AFF Neoowslerrtte r ottf thhe Aeebra haPmP Leiencoooln Appssoclliaeteion Volume 6, Number 4 Winter 2004 S p r i n g f i e l d , I l l i n o i s

Mariah (Bartlett) Vance Daytime Servant to the Lincolns Part 1 By Wayne C. Temple * blacks as servants and yet often impress the Old Settlers Association, mong the people who had a confided in them as she had in child- but by and large her narration is most close relationship with Abra- hood after her father brought home a valuable to Lincoln historians. ham and Mary Ann (Todd) stepmother. Throughout her life, Mary Stephen Shelton was born about ALincoln in Springfield was Mariah depended upon blacks who generally 1779 in Virginia. There, he married (Bartlett) Vance. Her first name is were more docile to her demands. (In a Lydia Heath. They moved to the 1 sometimes spelled Maria. From several private letter, Mary referred to them as mouth of the Scioto River in Ohio but primary sources it is known that “darkies.”) Most blacks—even in the later went back to a spot just across the Mariah worked as a daytime maid, North—had descended from slave fam- Ohio River in Cabell County in what is laundress, nurse, and baby-sitter from ilies that by necessity were forced to now West Virginia. From there Shelton about 1850 until 1861, when the Lin- “get along” even when their treatment took his family to Illinois. Lydia died 2 colns departed for Washington, D.C. was grossly unfair. As a result, Mariah on November 20, 1830, and on March She probably followed Catherine Gor- labored patiently for Mary Lincoln 12 of the following year, Stephen mar- don, who lived with the Lincolns in longer than any of her other servants. ried Judith (or Judy) Neall, born in 1850 but on January 7, 1851, married Even in the White House, Mary found Virginia circa 1804, the daughter of William H. Batterton and, of course, a free mulatto, Elizabeth Keckly, to be Daniel and Polly (Booth) Neall. Shel- 3 moved out. But Mariah never resided an invaluable dressmaker as well as a ton died on January 22, 1859, in Sang- 7 in the Lincoln home. She was already respected confidant. Of course, Eliza- amon County. A prolific sire, he married with several small children and beth was educated, whereas Mariah fathered twelve children by his first merely commuted from her house on was illiterate. Mary did not mention wife and five by his second, who had 9 West Washington Street, west of the Mariah in any existing letters. come to Illinois in 1828. Springfield Gas Light and Coke Com- Mariah had never been a slave, but Mariah truly had no idea in what pany, which was located on the north- her mother, “Phebe” Bartlett, was year her birth had occurred. She only west corner of Washington and First when she was brought to Illinois by knew that the date was on the “second 4 streets. A black woman, Mariah was her master, Stephen Shelton. Shelton is Sunday in October.” She gave the year especially loved by Robert Lincoln, not shown in any Illinois Census until as 1811, which is not correct. In fact, who always relished her corn pone and 1830, but he purchased land for the she related various ages to the census 5 bacon. Without doubt, she proved to first time on April 3, 1825, in what is taker over the years. Nevertheless, she be more subservient to Mary Lincoln’s now Curran Township of Sangamon was positive that she had been born in demands and tolerated her volatile County and listed his residence as Illinois. So, her birth might have taken 8 mood swings much better than the being in that location. Mariah, how- place sometime between 1820 and white girls and “wild Irish,” as Mary ever, stated that she was born in Round 1823 or so, with her sister’s a year after 6 Lincoln termed some of them. Those Prairie, four miles east of Springfield in hers. That very rough estimate works girls came to and left the Lincoln home Clear Lake Township of Sangamon fairly well with other known facts and like the seasons. Mariah would have County. That perhaps was true. The calculations. She named her mother as filled in for departed maids or upon Sheltons may have stopped in that area being a “Mrs. Bartlett,” but did not occasion augmented the labors of those before purchasing their own land in identify her father, only stating in 1880 who were in residence. Curran Township, southwest of that he had been born in Tennessee. In Mary Lincoln had grown up in Springfield. Mariah, quite naturally, 1900 she declared his nativity as being Lexington, Kentucky, where slaves gave some misinformation in her 1903 in Virginia. The latter seems correct, practically raised her. They not only did interview in matters that she had not since the Sheltons came from there. her bidding but also served as her sur- witnessed in person. And she greatly However, the mystery seems to be rogate mother. Thus she later viewed exaggerated her age, probably to continued on page 3 2 For the People

