed in 1842. — Free-trade Principles triumph with the Election of President Polk. — Tariff of 1846. — Prosperous Condition of the Country. — Difference of Opinion as to the Causes. — Surplus Revenue. — Plethoric Condition of the Treasury. — Enactment of the Tariff of 1857. — Both Parties support it in Congress. — Duties lower than at any time since the war of 1c12. — panic of 1857. — dispute as to its Causes. — Protective and Free-trade Theories as presented by their Advocates. — Connection of the Tariff with the Election of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency. — General Review . . . 178 CHAPTER X Presidential Election of I860. — The Electoral and Popular Vote. — "Wide Divergence between the Two. — Mr. Lincoln has a Large Majority of Electors. — In a Minority of 1,000,000 on Popular Vote. — Beginning of Secession. — Rash Course of South Carolina. — Reluctance on the Part of Many Southern States. — Unfortunate Meeting of South- Carolina Legislature. — Hasty Action of South-Carolina Convention. — The Word " Ordinance." — Meeting of Southern Senators in "Washington TO PROMOTE SECLSSION. UNWILLINGNESS IN THE SOUTH TO SUBMIT the Question to Popular Vote. — Georgia not eager to Secede. — Action of Other States. - Meeting of Congress in December, 1860. — Position of Mr. Buchanan. — His Attachment to the Union as a Pennsylvanian. — Sinister Influences in his Cabinet. — His Evil Message to Congress.— Analysis of the Message. —Its Position destructive to the Union. — The President's Position Illogical and Untenable. — Full of Contradictions. — Extremists of the South approve the Message.— Demoralizing Effect of the Message in the North and in the South. — General Cass resigns from State Department. — Judge Black succeeds him. — Character of Judge Black. — Secretaries Cobb, Floyd, and Thompson. — Their Censurable Conduct in the Cabinet. — Their Resignation. — Re-organization of Cabinet. — Dix, Holt, Stanton. —Close of Mr. Buchanan's Administration. — Change in the President's Course. — The New Influences. —Analysis of the President's Course. —There were two Mr. Buchanans. — Personal and Public Character of Mr. Buchanan . 215 CHAPTER XI Congress during the Winter of 1860-61. — Leave-taking of Senators and

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Representatives. — South Carolina the First to secede. —Her DELEGATION IN THE HOUSE PUBLISH A CARD WITHDRAWING. — OTHER STATES FOLLOW.— Mr. Lamar of Mississippi. — Speeches ok Seceding Senators. — Mr. Yulee and Mr. Mallory of . — Mr. Clay and Mr. Fitzpatrick of Alabama. — Jefferson Davis. — His Distinction between Secession and Nullification. — Important Speech by Mr. Toombs. — He defines Conditions on which the Union might be allowed to survive. — Mr. Iverson's Speech. — Georgia Senators withdraw. — Insolent Speech of Mr. Slidell of Louisiana. — Mr. Judah P. Benjamin's Special Plea for his State. — His Doctrine of "A Sovereignty held in Trust." — Same Argument by Mr. Yulee for his State. — Principle of State Sovereignty. — Disproved by the Treaty of 1783. — Notable Omission by Secession Senators. — Grievances not stated. — Secession Conventions in States. — Failure to state Justifying Grounds of Action. — Confederate Government fail likewise to do it. — Contrast with the Course of the Colonies. — Congress had given no Cause.— Had not disturbed Slavery by Adverse Legislation. — List of Measures Favorable to Slavery. — Policy of Federal Government steadily in that Direction. — Mr. Davis quoted Menaces, not Acts. — Governing Class in the South. — Division of Society there. — Republic ruled by an Oligarchy. — Overthrown by Election of Lincoln. — South refuses to acquiesce . 242 CHAPTER XII. Congress in the "Winter of 1860-61. — The North offers Many Concessions to the South. — Spirit of Conciliation. — Committee of Thirteen in the Senate. — Committee of Thirty-three in the House. — Disagreement of Senate Committee. — Propositions submitted to House Committee. — 's Measure. — Henry "Winter Davis. —Justin S. Merrill. — Mr. Houston of Alabama. — Constitutional Amendment proposed by Charles Francis Adams. — Report of the Committee of Thirty-three. — Objectionable Measures proposed. — Minority Report by Southern Members. — The Crittenden Compromise proposed. — Details of that Compromise. — Mr. Adams's Double Change of Ground. — An Old Resolution of the Legislature. — Mr. "Webster's Criticism Pertinent. — Various Minority