conscientious objector?

Posted on July 11, 2014 by SUMPTER

Life could be dangerous for an enrolling officer, even if he was armed and had guards.

Richmond area 1864 (LOC: http://www.loc.gov/item/99439129/)

enrolling officer’s office in Manchester (map published 1864)

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 11, 1864:

Local matters.
Attempt to murder an enrolling officer.

–On Thursday last an attempt was made to murder Lieutenant Spencer Hancock, of Manchester, one of the enrolling officers for the third Congressional district, by a man named William G. Burton, residing in Chesterfield county, about eight miles from this city. Burton, who is a conscript, was sent for by Lieut. Hancock, to know the reason why he had not reported, but the guard finding him absent from home left word with his wife that he must report to the enrolling office in Manchester as soon as he returned. This was on the 5th instant, and on the 7th he drove up to Hancock’s office in Manchester, and in a very menacing manner demanded to know why he had been sent for.–Lieut. H., who was alone, replied that he only wished to know why he had not reported for military duty, and if he claimed exemption it was necessary to see the papers entitling him thereto. To this Burton got into a towering rage, swore he would not report to any man, nor would he go into the service, and then started towards the door, declaring his intention to return home.–Hancock then informed him that he was under arrest and placed himself between B. and the door; but he being a powerful man, it was a very easy matter to toss the obstruction out of the way. Hancock then ordered the guard to seize him, and at the same time drew his pistol in order to check the advances which B. was making upon him, the butt end of which he was compelled to use several times upon his head before it was possible to subdue and confine him. The physical strength of Burton was so great that it required the combined efforts of four men to effect his arrest, and while in their embrace he made repeated lunges at Lieut. H., each time dragging them some distance after him. Burton was then confined and taken before the Examining Board at Camp Lee, but learning the facts of his resistance he was ordered by the Board to be taken to Castle Thunder. Subsequently Lieut. Hancock was directed to take Burton before the Military Court Martial of Gen. Lee’s army, which was in session at Chesterfield Court House. While on the way, on foot, under a guard of two men, he seemed very penitent, confessed that he had done wrong, that Hancock had served him perfectly right, and begged that he would make it as easy with him as possible. Arriving at the first water station, in advance of the train, Lieut. H. being very feeble from sickness, determined to take the cars the balance of the way. –They then sat down on the side of the road to wait for the train, Burton (handcuffed) sitting between the two guards and Hancock a yard or two off. In a short while Lieut. H. fell asleep, but had not been so many minutes before B. sprang to his feet, jumped over the guard, and first striking him on the head with both hands and the iron cuffs, attempted to plant both heels of his boots in his forehead. Fortunately, however, the blow from B.’s fists partially turned H.’s head to one side, and the desperado’s designs were thereby thwarted in part. As it was, however, his injuries were very severe, as one of the heels of B.’s boots struck H. on the side of the head, severely stunning him and cutting his head in a shocking manner. Burton is a man weighing over two hundred pounds, and had he have jumped fairly on H.’s head, there is little doubt but it would have been crushed in. The prisoner was committed to Castle Thunder on Friday morning.

Lieutenant Hancock’s injuries are of a serious character internally, and yesterday afternoon he was suffering much from a stamp which Burton gave him in the breast.

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pump for patients

Posted on July 10, 2014 by SUMPTER
City Point, Va. Tents of the general hospital ( 1864 October; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpb-03872)

“City Point, Va. Tents of the general hospital” (October 1864)

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 9, 1864:

Additional from the North.

From Northern papers; of the 4th inst, we gather a variety of interesting intelligence, which we condense in the summary below: …

With the consent of Gen Grant, the Christian Commission has sent to City Point, from Baltimore, steam engine No. 4, for the purpose of forcing water from the James river to the hospital, a distance of one mile from the river. Some of the hospitals are located at such a distance from the river as to cause great difficulty in obtaining water for the patients. Several thousand feet of hose were also sent with the engine. Wesley Shaw, Assistant Engineer of the Baltimore Fire Department, Mike Donn, the engineer, and Jas Hall, the assistant engineer of No. 4, accompanied the engine.