“Lincoln in the 21st Century” A Two-Day Conference to Highlight the Opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum two-day scholarly conference will highlight the opening of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum. The registra- tion cost is $50 and covers the two lunches and one breakfast event. Reservations can be made by going to www.alplm.org and printing out the registration form or by calling Deanna Painter at 217.558.8900. Seating is lim- Aited, so make your plans now. Sunday April 17

8:45 A.M.— Welcome 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.— Lincoln the Self-Made Man Moderator: Rodney O. Davis, Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College Speakers: Daniel Walker Howe, University of California at Los Angeles; Steward Winger, Lawrence Technological University 10:30 A.M. to 10:45 — Break 10:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M. — The Intimate Lincoln Moderator: Wendy Hamand Venet, Georgia State University Speakers: Michael Chesson, University of Massachusetts; Jean Baker, Goucher College 12:30 P.M. to 1:45 P.M.— Luncheon Speaker: Michael Kauffman, author American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies 2:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M. — Lincoln, Slavery, and Race Moderator: Frank J. Williams, Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Speakers: Graham Peck, St. Xavier University; Allen C. Guelzo, Gettysburg College 3:30 P.M. to 3:45 P.M.— Break 3:45 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. — Keynote Address: David Gergen, Presidential Advisor

Monday April 18

7:30 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. — Abraham Lincoln Association Breakfast Report of the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission 8:45 A.M.— Welcome 9:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M.— Lincoln at War Moderator: Phillip S. Paludan, University of Illinois at Springfield Speakers: Jennifer Weber, Princeton University; Silvana Siddali, St. Louis University 10:30 A.M. to 10:45 A.M. — Break 10:45 A.M. to 12:15 P.M.— The Great Communicator Moderator: Douglas L. Wilson, Lincoln Studies Center, Knox College Speakers: Richard Carwardine, Oxford University; Ronald C. White, Huntington Library 12:30 P.M. to 1:45 P.M.— Luncheon Speaker: Louise Taper, “Collecting Lincoln” 2:00 P.M. to 3:30 P.M.— Lincoln and Presidential Leadership Moderator: Ronald Rietveld, California State University at Fullerton Speakers: Mark E. Neely Jr., Penn State University; Roger D. Bridges, Abraham Lincoln Association 3:30 P.M. to 3:45 P.M. — Break 3:45 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. — Summing Up: Three Generations of Lincoln Scholarship Moderator: Brian Lamb, C-SPAN Panel: David Herbert Donald, Harvard University; Harold Holzer, Lincoln Bicentennial Commission; Matthew Pinsker, Dickinson College For the People 3

THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION ROGER D. BRIDGES Mariah (Bartlett) Vance President MOLLY M. BECKER 5 RICHARD E. HART continued from page 1 See Literary Digest, Aug. 14, RICHARD MILLS solved in the finding of a probate 1926, 42. 6 Vice-Presidents record for “Black George” Bartlett in Justin G. Turner and Linda Levitt THOMAS F. S CHWARTZ Sangamon County disposing of his Turner¸ eds., Mary Todd Lincoln: Her Secretary personal effects—no real estate—on Life and Letters (New York: Alfred A. ROBERT A. STUART JR. April 25, 1823. This document shows Knopf, 1972), 46. Treasurer 7 that he was in Illinois prior to that For an excellent study of Mary ROBERT S. ECKLEY Immediate Past-President date. No other black, male Bartlett can Lincoln’s personality, see Jennifer Fleis- be found in the county during these chner, Mrs. Lincoln and Mrs. Keckly Board of Directors ( ) Kenneth L. Anderson early years in question. It is probable New York: Broadway Books, 2003 . Dan W. Bannister that this man was the “husband” of For “darkies,” see Tuner and Turner, Judith Barringer “Phebe” Bartlett. George must have 61. 8 Michael Burlingame accompanied the Sheltons to Illinois Mariah’s 1903 interview reported John Daly Brooks Davis and fathered one or both daughters that her mother had been a slave Rodney O. Davis shortly before his demise. Mariah and owned by S. Shelton. Federal Tract Donald H. Funk her sister had to have been only babies Book No. 68, p. 13, MS., Illinois State Allen C. Guelzo Kathryn M. Harris when he died and never remembered Archives. It was the W1/2, SW1/4, Earl W. Henderson Jr. him at all. Sec. 33, T 15N, R 6 W, 3 P.M., eighty Fred B. Hoffmann acres for $100. United States Census, Barbara Hughett 1 Robert J. Lenz She could not read or write as late 1830, Sangamon County, Ill., p. 14, 1. Lee McTurnan as one year before her death in 1904. 