Reports. — The California. Members. — "Washburn and Tappan. — Amendment to the Constitution passed by the House. — By the Senate also. —New Mexico. —The Fugitive-slave . — Mr. Clark of New Hampshire. — Peace Congress. — Invited by . — Assembles in Washington. — Peace Measures proposed. — They meet no Favor in Congress. — Territories of Colorado, Dakota, and Nevada organized. — Prohibition of Slavery abandoned. — Republicans in Congress do not ask it. — Explanation required. — James S. Green of Missouri. — His Character as a Debater. — Northern Republicans frightened at their own Success. — Anxious for a Compromise. — Dread of Disunion. — Northern Democrats. — Dangerous Course pursued by them. — General Demoralization of Northern Sentiment . . 258 CHAPTER XIII. Mr. Lincoln's Journey from Springfield to Washington. — Speeches on the Way. — Reaches "Washington. — His Secret Journey. — Afterwards regretted. — Precautions for his Safety. — President Buchanan. — Secretary Holt. — Troops for the Protection of Washington. — Inauguration of Mr. Lincoln. — Relief to the Public Anxiety. — Inaugural Address. — Hopefulness and Security in the North. — Mr. Lincoln's Appeal to the South. — Fails to appease Southern "Wrath. — Dilemma of the South. — The New Cabinet. — The "Easy Accession" of Former Times. — Seward Secretary of State. — Chase at the Head of the Treasury. — dissatisfied. — Influence of the Blairs. — Comment of . — The National Flag in the Confederacy. — Flying at only Three Points. — Defenseless Condition of the Government. — Confidence of Disunion Leaders. — Extra Session of the Senate. — Douglas and Breckinridge. — Their Notable Debate. — Douglas's Reply to

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Wigfall. — His Answer to Mason. — Condition of the Territories. — Slavery not excluded by Law. — Public Opinion in March, 1861. — Mr. Lincoln's Difficult Task. — His Wise Policy. — His Careful Preparation. — Statesmanship of his Administration 279 CHAPTER XIV. President Lincoln and the Confederate Commissioners. — Misleading Assurance given by Judge Campbell. — Mr. Seward's Answer to Messrs. FORSYTHE AND CRAWFORD. — An INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT IS DENIED to the Commissioners. — Rage in the South. — Condition of the Montgomery Government. — Roger A. Pryor's Speech. — President deter- mines to send Provisions to Fort Sumter. — Advises Governor Pickens. — Conflict precipitated. — The Fort surrenders. — Effect of the Conflict on the North. — President's Proclamation and Call for Troops. — Responses of Loyal States. — Popular Uprising. — Democratic Party. — Patriotism of Senator Douglas. — His Relations with Mr. Lincoln. — His Death. — Public Service and Character. — Effect of the President's Call on Southern States. — . — . — Virginia. — Senator Mason's Letter. — Responses of Southern Governors to the President's Call for Troops. — All decline to comply. — Some of them with Insolent Defiance. — Governors of the Free States. — John A. Andrew, E. D. Morgan, Andrew G. Curtin, Oliver P. Morton. — Energetic and Patriotic Action of all Northern Governors. — Exceptional Preparation in for the Conflict. — Governors of Free States all Republicans except in California and Oregon. — Critical Situation on Pacific Coast. — Loyalty of its People. — President's Reasons for postponing Session of Congress. — Election in . — Union Victory. — John J. Crittenden and Garrett Davis. — John Bell. — Disappoints Expectation of Union Men. — Responsibility of Southern Whigs. — Their Power to arrest the Madness. — Audacity overcomes Numbers. — Whig Party of the South. — Its Brilliant Array of Leaders. — Its Destruction 292 CHAPTER XV. Thirty-seventh Congress assembles. — Military Situation. — List of Senators: Fessenden, Sumner, Collamer, Wade, Chandler, Hale, Trumbull, Breckinridge, Baker of Oregon. — List of Members of the House of Representatives : Thaddeus Stevens, Crittenden, Lovejoy, Washburne, Bingham, Conkling, Shellabarger. — Mr. Grow elected Speaker. — Message of President Lincoln. — Its Leading Recommendations. —His Account of the Outbreak of the Rebellion. — Effect of the Message on the Northern People. — Battle of Bull Run. — Its Effect on Congress and the Country.— The Crittenden Resolution adopted. — Its Significance. — Interesting Debate upon it in the Senate. — First Action by Congress Adverse to Slavery. — Confiscation of Certain Slaves.