Who's smiling now? W.L. Yancey
150 years ago this week The New-York Times BRECKINRIDGE correspondent commented on affairs in the newly independent Alabama. Here are some excerpts (The New-York Times January 26, 1861):
THE DISUNION QUESTION.; SOUTHERN CORRESPONDENCE. FROM ALABAMA. HOW IT SEEMS TO BE “OUT OF THE UNION” CONTEMPT FOR CONCILIATION AIMS OF THE SECESSION LEADERS THE FEAR OF WAR, ETC.
REPUBLIC OF ALABAMA,
MONTGOMERY, Saturday, Jan. 19, 1861.
The news that Georgia had passed the secession ordinance was received here this afternoon, and immediately announced to the home-abiding citizens by what the Press, in their highly figurative phrase, are accustomed to call a hundred guns; — a calculating mind would observe, however, that by some singular acoustic freak, not a quarter of this number of reports came to the ear for enumeration, which only shows that figures are not as infallible as some are apt to believe. The news, though calculated by its unexpected majority to create a good deal of enthusiasm, was received with a singular apathy.
Since the passage of the ordinance which places us out of the Union, we seem to have fallen on days of quiescence — of peace so unexpected and grateful that the near prospect of a war in Florida, as all look at it, can scarcely disturb its luxury. The Secessionists are now satisfied that they have placed the State where it cannot retreat, or at least will not, while the conservative part of community accept the decision of the Convention, and glad of something settled, are now most anxious to preserve peace with the Federal Government. Thus in the benignant glow of this momentary repose these two irreconcilable parties stand side by side. Still the peace, unless cemented by a common danger, is but a truce, and may at any time be broken up. It is privately whispered, though with what foundation it is impossible to say, that many of the delegates to the Convention from the northern part of the State absolutely refuse to sign the ordinance, and even threaten that that portion of the State will go with Tennessee. It is this, it is thought, which is prolonging the session of the Convention, which some days ago declared itself ready to close as soon as the ordinance was signed.
… I can scarcely hope that any plan of reconciliation proposed by Congress will produce any immediate results.The difficulty is, it cannot be brought to touch the people. The politicians will never let the decision of this question, in whatever form presented, go directly to to the people so long as they hold the authority, as they now do, in their own hands. I have found few that doubt that if the question of the secession of this State had been permitted to return to the people for their sanction, it never would have passed. The Secessionists were afraid to let the question go before the people. The men who hold the authority are crafty and ambitious, and represent now the popular, in the sense of enthusiastic, sentiment, and we can look for no voluntary surrendering of power. …
… Perhaps the most contented man in our city now is Mr. YANCEY. Long the arch apostle of this movement, he is now reaping the golden fruit of his labors. From being the most unpopular man in the State, he is fast becoming a man of ten thousand partisans, and I notice, as I pass him in the street, that a smile of almost genial satisfaction is rapidly pushing out the expression of bitterness which had become, habitual to his countenance. He is very far yet from being a popular man, but the new Confederacy owes him a high office, and the labors of his lifetime will not have been in vain.
The Legislature which has been in session this week has done little, but in its action and in the message of the Governor we catch a glimpse of the bill which before many months will be offered to the taxpayers of the State, for the purpose of putting the State on a war footing. The Governor advises a loan of two million of dollars, one million of which is to be procured from the State Banks; he further advises an addition of thirteen thousand to the contingent fund, and a suitable sum for the payment of the State troops now doing duty at Pensacola.
In view of the sufferings anticipated among the poor, each county is advised to appoint a Commissioner who shall, if necessary, before the collection of taxes, pledge the public property by mortgage, and thus supply the wants of the suffering. For the payment of the delegates to the Convention the Legislature have voted the sum of $100,000. …
The fear of a war is now the great dread of all, notwithstanding the fact that there are very few who do not believe that one Southron can drive before him five Yankees. … I cannot close without a word in reference to the really delicate question of coercion.
Though I do not for a moment hesitate to say that if the word were carried out in its full and offensive significancy — if a real coercive war was undertaken — such a course would do much to render even a future reconciliation of the sections a matter of question’ still daily observation convinces me that the present, firm, and dignified course of the Government, accompanied as it is with the conciliating spirit of the North, is doing good. The fact is, the North cannot sufficiently rely on the ultimate conservative strength of all these seceding States. In the excitement of the present moment, when politicians are in authority, and all the people seem passion-struck, this element is lost from view, and seems not to exist, but there is only needed a firm, conciliatory, and patient spirit on the part of the North, to bring this force to realize its strength and assert its authority. It is a time for manliness and sacrifices, which given, nothing is to be despaired of. BRECKINRIDGE.
Breckinridge seems to approve of the Buchanan administration’s policy during this crisis.
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Another source of weapons for the South
From The New-York Times January 26, 1861:
BLOCKADE OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
The Memphis (Tenn.) Avalanche of the 21st gives the following particulars of an affair to which the telegraph has made reference:
“The Minute Men have had tendered to them 16 32-pound cannon by Maj. A.H. DOUGLASS, who became the purchaser when the Federal Government disposed of the Navy-yard of the city. These guns are, we learn, in good condition, and will immediately be put in working order. A Committee, consisting of Capt. James Hamilton, Col. Wm. R. Hunt, D.B. Malloy, Anthony Street and C. Deloach, having been appointed to take the business in charge, and proceed at once to carry out the purposes of the association.
It is the purpose of the Committee, we learn, to apply to the City Council for the privilege of erecting the battery at such points as may be selected, as well as for an appropriation commensurate with the plan proposed.
The presence of these cannon seems almost providential, and it behooves us, occupying the position that Memphis does, to avail ourselves of every means to repel an attack, and ensure safety, should actual hostilities, of which now there seems little doubt, occur. …
You can read the entire articles at The New York Times Archive. Alabama is here; The Mississippi article is here.
The “arch apostle” of secession, William L. Yancey was a well-known fire-eater.
I cut material from the two articles that relate to the theme of the developing military cooperation among the southern states.