16. 9 Myron Marty Therefore, she never wrote out her John Carroll Power, History of the Susan Mogerman Georgia Northrup own first name as to spelling which has Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Illi- Phillip S. Paludan been given both ways in records. See nois (Springfield: Edwin A. Wilson & James W. Patton III her interview with a reporter for the Co., 1876), 538, 645–647. Power has Mark Plummer Gerald Prokopowicz Illinois State Journal (Springfield), July an error in the birthplace of Shelton James A. Rawley 13, 1903, p. 5, col. 3. Doug Pokorski and reported the wrong date for his Marvin Sanderman discovered this valuable interview and marriage to his second wife. Shelton’s Brooks D. Simpson Richard Norton Smith published an article about it in Heart- true place of birth is taken from the Nicky Stratton land Magazine, an insert for the State United States Census, 1850, Sanga- Louise Taper Journal-Register (Springfield), June mon County, Ill., p 177B, 11. 19–25, Donald R. Tracy [27], 2003, p. 10A. and his marriage to Mrs. Neall from Andy VanMeter 2 Margaret VanMeter Illinois State Journal, July 13, the Sangamon County Marriage Daniel R. Weinberg 1903. “Uncle Joe” Cannon, once Records. Vibert White Robert Willard Speaker of the United States House of Kenneth J. Winkle Representatives, reported his conversa- * Wayne C. Temple is the Deputy Honorary Directors tions with Robert Todd Lincoln and Director of the Illinois State Archives. Governor Rod R. Blagojevich his visit with Robert to see Mariah at Senator Richard Durbin Danville in 1896. Literary Digest, Aug. Part 2 will appear in the next issue of Senator Peter Fitzgerald Congressman Ray LaHood 14, 1926, 42. It was not on the 1900 For the People. Congressman John Shimkus campaign but the 1896. 3 Mayor Timothy J. Davlin United States Census, 1850, The Honorable Rita Garman For the People (ISSN 1527–2710) is Springfield, Sangamon County, Ill., p. published four times a year and is a Emeritus Directors 120B, 1. 35; Marriage License, Sanga- John R. Chapin benefit of membership of the Cullom Davis mon Co.; Temple, By Square & Com- Abraham Lincoln Association John J. Trutter pass: Saga of the Lincoln Home 1 Old State Capitol Plaza Harlington Wood Jr. ( ) Mahomet, Ill.: Mayhaven, 2002 , Springfield, Illinois Distinguished Directors 130. 4 62701 Mario M. Cuomo Williams’ Springfield Directory . . . David Herbert Donald John Hope Franklin for 1860–61 (Springfield, Ill.: Johnson Editorial and design services by Harry V. Jaffa & Bradford, 1860), 132, 138. They William B. Tubbs Robert W. Johannsen had lived there for several years prior to Garry Wills ([email protected]) this listing. 4 For the People

Civil War Censorship and the Suppression of the Chicago Times 3 By Roger Waite * coln.” At the other strongly Republi- were often not so blunt; often informa- ince the ratification of the Bill of can newspaper, the German-language tion was not outrightly removed, but Rights freedom of the press has Illinois Staats-Zeitung, its first editor manipulated to their ends. Indeed, on been considered a basic, constitu- during the Civil War, George Schneider, assessing one of his principal reporters Stional freedom. Furthermore, the opin- was awarded the position of consul to during the Civil War period, Storey ion has subsequently developed that Denmark, “principally on account of stated that he was “an effective, faithful newspapers need to be independent— his having sent a memorial through a man . . . but lacking the manipulation substantially unencumbered by the committee . . . to influence the press in of details.” Instances of this abound interference of government or by the the northern part of Europe.” Its sec- when comparing the reporting of news- control of political parties. While these ond editor, after 1862, was onetime papers of different political affiliations. growing concepts have been mani- county sheriff and prominent party For example, while the Tribune 4 fested daily, the true tests of the boss Anthony Hesing.” Naturally, reported on the rebel attack of firmness of these beliefs have occurred strong loyalty to the party had its Murfreesboro separately, the Times only in times of crisis. During the Civil benefits, as seen by the Tribune’s suc- grouped its report with loosely related War numerous battles raged over the cessful effort to have their part-owner reports of several other raids in Ken- responsibility of the federal govern- John Scripps appointed postmaster of tucky and Tennessee, stretching over a ment to swiftly and decisively pursue Chicago by Lincoln, while in competi- week, and emphasized the fact that the 9 the war and the rights of newspapers to tion from all the other Republican attack ended in a federal surrender. 