— Large Amount of Business dispatched by Congress. — Striking am. Important Debate between Baker and Breckinridge. — Expulsion of Mr. Breckinridge from the Senate. — His Character. — Credit due to Union Men of Kentucky. — Effect produced in the South by Confederate Success at Bull Run. — Rigorous Policy adopted by the Confederate Government. — Law respecting "Alien Enemies." — Law sequestrating their Estates. — Rigidly enforced by Attorney-General Benjamin.— An Injudicious Policy 313 CHAPTER XVI. Second Session of Thirty-seventh Congress. — The Military Situation. — Disaster at Ball's Bluff. — Death of Colonel E. D. Baker. — The President's Message. — Capital and Labor. — Their Relation discussed by the President. — Agitation of the Slavery Question. — The House refuses to re-affirm the Crittenden Resolution. — Secretary Cameron- resigns. — Sent on Russian Mission. — Succeeded by Edwin M. Stanton. — His Vigorous War Measures. — Victories in the Field. — Battle of Mill Springs. — General Order of the President for a Forward Movement. — Capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. — Prestige and Popularity of General Grant. — Illinois Troops. — General Burnside's Victory in North Carolina. — Effect of the "Victories upon the Country. — Continued Success for the Union in the South-West. —

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Proposed Celebration. — The Monitor and the Merrimac. — Ericsson. — Worden. — Capture of by Farragut. — The Navy. — Its Sudden and Great Popularity. — Legislation in its Favor. — Battle of Shiloh. — Anxiety in the North. — Death of Albert Sidney Johnston. — General Halleck takes the Field. — Military Situation in the East. — The President and General McClellan. — The Peninsular Campaign. — 's Raid. — Its Disastrous Effect. — Fear for Safety of Washington. — Anti-slavery Legislation. — District of Columbia. Compensated Emancipation. — Colonization. — Confiscation. — Punishment of Treason 350 CHAPTER XVII. Ball's Bluff Disaster. — Mr. Conkling's Resolution of Inquiry. — Unsatisfactory Reply of Secretary Cameron. — Second Resolution. — Second Reply. — Incidental Debate on Slavery. — Arrest of General Charles P. Stone. — His History. — His Response to Criticisms made upon him. — Responsibility of Colonel Baker. — General Stone before the Committee on the Conduct of the War. — His Examination. —Testimony of Officers. — General Stone appears before the Committee a Second Time. — His Arrest by Order of the War Department. — No Cause assigned. — Imprisoned in Fort Lafayette. — Solitary Confinement. — Sees Nobody. — His Wife denied Access to him. — Subject brought into Congress. — A Search for the Responsibility of the Arrest. — Groundless Assumption of Mr. Sumner's Connection with it. — Mr. Lincoln's Message in Regard to the Case. — General Stone's Final Release by an Act of Congress. — Imprisoned for One Hundred and Eighty-nine Days. — Never told the Cause. — Never allowed a Trial. — Appears a Third Time before the Committee. — The True Responsibility for the Arrest.— His Restoration to Service. — His Resignation. — Joins the Khedive's Service 378 CHAPTER XVIII. The National Finances. — Debt when the Civil War began. — Deadly Blow to Public Credit. —Treasury Notes due in 18(51. — $10,000,000 required. — An Empty Treasury. — Recommendation by Secretary Dix. — Secretary Thomas recommends a Pledge of the Public Lands. — Strange Suggestions. — Heavy Burdens upon the Treasury. — Embarrassment of Legislators. — First Receipts in the Treasury in 18(51. — Chief Dependence HAD ALWAYS BEEN ON CUSTOMS. — MORRILL TARIFF GOES INTO EFFECT. — It meets Financial Exigencies. — Mr. Vallandigham puts our Revenue at $50,000,000, our Expenditures at $500,000,000. — Annual Deficiency under Mr. Buchanan. — Extra Session in July, 1861. — Secretary Chase RECOMMENDS $80,000,000 BY TAXATION, AND $240,000,000 BY LOANS. — LOAN Bill of July 17, 1861. — Its Provisions. — Demand Notes. — Seven-thirties. Secretary Chase's Report, December, 18(51. — Situation Serious. — Sales of Public Lands. — Suspension of Specie Payment. — The Loss of our Coin. — Its Steady Export to Europe 396 CHAPTER XIX. The Legal-tender Bill. — National Finances at the Opening of the Year 1862. — A Threefold Contest. — The Country thrown upon its own Resources. — A Good Currency demanded. — Government takes Control of the Question. — Authorizes the Issue of $150,000,000 of Legal-tender Notes. — Mr. Spaulding the Author of the