You can read more about City Point at the Encyclopedia Virginia, including some information about its hospitals:

During the occupation, City Point was also home to the Depot Field Hospital, actually a group of hospitals serving the Second, Fifth, Sixth, and Ninth corps of the Army of the Potomac; a separate, affiliated hospital served the cavalry. Black Union troops were cared for in a segregated hospital until all United States Colored Troops in the Army of the Potomac were transferred to the Army of the James in December 1864. The sprawling hospital complex consisted of 1,200 tents in the summer of 1864, but these were soon replaced by 90 wooden buildings and 452 tents sufficient to house just more than 5,400 men. The hospital also had a water tower, kitchens, a dining hall, and an ice house. In 1865 alone, 29,000 patients were admitted, with 53 percent being transferred to hospitals farther north. Another 41 percent were returned to the front. Only 2 percent, or 572 patients, died while under care there.

At the US Army Quartermaster Foundation Captain Robert O. Zinnen, Jr. wrote about the hospitals in “City Point: The Tool That Gave General Grant Victory” and mentioned the water pumped from the James:

The medical care received by the wounded Union soldiers represented the finest in medical attention that that time period had to offer the sick or injured. Of the seven hospitals eventually located at City Point, the Depot Field Hospital was the largest and was able to provide care for 10,000 patients. Surgeon Edward B. Dalton commanded this tremendous operation of 1,200 tents, which blanketed 200 acres. As the weather cooled, 90 log buildings, 20 feet by 50 feet were built to house the wounded, but operations still required that 324 tents remain in use throughout the winter. Nurses ensured that each patient, who had his own bed and washbasin, was clean and comfortable by regularly providing clean linens and clothes.

These hospitals represented self-contained cities. They operated their own supply system very similar to the modern day network. The hospitals requisitioned, received and stored their own supplies. This system functioned so smoothly that the soldiers never lacked the necessary medicine or equipment. The hospitals ran their own laundries, dining facilities and dispensaries. These medical facilities even had running water, pumped from the James River, to assist in keeping the hospital as sanitary as possible under field conditions. These hospitals received vast amounts of assistance from civilian agencies such as the Christian Commission and the U.S. Sanitary Commission. These agencies provided fresh and canned fruit to help lift the health and morale of the soldiers. Each Corps had their own Sanitary Relief Station consisting of two wagons. These relief stations issued 100 tons of canned tomatoes, 1,200 barrels of cucumbers and 17,000 cans of Sauerkraut. The soldiers at City Point even had a lemonade stand to quench their thirst. Usually, two or three ships, loaded with goods supplied by these civilian commissions, sat at City Point waiting to unload their “treats.”

_____________________________________________

Meanwhile, at a different point along the James, the following photo of the U.S.S. Mendota was taken 150 years ago today while the ship was serving in the James River (Va.) Division, North Atlantic Blockading Squadron:

Bringing parrott gun into position on board gun boat "Mendota," July 10, 1864 (by Andrew J. Russell; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-11714)

“Bringing parrott gun into position on board gun boat “Mendota,” July 10, 1864″

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horseless cavalry

Posted on July 9, 2014 by SUMPTER

Here’s another one paragraph letter from H.B. Compson, a young Cavalry officer, describing “one of the greatest raids of the war”, in which Compson and others lost their horses as they covered a ‘retrograde movement’ and had to make their way on foot through rebel territory to get back to the Union lines.

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864:

Letter from the 8th N.Y. Cavalry.

CAMP 8th N.Y. Cavalry,
NEAR LIGHT HOUSE POINT, VA.,
July 8th, 1864.

Destruction of Genl. Lees lines of Communication in Virginia by Genl. Wilson (by Alfred R. Waud, 1864 June 20-25 in Harper's Weekly July 30, 1864)