5 print freely. One of the most outstand- newspapers of the city. The Democra- This was no secret matter and indeed, ing controversies in this struggle was tic newspapers as well represented when the editors of the Evening Journal that over the suppression of the clearly partisan politics. The major evidently implied that comments that Chicago Times in June of 1863. While Democratic Chicago newspaper of the the Tribune made were critical of Gen- this incident, in the most direct sense, era was the Chicago Times. When eral Grant’s plans for the Battle of was a success for supporters of freedom Wilbur F. Storey assumed the editor- Vicksburg, the editors of the Tribune of speech, it failed to significantly affect ship of the newspaper in 1861, it was tried to clarify their position, stating: the public or the government’s attitude owned by prominent Democratic “We are for the General that wins; toward the issue because it was consid- industrialist Cyrus McCormick, from that’s our platform, from the first gun ered a political matter. whose views Storey rarely erred in his was fired and will be, until the last rebel 6 The newspapers of Chicago, as editorial opinion. Indeed, Storey’s is vanquished.” This underscores, how- with the rest of the nation, were almost original intent was to align the newspa- ever, that the kind of preferences that without exception political organs. per with Douglas Democrats, but had merely been political had become, Each one represented some political opted for representing the pro- in time of war, a matter of patriotism. camp. As one observer enumerated, the Buchanan faction because the view was Governmental censorship, though Tribune was the “most Republican,” the not already represented by a local news- generally not harsh, was quickly and Evening Journal represented the “Con- paper and because “it also represented commonly set in place. By April of servative Republican” constituency, the those Democratic leaders who by their 1862, the federal government took Post was the “exponent of War Democ- wealth were best able to give substantial control of the telegraph wires in Wash- 7 racy,” and the Times was “semi-seces- assistance.” ington, D.C., eventually putting their 1 sion.” More than merely favoring one Perhaps the most pervasive forms control under the stewardship of the 10 party, many owners and editors had of censorship were not external but War Department. Naturally, therefore, extremely close connections to the internal, toward their partisan objec- newspaper dispatches from the city structure of political parties. Indeed, the tives. Often, Chicago newspapers came under the control of that depart- editor of the Tribune, Joseph Medill, would reprint dispatches from out-of- ment. The House of Representatives played an important role in the genesis town publications. Covering the Battle authorized the Judiciary Committee to of the Republican Party by organizing of Antietam on September 23, 1862, investigate telegraphic censorship, and early political meetings in 1854 at his for example, both the Chicago Tribune eventually suggested that the govern- office at the Cleveland Leader. He subse- and the Chicago Times reprinted the ment “not interfere with free transmis- quently stated: “It is a fact that none of report of a correspondent for the New sion of intelligence by telegraph, when 11 the other meetings in any state ante- York Tribune, identical in most regards the same will not aid the enemy.” 2 dated our little gathering.” Medill and except for the fact that the Times excised However, this was sometimes inter- his fellow editors further “used every the correspondent’s comments in praise preted rather loosely, as evidenced by 8 resource at their disposal to elect Lin- of General Hooker’s strategy. Things the complaint by an Associated Press For the People 5 correspondent in 1863 that a routine Vallandigham’s residence in Dayton published scathing editorials on the 22 dispatch was suppressed on the claim of and “then and there seized your peti- matter. the supervisor of the telegraphs that it tioner [Vallandigham] by overpower- While the Times continued to 12 was “mischievous and reprehensible.” ing numbers and carried him to the become more vehement in their Much more extreme and questionable City of Cincinnati . . . where they attacks, so did others become more acts were committed by the generals. imprisoned him . . . in a building . . . concerned by their publication. One of 17 Frémont, in command of Missouri, then used as a military prison.” Val- the first to act was the Chicago Board took rather extreme methods to sup- landigham requested a writ of habeas of Trade, which in late December 1862 press the press of the opposition, sup- corpus. Habeas corpus had been sus- issued a resolution stating that the pressing several newspapers