Measure. — His Speech. — Opposed by Mr. Pendleton. — Position of Secretary Chase. — Urges the Measure upon Congress. — Speeches by Thaddeus Stevens, Mr. Vallandigham, Mr. V. B. Horton, Mr. Lovejoy, Mr. Conkling, Mr. Hooper, Mr. Morrill, Mr. Bingham, Mr. Shellabarger, Mr. Pike and Others. — Spirited and Able Debate. — Bill passes the House. — Its Consideration by the Senate. — Speeches by Mr. Fessenden, Mr. Sher- man, Mr. Sumner, Mr. Bayard, Mr. Collamer and Others. — Bill passes the Senate. — Its Weighty Provisions. — Secretary Chase on State Banks. — Policy of the Legal-tender Bill. — Its Effect upon the Business and Prosperity of the Country. — Internal Revenue Act. — Necessity of Large Sums from Taxation. — Public Credit

6 dependent on it. — Constitutional Provisions. — Financial Policy of . — Excises Unpopular. — Whiskey Insurrection. — Resistance by Law. — Supreme Court Decision. — Case of Hylton. — Provisions of New Act. — Searching Character. — Great Revenue desired. — Credit due to Secretary Chase 409 CHAPTER XX. Elections of 1862. — Mr. Lincoln advances to Aggressive Position on Slavery. — Second Session of Thirty-seventh Congress adjourns. — Democratic Hostility to Administration. — Democratic State Conventions. — Platforms in Pennsylvania, , , and Illinois. — Nomination of for Governor of New York. — The President prepares for a Serious Political Contest. — The Issue shall be the Union or Slavery. — Conversation with Mr. Boutwell. — Proclamation of Emancipation. — Meeting of Governors, at Altoona. — Compensated Emancipation proposed tor Border States. — Declined by their Senators and Representatives. — Anti-slavery Policy apparently Disastrous for a Time. — October Elections Discouraging. — General James S. Wadsworth nominated against Mr Seymour. — Illinois votes against the PRESIDENT. — FlVE Leading States against the President. — Administration saved in Part BY Border States. — Last Session of Thirty- seventh Congress. — President urges Compensated Emancipation again — Emancipation Proclamation, January 1, 1863. — Long Controversy over Question of Compensation for Slaves. — Test Case of Missouri. — Fifteen Million Dollars offered her. — General Pope's Campaign. — Army of the Potomac. — Battle of Antietam. — McClellan removed. — Burnside succeeds him. — defeat at Fredericksburg. — Hooker succeeds Burnside. — General Situation. — Arming of Slaves. — Habeas Corpus.— Conscription Law. — Depressed and Depressing Period .... 435 CHAPTER XXI. The President's Border-State Policy. — Loyal Government erected in Virginia. — Recognized by Congress and Senators admitted. — Desire for a New State. — The Long Dissatisfaction of the People of Western Virginia. — The Character of the People and of their Section. — Their Opportunity had come. — Organization of the Pierpont Government. — State Convention and Constitution. — Application to Congress for Admission. — Anti-slavery Amendment. — Senate Debate: Sumner, Wade, Powell, Willey, and Others. — House Debate:' Stevens, Conway, Bingham, Segar. — Passage of Bill in Both Branches. — Heavy Blow to the Old State. — Her Claims deserve Consideration. — Should be treated as generously at least as Mexico 457 CHAPTER XXII. National Currency and State Bank Currency. — In Competition. — Legal- tender Bill tended to expand State Bank Circulation. — Secretary Chase's Recommendation. — Favorably received. — State Bank Circulation, $150,000,000. — Preliminary Bill to establish National Banks. — Fessenden. — Sherman. —Hooper. — National Bank System in 1862. — Discussed AMONG THE PEOPLE. — RECOMMENDED BY THE PRESIDENT. — Mr. CHASE urges it. — Bill introduced and discussed in Senate. — Discussion in the House. — Bill passed. — Hugh McCulloch of Indiana appointed Comptroller of the Currency. — Amended Bank Act. — To remedy Defects, Circulation limited to 8300,000,000. — National Power. — State Rights. — Taxation. — Renewed Debate in Senate and House. — Bill passed. — Merits of the System. — Former Systems. — First Bank in the United States. — Charters of United-States Banks, 1701-1816. — National Banks compared with United-States Banks. — One Defective Element. — Founded on National Debt 470 CHAPTER XXIII. Depression among the People in 1863. — Military Situation. — Hostility to the Administration. — Determination to break it down. — Vallandigham's disloyal speech. — two rebellions threatened. — general Burnside takes command of the department of the Ohio.