General Wilson’s men destroying railroads on the raid

We have just returned from another great raid made by the 3d Division commanded by Gen. Wilson. I can safely say that it is one of the greatest raids of the war. We have accomplished more in the destruction of property to the Confederate States than has been done by any raiding party since the breaking out of the present war. I will now mention a few important places that we passed through, and by referring to a war map you can at once determine our course. On the morning of the 22d of June, we took up our line of march from Prince George Court House, crossing the Norfolk and Petersburg R.R., thence to Petersburg and Weldon R.R. crossing it at Reames’ Station. Here we met a small force of the enemy who after firing a few shots fled. We burned the Station and destroyed the track for several miles, cut the telegraph wires, and then proceeded to the Lynchburg and Petersburg R.R., struck it at Fords Station, captured and destroyed two train [sic] of cars and burned the Station. Our attention was then turned to the road, which we completely destroyed to Black and White Station, a distance of about twenty miles. Here we met a Division of the enemy’s Cavalry, and a desperate fight ensued, which lasted several hours; holding our ground and sustaining a loss of eight killed, twenty-four wounded and seven missing. From this point we marched to the Richmond and Dansville R.R./ striking it at Manerin [Meherrin] Station. One Brigade proceeded to Berksville Junction, destroyed it after accomplishing its objective. – The whole command proceeded down the railroad, completely destroying everything as far as the Staunton river, where we again met the enemy. Having accomplished our object, we commenced the retrograde movement to gain our lines. We heard the enemy’s Cavalry and Infantry were waiting for our return. On the evening of the 28th of June, we arrived at Strong Creek Station where we found the enemy as we had heard posted in force. We at once engaged them but found them to [sic] strongly posted to be driven by our worn out and jaded men, as their forces out numbered us five to one. The fight continued all night, and not receiving reinforcements as expected from the main army we were obliged to withdraw and proceed to some other point. In doing so our Brigade was ordered to hold the enemy in check until the Division had crossed a stream in our rear. The enemy taking advantage of the movement, at once threw forward their whole force and completely surrounded us. We turned about, charged to the rear to gain our horses. Some succeeded in doing so, others were killed or wounded, and those who straggled, as a general thing, were taken prisoners. Major Moore and myself, with one hundred men, were not able to gain our horses. Seeing that we were entirely cut off from the command we took to the woods, closely followed by the enemy who made several charges upon us, but were repulsed each time. After an hour we succeeded in getting away from them. By looking upon the map we found that we were some fifty miles from our lines, the way we would have to march to gain them. Tired and worn out, without rations, and had been two days with only one cup of coffee, this to us looked very discouraging to march that distance in the enemy’s country and not be discovered or captured. But we asked ourselves which would be profitable, falling in the hands of the enemy or stand a fatiguing march of three or four days until we could gain our lines. We chose the latter. On we started, marching a north-westerly course keeping in the woods, when suddenly we came upon a rebel camp. They discovering us, charged on our small band and captured thirty-five men and five officers. The rest of us succeeded in getting away. We hid in the woods until dark then took up the line of march, the next morning procuring a negro for a guide. He brought us safely to the Nottaway river. This we were obliged to ford as the enemy were guarding the bridges. We were compelled to throw away most of our clothing to enable us to get away. Water in this section was very scarce and we were obliged to drink from stagnant pools by the wayside. Weary and footsore we gained our lines. From here we were carried in wagons to join our regiment near Light House Point, Va., where we are lying at present resting ourselves and our jaded horses. The loss of the regiment is 129 killed, wounded and missing. William Long and Nelson Evans were among the missing. The loss of my company was 13. At present we are resting on the banks of the James river, in full view of all the shipping. From our point of view can be seen flags representing the greatest nations of the earth. We shall move in a few days.

Yours in haste,
H.B. COMPSON,
Comd’g. Co. D, 8th N.Y. Cav.

The Wilson–Kautz Raid:

had the intended effect of disrupting Confederate rail communications for several weeks, the raiding force lost much of its artillery, all of its supply train, and almost a third of the original force, mostly to Confederate capture.

Here’s a recap of the 8th’s experience during the raid from Colonel William L. Markell:

NYT 7-8-1864

MIA numbers being reduced (NYT 7-8-1864)

The Eighth went to Petersburg, and did picket duty in the vicinity of Prince George Court House until the date of General Wilson’s raid. Accompanying the raid the regiment lost heavily,— on June 22d, cutting their way through the Rebel right at Reams’ Station, on the 23d, at Black and Whites, to near Nottoway Court House, where the brigade being cut off from the main command had an afternoon and all night’s battle, sustaining a loss of 90 men. On the 24th, it succeeded in joining the command at Meherrin Station, on the Dansville Railroad; on the 25th, to Roanoke Creek; and at night, to Staunton River; 27th, to Meherrin River; 28th, to Stony Creek Station, on the Weldon Railroad, in rear of the Rebel lines,, where all the afternoon and night they were trying to cut their way through, but were again headed off by the enemy and forced to make their way back south nearly to the North Carolina line. After enduring untold hardships, they at last found their way into the Union lines, the regiment losing nearly one-third of its number.

You can read more about the raid and the 22nd New York Cavalry’s role in it here.

As indicated by The New-York Times report at the left the scattered raiders were still making it back to Union lines as of July 7th.