as did a pended in some areas of the rebellion, Times articles were “calculated to give variety of military officials in that state but suspension elsewhere was highly aid and comfort to traitors,” and there- and, most extensively in Kansas and controversial. His request was denied fore banned its reporters from the Nebraska. These orders varied widely in in a decision by the Circuit Court for exchange and the newspaper from its 23 character and severity, ranging from the Southern District of Ohio that very reading room. Several other local orders prohibiting the circulation of loosely interpreted Lincoln’s, and thus establishments followed suit in ban- certain newspapers to, in one instance, Burnside’s, authority stating of the for- ning the Times, most notably the the arrest of the editor of the Missouri mer that “in dealing with what he may Galena and Chicago Union Railroad. Democrat. The justifications for these rightfully do under this power where At around the same time, Union gener- actions were rather uniform and largely there is no legislative declaration the als began to ban the circulation of the consistent with the reasoning of the President is guided solely by his own newspaper within their districts, until 24 time. The assistant provost marshal at judgment and discretion,” and of the all but Grant had banned it. Fulton, Missouri, on ordering the end latter that in reason “the President has However, increased pressure began of circulation of several New York clothed him with all the power neces- to beg governmental action. In August newspapers in April 1863, declared that sary to the efficient discharge of his 1862 Illinois Governor Yates wrote to 18 “the doctrines promulgated by these duty.” Despite his status as a civilian, Secretary of War Stanton and com- sheets are of a character only tending to Vallandigham was found guilty of vio- plained about the severity of the draft give aid and comfort to the rebels . . . lation of General Order 38, which dodging in Chicago and suggested that and stir up a spirit of discord and oppo- Burnside treated almost like a convic- martial law be reimposed and, imply- 13 19 sition.” Thus, the general attitude was tion of treason. In the interest of ing that the Times was partly responsi- that publications need not actually keeping Vallandigham from a martyr- ble, stated: “There is an . . . almost advocate treason but needed only to like status and increasing popular asso- unanimous demand that the Chicago contribute not specifically to treason, ciation of him with the insurgents, Lin- Times should be immediately sup- but to “opposition.” Lincoln’s reaction coln intervened and ordered that rather pressed for giving aid and comfort to 25 to one of these incidents, the arrest of than being imprisoned, he should be the enemy.” Martial law was re- 20 the editor of the Democrat, again typical turned over to the rebels. imposed, but no action was taken of the thinking, was political rather The Chicago Times was one of the against the Times. Burnside, rather con- than legal. He reasoned that the action largest newspapers in the Midwest. Ini- cerned by the fact that many of the threatened General Schofield’s “middle tially, its editor, Storey, was very favor- Department’s “newspapers were full of position” and that he should just “spare able to the war. Many of his editorials treasonable expressions,” began to take 14 26 me the trouble” of the situation. into late 1862 were supportive of the action against disloyal publications. Ambrose Burnside had been trans- Administration, at times supporting First there was General Order 38, but ferred to the Department of Ohio, enlistment, at others coming out on June 1, 1863, Burnside issued Gen- including the State of Illinois, in March strongly against supposed, secret Cop- eral Order 84. The order banned both 1863, following his failings at the Bat- perhead societies, and once even advo- the publication of the Chicago Times tle of Fredericksburg in December cating the closure of incendiary news- and the circulation of the New York 15 21 1862. He soon thereafter became papers. Like most War Democrats, World in the Department of the Ohio. embroiled in several debacles. The first Storey desired the war only to preserve The order stated that the latter tended came after the arrest of the prominent the Union. Thus, after the announce- “to cast reproach upon the Govern- Ohio politician Clement Vallandigham. ment of the Emancipation Proclama- ment and weaken efforts to suppress At a speech attended by two military tion, he became increasingly suspicious the rebellion,” and that the former con- officers on May 1, 1863, Vallandigham of abolitionist tendencies in Lincoln tained “the repeated expression of dis- 27 specifically voiced his opposition to and he became unmitigatedly hostile loyal and incendiary sentiments.” Burnside’s General Order 38 against by the time Burnside took control of These orders were reached in Spring- disloyal speech, though he did not the Department of the Ohio in March field by wire at 1 P.M. of the same day 16 specifically advocate anything illegal. 1863. Naturally, Storey was particu- by General Ammen and were sent to On the strength of this, on May 5, larly angered by Burnside and his the head of Camp Douglas, Captain about one hundred soldiers surrounded actions in relation to Vallandigham and continued on next page 6 For the People