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— arrests Vallandingham. — Tries him by Military Commission. — His sentence commuted by Mr. Lincoln. — Habeas Corpus refused. — Democratic Party protests. — Meeting in Albany. — Letter of Governor Seymour. — Ohio Democrats send a Committee to Washington. — Mr. Lincoln's Replies to Albany Meeting and to the Ohio Committee. — Effect of his "Words upon the Country. — Army of the Potomac. — General Hooker's Defeat at Chancellorsville. — Gloom in the Country. — The President's Letters to General Hooker. — General Meade succeeds Hooker in Command of the Army. — Battle of Gettysburg. — Important Victory for the Union. — Relief to the Country. — General Grant's Victory at Vicksburg. — Fourth of July. — Notable Coincidence. — State Elections favorable to the Administration. — Meeting of Thirty-eighth Congress. — Schuyler Colfax elected Speaker. — Prominent New Members tn Each Branch. — E. D. Morgan, Alexander Ramsey, John Conness, , Thomas A. Hendricks, , Robert C. Schenck, James A. Garfield, William B. Allison. — President's Message. — Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution. — First proposed by James M. Ashley. — John B. Henderson proposes Amendment which passes the Senate. — Debate in Both Branches. — Aid to the Pacific Railroad. — Lieutenant-General Grant . . . 488 CHAPTER XXIV. Presidential Election of 1864. — Preliminary Movements. — General Sentiment favors Mr. Lincoln. — Some Opposition to his Renomination. —Secretary Chase a Candidate. — The Pomeroy Circular." — Mr. Chase withdraws. — Republican National Convention. — Baltimore, June 7. — Fremont and Cochrane nominated. — Speech of Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge. — Mr. Lincoln renominated. — Candidates for Vice-President. — of Tennessee nominated. — Democratic National Convention. — Chicago, August 29. —Military Situation discouraging. — Character of the Convention. —Peace Party prevails. — Speeches of Belmont, Bigler, Hunt, Long, Seymour. — Nomination of General McClellan for President. — George H. Pendleton for Vice-President. — Platform. — Suits Vallandigham. — General McClellan accepts, but evades the Platform. — General Fremont withdraws. — Success of the Union Army. — Mr. Lincoln's Popularity. — General McClellan steadily loses Ground. — Sheridan's Brilliant Victories. — General McClellan RECEIVES the Votes of only Three States. — Governor Seymour DEFEATED IN NEW YORK 513 CHAPTER XXV. President's Message, December, 1864. — General Sherman's March. — Compensated Emancipation abandoned. — Thirteenth Amendment. — Earnestly recommended by the President. — He appeals to the Democratic Members. — Mr. Ashley's Energetic Work. — Democratic Opportunity. — Unwisely neglected. — Mr. Pendleton's Argument. — Final Vote. — Amendment adopted. — Cases arising under it. — Supreme Court. — Change of Judges at Different Periods. — Peace Conference at Fortress Monroe. — Secretary Chase resigns. — Mr. Fessenden succeeds him. — Mr. Fessenden's Report. — President Lincoln's Second Inauguration. —Fall of the Rebellion. — Surrender of Lee. — General Grant's Military Character. — Assassination of President Lincoln. — His Characteristics. — Cost of the War. — Compared with Wars of Other Nations.— Our Navy. — Created during the War. — Effective Blockade. — Its Effect upon the South. — Its Influence upon the Struggle. — Relative Numbers in Loyal and Disloyal States. — Comparison of Union and Confederate Armies. — Confederate. Army at the close of the War. — Union Armies compared with Armies of Foreign Countries. — Area of the War. — Its Effect upon the Cost. — Character of Edwin M. Stanton 533 CHAPTER XXVI. Relations with Great Britain. — Close of Year 1860. — Prince of Wales' Visit to the United States. — Exchange of Congratulatory Notes.— Dawn of the Rebellion. — Lord Lyons' Dispatch. — Mr. Seward's Views. — Lord John Russell's Threats. — Condition of

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Affairs at Mr. Lincoln's Inauguration. — Unfriendly Manifestations by Great Britain. — Recognizes Belligerency of Southern States. — Discourtesy to American- Minister. — England and France make Propositions to the Confederate States. — Unfriendly in their Character to the United States.— Full Details given. — Motives inquired into. — Trent Affair. — Lord John Russell. — Lord Lyons. — Mr. Seward. — Mason and Slidell released. — Doubtful Grounds assigned. — Greater Wrongs against us by Great Britain. — Queen Victoria's Friendship. — Isolation of United States. — Foreign Aid to Confederates on the Sea. — Details given. — So-called Neutrality. — French Attempt to establish an Empire in Mexico. — Lord Palmerston in 1848, in 1859, in 1801. — Concluding Observations 565

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