Wilson-Kautz_Raid

Wilson-Kautz Raid

Hal Jespersen’s map is licensed by Creative Commons

Alfred R. Waud’s drawing was published in the July 30, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly at Son of the South

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justices for the poor

Posted on July 8, 2014 by SUMPTER

Apparently county judges in Virginia had the power to impose taxes.

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 8, 1864:

Taking care of their poor.

–A levy of one per cent on all property, real and personal, (the same amount as the State tax of last year,) has been laid by the County Court of Henrico, the object of which is to raise a fund to feed the poor of that county, without giving any more bonds. This morning a full of bench Justices will be convened to perfect the details of an arrangement as to the best mode of distribution, and at the same time an agent will be appointed to purchase supplies. In the event of any person who has a surplus on hand refusing to sell, said agent will be empowered, according to an act passed by the last Legislature, to impress what he wants at prices not exceeding Government valuation, and can have them carried to any point in the county designated without interruption from any source. The supply store for the whole county will, we learn, be located at the Court-House, and be under the immediate supervision of the magistrates of the county.

Southern women feeling the effects of the rebellion, and creating bread riots (Illus. in: Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, (1863 May 23), p. 141.; LOC: LC-USZ62-42028)

avoiding a repeat performance? (Richmond bread riot 1863)

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convert

Posted on July 7, 2014 by SUMPTER

I don’t know how accurate the folowing letter is, but it would seem to have been quite a propaganda coup for a Democrat paper, especially during the 1864 presidential campaign. The Lincoln administration was too abolitionist for this letter-writing Republican editor who went to war. And he can only get accurate news from Democratic publications.

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864:

A Soldiers Letter.

The following letter is from the editor of a Republican paper, published in Wyoming county in this State. The letter was dated near Petersburg, July 8th, 1864:

Northern coat of arms (Entered . . . 1864 by J.E. Cutler in the District Court of . . . Mass. Probably drawn by Joseph E. Baker, Boston; LOC: LC-USZ62-19673)

“Northern coat of arms”

Dear Wife. – A great many want to know, I suppose, how the last battle went. My answer is, invariably, that we have had but one, and that commenced on the 5th of May last. The soldiers all console themselves with the belief that this season will end the war, and I believe so myself. If we can’t whip them by fall we never can. The soldiers will stand it no longer. They will go for a new administration. In fact, I have changed my views from what they were when I left home. There is too much nigger in the present administration, and too many lies published in newspapers. I find if I want to approximate anywhere the truth, I have to take it from Democratic newspapers.

Inclosed you will find a silver dollar, (if it ever reaches you) which I send to the little “cherub,” and one which I prize quite highly for two reasons; and one is, because they are scarce, and the other is because it is a relic from the battle field near Petersburg, and was once the, [sic] property of some Reb. I picked it up shortly after the battle. H.A. TIFEANY.

You can read about the 1864 political cartoon at the Library of Congress

Posted in 150 Years Ago This Week, Northern Politics During War, Northern Society, Overland Campaign, Siege of Petersburg, The election of 1864 | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

bridge engineers

Posted on July 5, 2014 by SUMPTER

News filtered back that a soldier from Seneca Falls and his men did good work building a bridge for the Army of the Potomac in June. From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in July 1864:

THE 50TH N.Y. ENGINEERS. – A correspondent of the Rochester Union with the 50th N.Y. Engineers, gives quite an interesting account of the building of a bridge across the Chickahominy on the 12th ult., by the 3d battalion of the 50th Engineers, including Co. K., the whole under the command of Capt. JAS. H. MCDONALD, of this village, now acting major of the regiment.

You can read an overview of the 50th’s work during the Overland Campaign at To the Sound of the Guns. According to a chart Major George W. Ford was the “Officer in command of train” for both bridges built on June 12th.

The Army of the Potomac crossing the Chicahominy at Long Bridge (by Edwin Forbes, 1864 June 12; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-20711)

The Army of the Potomac crossing the Chicahominy at Long Bridge

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good time in the grove

Posted on July 4, 2014 by SUMPTER

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1864:

FOURTH OF JULY IN TYRE. – The patriotic citizens of Tyre have procured a monument which is to be erected to the memory of the deceased Soldiers from that town. It is to be placed in the cemetery near the residence of JASON SMITH, Esq. The dedication of the monument is to take place in the grove near the cemetery on the Fourth of July. An obituary address will be given by Rev. P.E. SMITH, an oration by Rev. W.H. GOODWIN, of Geneva. The Exercises are to commence at 10 A.M. After the close of the exercises, there is to be a Pic Nic in the grove, each family furnishing their own refreshments. A good time is expected.