Civil War Censorship and the Suppression of the Chicago Times continued from previous page no steps or measures to carry into landigham, support Jackson’s suppres- 28 Putnam. The proprietors of the Times effect the said order.” The suit was not sion of New Orleans newspapers dur- were informed soon thereafter and at heard on the grounds that the defen- ing the War of 1812, and declared: “he about 4 A.M. on June 2, 1863, two dants had not been informed. In the who dissuades one man from volun- companies of the Sixty-fifth Illinois intervening time, Drummond had teering . . . weakens the Union cause as Infantry took control of the Times requested the presence of David Davis, much as he who kills a Union sol- 29 45 building. No arrests were made and Associate Justice of the United States dier.” Lincoln did subsequently the majority of the day’s newspapers Supreme Court, who arrived on June admit: “I was embarrassed with the 36 were already printed and distributed, 4. The trial began on June 4, with a due to the Military service on the one though those that remained were Mr. Joy representing the Times and the hand the Liberty of the Press on the 30 46 destroyed. district attorney representing two of other.” Nonetheless, it appears that Concerned by the growing outcry the military defendants, Ammen and Lincoln was as concerned with political or the legal implications of the matter, Putnam. The day was taken up prima- opinion in Chicago toward the matter several prominent businessman and rily with opening arguments by Joy in as with the law, as evidenced by his political figures of both parties met at which he pointed to the importance of reliance on the apparent support of the city’s courthouse in a private meet- a free press and the potential of the Arnold. 37 ing on the night of June 2. The exact financial ruin of the Times. However, The actions of the public, though circumstances of the convocation of the after the revocation of the original much stronger, were largely done in meeting are not known but it was com- order was issued, Joy argued for the narrow political interest. The flyers that 38 monly supposed that Senator Trumbull, case’s dismissal on June 5. This action called for protests against the order, who is said to have had an interest in suggests that he was concerned more though they began with mention of the Tribune, convoked the meeting for with immediate concerns than creating “Free Speech and Freedom of the fear of the destruction of the Tribune legal precedent. Press,” clearly revealed their nature by 31 offices by riots. Eventually, a fairly Lincoln swiftly decided to act in speaking of “suppressing newspapers diplomatic petition was agreed upon the situation. Having received the peti- always Democratic and consequently and sent to the telegraph office, stating: tion from Chicago, being endorsed by always loyal.” Indeed, while talk of “In the opinion of this meeting of citi- two prominent politicians, Lincoln freedom of the press was pervasive, it zens . . . the peace of the city and State, telegraphed orders suggesting that the was an issue championed almost exclu- if not the general welfare of this coun- order be lifted, to which Burnside fol- sively by Democrats, as their newspa- try, is likely to be promoted by the sus- lowed with an order to revoke General pers were the most common targets. 39 pension . . . of the recent order of Gen- Order 84 on June 4, 1863. How- While the Illinois House of Represen- 32 eral Burnside.” Along with this peti- ever, soon, Lincoln also wrote stating: tatives passed a motion of censure that tion was a request of Trumbull and “I have received additional dispatches blasted the suppression as “in direct Congressman Isaac Arnold for Lincoln which . . . induce me to believe we violation of the Constitution of the 33 to immediately consider the petition. should revoke or suspend the order United States . . . and destructive of 40 Outside of the same courthouse, suspending the Chicago Times.” How- those God-given principles,” and larger and less ruly protests were being ever, as Burnside had already issued the boldly claimed that it “threatens an act 41 staged. A crowd had originally devel- revocation, he let it stand. so