According to a history of Seneca County, Jason Smith was a veteran of the War of 1812. He volunteered for the Union army in 1862, but was rejected by New York Governor Morgan as too old, especially given a sufficient number of younger men and Jason’s prior service in the war against English aggression. Jason would have been 67 or 68 when he volunteered, I think. Rev. P.E. Smith was Jason’s son.

There were Pic Nics further south, too. The 50th New York Engineers were kept busy during the Overland Campaign:

During the operations of the Army of the Potomac in May and June, 1864, the main work of the regiment was that of laying bridges at various points, notably one 2,010 feet long, across the James. At Petersburg the regiment was in demand at all points for work of construction and repair on the fortifications, and it also assisted in destroying railroads. During its long service the men became very proficient in engineering and through its steadiness under fire is said to have lost during the last year of its service no bridge material of any kind.

It looks like 150 years ago today the regiment’s officers took a break and got together to enjoy a Independence Day dinner. Was Seneca County’s James H. McDonald at table?

Views in camp of 50th New York Engineers in front of Petersburg, Va. (by Timothy H. O'Sullivan; photographed 1864; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-33116)

“Celebrating the 4th of July, 1864, in front of Petersburg. Lt. Col. Ira Spaulding and officers of the 50th N.Y.V. Engineers at dinner”

Views in camp of 50th New York Engineers in front of Petersburg, Va. (by Timothy H. O'Sullivan, photographed 1864; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-33115)

different take on same dinner

________________________________________________

Thomas Nast did up Independence day 1864 for the July 16, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly (at Son of the South:

july-fourth-1200 (by Thomas Nast, Harper's Weekly 7-16-1864)

American Flag – “Protector Of All Rights”

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first anniversary

Posted on July 3, 2014 by SUMPTER

A year after Gettysburg, General Meade reflected on his great victory in a letter to his wife. From The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade … (page 210):

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, July 3. 1864.

We are not doing much at present; the great heat and the dust, together with the exhausted condition of the men, imposed a quiet on us which the enemy does not seem disposed to disturb.

The story of Gettysburg Music composed for the piano,

1864 sheet music

To-day is the anniversary of the last day’s fight at Gettysburg. As I reflect on that eventful period, and all that has elapsed since, I have reason to be satisfied with my course, and cause to be most thankful. The longer this war continues the more will Gettysburg and its results be appreciated. Colonel de Chanal, who is still with me, says he studied the battle, with maps at Pau, but had no idea that on its anniversary he should be the guest of the victorious commander. He says that in Europe it was looked on as a great battle.

It is said that Washington is very unhealthy, and that many of our wounded are dying there. It is strange; the health of the army never was better – we have no sickness at all. But if we are kept here, I presume, as the summer advances, we must expect considerable sickness.

The July 1,2,3 thing usually wakes me up every year, so it’s not surprising that General Meade would be very aware of the anniversary. I was surprised that his antagonist in the battle, Robert Lee, was on the cover of the July 2, 1864 issue of Harper’s Weekly, which was pretty much pro-Union, pro-war, and pro-Lincoln. The paper gave the Confederate grudging admiration as “unquestionably a consummate master of the art of war. That superiority, indeed, was acquired at the expense and under the patronage of the Government he is now endeavoring to destroy; but this does not alter the fact.” Harper’s might have been trying to explain how General Grant and over 100,000 Union troops couldn’t beat Lee and his army after two months of an intense campaign, but the timing seems ironic on the anniversary of one of Lee’s big defeats.

You can see the image and read the bio at Son of the South

An incident of Gettysburg - the last thought of a dying father (Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, (1864 Jan. 2), p. 236.)

“An incident of Gettysburg – the last thought of a dying father” (Frank Leslie’s 1-2-1864)

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“the solitary blunder”

Posted on July 2, 2014 by SUMPTER

A Southern take on the North’s coming celebration of July 4th and the Declaration of Independence: the United States was abrogating all the principles of the Declaration except for its one mistake – the idea that “all men are created equal”. This editorial’s last paragraph echoes Alexander Stephens’ Cornerstone speech from way back in March 1861.

Civil War envelope showing eagle with American flag attacking 7-star Confederate flag (between 1861 and 1864; LOC: LC-DIG-ppmsca-31730)

American eagle attacking the CSA

From the Richmond Daily Dispatch July 2, 1864:

The Fourth of July.

The great national festival of the United States will be celebrated this year with uncommon spirit. On the last anniversary Grant occupied Vicksburg; this Fourth, crowning glory of all, he is to take Richmond. With the capture of Richmond, the war is to end, the principal rebels be executed, the plantations and negroes of the South pass to Northern proprietors, its mighty States dwindle into subjugated territories, and the Republic move on with a momentum and majesty which will astonish and overawe the world. The American eagle, with one wing overshadowing the Atlantic and the other the Pacific, and with the Southern Confederacy struggling helplessly in his talons, will soar aloft, giving a scream that will scare the British Lion out of his wits, and make the Gallic cock “skedaddle” like a Shanghai. Oh, puissant and irresistible Ulysses! Oh, memorable and immortal 4th of July, 1864!

We consider it an unfortunate thing that the 4th of July does not occur in December. The thermometer ought to indicate the freezing point when a man reads the Declaration of Independence to a Northern audience at such a time as this. He must be a cool man naturally, and ought to have a refrigerator for a rostrum, who has the face to go through that document before a public assembly, from the clause which asserts that “all governments derive their just power from the consent of the governed,” down to the final article in the long list of royal outrages– “he has excited domestic insurrection among us.” There is not a wrong alleged nor a grievance enumerated in that instrument which Lincoln has not perpetrated and surpassed. To denounce a defunct king of England for deeds which an American President is eulogized for performing, is an enterprise which no ordinary mortal would undertake in this weather.

Declaration of Independence (no date recorded on shelflist card; LOC: LC-DIG-pga-00368)

Moses was a Virginian, of course

These are the circumstances which must add to the difficulty of such a performance. Such for example as the fact the “the day they celebrate” dawned from the sky of that Virginia which they are now seeking to rend and devious [devour?]; that it was Richard Henry Lee, delegate from Virginia, who, by instructions from his constituents, rose in that dreadful hour, and moved the resolution of Independence; that it was Thomas Jefferson of Virginia who drafted the Declaration whose anniversary they celebrate; that it was George Washington, of Virginia, whose mighty chieftainship made that Declaration good. To add, new glories to the 4th of July by crushing Virginia forever to the dust, is a conception which could enter none but the brains of a “peculiar people.” To carry among their trophies on the 4th, a shattered lamp, whose golden light illumined the midnight that blackened between Bunker Hill and Yorktown, a triumph that no hearts but theirs could glory in.

declar-of-independence-1

Nix that equality idea, gentlemen

Happily for us, they can enjoy that feast only in imagination. Their demigod Ulysses has failed to furnish their populace the promised entertainment. The capture of Richmond on the 4th of July has not come off according to the programme. Nevertheless, let the Northern patriots be content. If they have not taken the capital, they have burned the farm-houses, devastated the fields, and plundered the defenceless population of a State which gave them the Aaron, whose lips pronounced the Declaration of their freedom, and the Moses whose valor led them through the desert.

The only doctrine of the whole Declaration which the North can consistently rejoice in, is that which asserts the equality of man, and which is the solitary blunder in that great document. That all men are created equal; that they are equal politically, morally or socially; that they are equals in any other than a religious sense, is too evident an absurdity gravely to discuss. But this single falsity has swallowed up in the Northern mind all the great truths and principles of constitutional liberty. It is this, as applied specially to the ignorant and debased Africans, which is the mainspring of the most infernal war known in modern times. It is this which blinds the North to the supreme folly of celebrating their own freedom by endeavoring to enslave others; of degrading themselves to the level of the black and endeavoring to produce by miscegenation that uniformity which the God of Nature had forbidden, and of glorying in their shame.

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“on the edge of Niagara”

Posted on July 1, 2014 by SUMPTER
Phillips, Wendell (between 1865 and 1880; LOC: LC-DIG-cwpbh-05177)

a non-voter who “could neither give nor take office under the present Constitution”

A famous abolitionist was pretty unimpressed with the author of the Emancipation Proclamation.

From The New-York Times July 1, 1864:

WENDELL PHILLIPS ON THE ADMINISTRATION.; Reasons Why He Cannot Support Lincoln and Johnson–Mr. Lincoln’s Re-election a Public Calamity.