revolutionary and despotic . . . oped outside the Times office, but its Governmental reaction to the inci- [that] if carried into effect, we consider size caused it to be moved to a larger dent was varied, but not strong. Secre- it equivalent to the establishment of a area before the courthouse as the tary of the Navy Gideon Welles stated: military despotism,” so many assem- crowd surged to nearly twenty thou- “The proceedings were arbitrary and blymen opposed it, on partisan lines, 34 sand. While it appeared that the mob injudicious. . . . Good men, who wish and so many refused to respond to roll was largely spontaneously formed, it to support the Administration, find it that a quorum could not be had at the 42 47 has been suggested that members of difficult to support these acts.” This in first vote. Naturally, then, the resolu- the crowd were plied with alcohol by no way stopped Burnside, as bans that tions concluded with request that they 35 supporters of Storey. he had issued on other newspapers be forwarded to Republican Governor 48 On the same night, Storey and his remained in effect. The Cincinnati Yates. Yet this concedes as much gen- partner Worden filed suit against the Enquirer was banned from March 5, eral political dissent and mistrust as 43 three military officials involved in the 1863, until April 5, 1865. In a later genuine legal concern. Republican Federal Circuit Court. Due to the late letter concerning Burnside’s actions, response was comparably extreme and hour, the case could not be heard until Lincoln maintained that all his acts not a bit less partisan. The revocation 44 the next morning, but Judge Drum- were “constitutional and lawful.” He was described in one editorial as a new mond enjoined the defendants “to take went on to justify the treatment of Val- opportunity for “treasonous sheets . . . For the People 7 to blurt treason in the face of the loyal influence and fears over violence than tier, and during a thoroughly modern 49 masses.” Indeed, a committee of direct concern about the legality of the war fought over the contentions of the members of the Union League essen- issue. The kind of vituperative com- early modern age. tially coerced Arnold into telegraphing plaint in which the Times, and so many 1 Lincoln to explain that his previous other newspapers, engaged would Fredrick Francis Cook, Bygone dispatch did not represent his support have been in most times of little con- Days in Chicago: Recollections of the of his petition, and the Chicago Tribune cern. Yet in a period when policy of the “Garden City” of the Sixties (Chicago: took great pain to dispel claims that its nation was so tightly wound with A. C. McClurg & Co., 1910), 73. 2 stockholders were involved with that agenda of one party in pursuing such a James O'Donnell Bennett, Joseph 50 petition. The Tribune, probably to pressing concern, the distinction Medill: A Brief Biography and an Appre- foster opposition, went as far as to between expressing political opinions ciation (Chicago, 1947), 11. 3 publish forged letters implying that and disloyalty became blurred. It was Elmer Gertz, Joe Medill’s War Northern, Copperhead newspapers this situation that made the response (Chicago: Abraham Lincoln Book were in league with Confederate jour- to the Times incident seem logical. Per- Shop, 1945),6. 51 4 nalists. Even among the more liber- haps another contributing factor was A. T. Andreas, History of Chicago, ally minded of the Republicans, men the great divide between those in from the Earliest Period to the Present like Arnold took it for granted that the power and those who challenged this Time (1884; rpt. New York: Arno president did have sufficient power to exercise of that power. It was a conflict Press, 1975), 2:449. 5 suppress if needed, and that publica- between men like Storey, who repre- John J. McPhaul, Deadlines & tions like the Times were influenced by sented the most liberal interpretation Monkeyshines: The Fabled World of 52 subversive, secret societies. of individual rights, and thus also for Chicago Journalism (Englewood Cliffs, In the estimation of onetime the press, under the Constitution and N.J.: Prentice-Hall, 1962), 40. 6 reporter Franc Wilkie, while the sup- the self-sufficient and self-determining Donald Bridgeman Sanger, “The pression of the Chicago Times was one agrarian ideals of Jacksonian Democ- Chicago Times and the Civil War,” Mis- of the best things to happen to the racy, and men like Burnside who repre- sissippi Valley Historical Review 17 newspaper, it was not a major event in sented a more urban view of govern- (1931): 561. 53 7 terms of freedom of the press. This mental responsibilities and collective Cook, 331. 8 was not so much due to lack of direction. The gulf in this reasoning Chicago Tribune, Sept. 23, 1862, attempts to attack the perceived injus- was so great that one cannot help but 1; Chicago Times, Sept. 23, 1862, 1. 9 tice, but to a complex series of events. to understand why the matter was not Chicago Tribune, July 19, 1862, 2; There was the simple matter that the solved on common terms. Yet it still Chicago Times, July 16, 1862, 4. 10 greatest grievances were rectified represents part of a continuing strug- Robert S. Harper, Lincoln and the before any real legal challenge could gle between the interest of individual Press (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1951), have been raised. Yet more signifi- liberty and the pursuit of the societal 129. 11 cantly, the whole matter was dealt in agenda. It was a kind conflict that was, Ibid., 131. 12 more of a political than legal manner. if nothing else, very reflective of its New York Times, June 14, 1863, 8. 13 The end of the suppression, as it came, place and time, a budding metropolis Harper, 146. was more the result of political built upon the principles of the fron- continued on next page

APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Please enroll me as a member of the Mail this application (or a photocopy) Abraham Lincoln Association in the and a check to: category indicated: The Abraham Lincoln Association Railsplitter $35 1 Old State Capitol Plaza ($25 Student) Springfield, Illinois Postmaster $75 62701 Lawyer $200 Congressman $500 Name President $1,000 Street Web site: www.alincolnassoc.com City Members residing outside the U.S. add State $3.00. Zip 8 For the People

Civil War Censorship and the Suppression of the Chicago Times continued from previous page and the Chicago Times,” Civil War His- Lincoln and Johnson (Boston: Hough- 14 Ibid., 145. tory 7 (1981): 249. ton Mifflin, 1911), 321. 15 27 43 Theodore J. Karamanski, Rally Chicago Tribune, June 3, 1863, 1. Harper, 220. 28 44 ’Round the Flag: Chicago and the Civil Ibid. Chicago Tribune, June 17, 1863, 2. 29 45 Wa r (Chicago: Nelson Hall, 1993), 191. Chicago Evening Journal, June 3, Ibid. 16 46 William Marvel, Burnside (Chapel 1863, 4. Abraham Lincoln to Isaac N. 30 Hill: University of North Carolina Ibid. Arnold, May 25, 1864, in Roy P. 31 Press, 1991), 235. Tenney, “To Suppress or Not To Basler, ed., The Collected Works of Abra- 17 “Habeas Corpus Proceedings in Suppress,” 254. ham Lincoln (New Brunswick, N.J.: 32 the Case of Clement L. Vallandigham,” Chicago Tribune, June 5, 1863, 1. Rutgers University Press, 1952), 33 in The War of the Rebellion: Compilation Tenney, “To Suppress or Not To 7:361. 47 of the Official Records of the Union and Suppress,” 254. Journal of the House of Representa- 34 Confederate Armies (Washington, D.C.: Tenney, “Major General A. E. tives of the Twenty-Third General Assembly GPO, 1899), Ser. 2, 5:573. Burnside and the First Amendment: A of the State of Illinois, at Their Regular 18 Ibid., 580, 581. Case Study of Civil War Freedom of Session, Began and Held at Springfield, 19 Frank L. Klement, Lincoln’s Crit- Expression” (Ph.D. diss., Indiana Uni- January 5, 1863 (Springfield, Ill.: Baker ics: The Copperheads of the North, ed. versity, 1977), 210. and Philips, 1865), 661. 35 48 Steven K. Rogstad (Shippensburg, Pa.: Chicago Sun Times, Oct. 24, Ibid., 662. 49 White Mane, 1999), 125. 1943. Chicago Tribune, June 6, 1863, 2. 20 36 50 Marvel, 237. Chicago Evening Journal, June 4, General Burnside’s Order No. 84, 21 Justin E. Walsh, To Print the News 1863, 1. Suppressing the Chicago Times and Its 37 and Raise Hell! A Biography of Wilbur F. Tenney, “Major General A. E. Burn- History (Chicago, 1864), 2. 51 Storey (Chapel Hill: University of side and the First Amendment,” 214. Chicago Tribune, June 5, 1863, 1. 38 52 North Carolina Press, 1968), 156. Ibid., 226. General Burnside’s Order No. 84, 4. 22 39 53 Sanger, 568. Chicago Tribune, June 5, 1863, 1. Franc B. Wilkie, Personal Reminis- 23 40 Chicago Tribune, Jan. 1, 1863, 4. E. M. Stanton to Ambrose Burn- cences of Thirty-Five Years of Journalism 24 Walsh, 170. side, June 4, 1863, in War of the Rebel- (Chicago: F. J. Schulte and Company, 25 Richard Yates to E. M. Stanton, lion, Ser. 3, 3:252. 1891), 101. 41 Aug. 7, 1862, in War of the Rebellion, Tenney, “To Suppress or Not To Ser. 3, 2:316. Suppress,” 257. * Roger Waite is the 2003 winner 26 42 Craig D. Tenney, “To Suppress or Gideon Welles, The Diary of of the Abraham Lincoln Association Not To Suppress: Abraham Lincoln Gideon Welles, Secretary of Navy under Student Award.

Nonprofit Organization For the People U.S. Postage A N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e A b r a h a m L i n c o l n A s s o c i a t i o n PAID 1 O l d S t a t e C a p i t o l P l a z a Springfield, Illinois S p r i n g f i e l d , I l l i n o i s 6 2 7 0 1 Permit No. 263

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