To the Editor of the Independent:

You refer to me in your notice last week of the Cleveland Convention, and seem to think I should wish, if fully informed, to withdraw from that movement. I believe I am fully informed in regard to it — at least your article suggests nothing new to me — and I have no wish to withdraw from it. * * * * I am glad and proud to be identified with such a movement, and history will forever guard the fact that the Cleveland Convention was the first political body of Americans to make that claim, and to plant itself fairly on the Declaration of Independence, in which they are, at once, consistent, statesmanlike and just. The next generation will see and acknowledge that the men who demanded that step knew their times better, and served them more efficiently, than the author of the Emancipation Proclamation of January, 1863.

The next merit of Cleveland is its protest against the fast-growing despotism of an Administration which never shows vigor except against single individuals and in the quiet streets of New-York and Boston, but is imbecile and submissive in Tennessee and New-Orleans. If, in the profound peace of New-York, and without necessity, the President usurps all the power of Congress and the Judiciary — as in the Arguelles case — or wholly suppresses the Senate by sending his tool FRANK P. BLAIR to command an army without the shadow of a commission, it is time to ask where we are. If these things are done in the green tree, what may we expect in the dry? Ever since 1861 I have done what I could to point out the dangerous tendency of this use of despotic power. Its necessary use is alarming; the moment it outgoes the strict limits of that necessity, it should arouse the most vigilant attention and rebuke.

The only other article of the Baltimore Platform, in which the influence of Cleveland can be traced, is that meaningless and hypocritical one supposed to relate to a change in the Cabinet; an attempt to say nothing and yet save appearances — an attempt, the first half of which was successful. The Baltimore men knew then, and know now, that Mr. LINCOLN neither plans nor will consent to change his Cabine[t] unless he is forced to do it by a pressure outside his party and so strong as to make it tremble.

You dread a union between Cleveland and the Democrats. I should welcome it. The only question is the terms of such union. I am not myself a voter, and could neither give nor take office under the present Constitution. But any Democrat who will join me in securing a union without a slave, and with every man, black or white, equal before the law, I shall be glad to work with. If Cleveland imitates the Republican party, and to win office deserts its principles, then I shall desert Cleveland. But as the party now in power has betrayed us and left us only one chance in three of saving the Union, I am disposed to try any other which gives its adhesion to right principles.

In ordinary times, politics is of little interest to me. But to-day the nation hangs on the edge of Niagara. I have some hope, though but little expectation, that it will be saved under its present leaders. Duty bids me make every effort to insure its safety. Hence I joined the Cleveland Convention, as a protest against the calamity of Mr. LINCOLN’s reelection. I still trust that it may be made effectual to prevent that disaster. I hope the sound portion of the Democratic party — lovers of their country — will accept an Anti-Slavery basis of action and join us. To achieve such a union is my present effort. I gave the Republican Administration generous confidence for three years. Compromising, purposeless, halting, cowardly, they have disgusted their own supporters and well nigh wrecked the nation. That way ruin lies. I am anxious, at least, to try another. Watchful in the past against deceit, I shall watch as vigilantly in the future, and when the Cleveland movement commits folly, I shall rebuke and desert it. At present, its existence is almost my only hope of anything good being bullied out of this Administration.

It is too early to form any opinion of the result of the coming canvass. GRANT carries the decision of it on the point of his sword. If we of Cleveland fall, I shall not be surprised. Perfectly well aware that compromise is the essence of politics, and indispensibly necessary to success at the ballot-box, I should be more surprised to succeed. Indeed, the hour of such success would be the one when I should most anxiously reexamine my own position. Let me commend to you the same caution.

columbia-cartoon (HW 7-2-1864)

(Lincoln in his …on his head?) THAT’S WHAT’S THE TROUBLE WITH JOHN C.
MRS. COLUMBIA. “Tell me, DOCTOR, what is the matter with him? Do you think his Brain is affected?”
DOCTOR JONATHAN. “Oh! no, my dear MADAM ; it’s only a rather aggravated case of Sore Head!”

Unless, however, some union takes place among the opponents of the Administration, I have little expectation that the North Will finally succeed, except on the basis worse than defeat. If the North does triumph, I shall always look back to the Cleveland Convention as one of the most efficient contributions to that success.

Last, as to the nominees of the Cleveland Convention: I have confidence in the Anti-Slavery purpose of JOHN C. FREMONT; and I wait to see the policy which he and his political friends will adopt for the accomplishment of that purpose. As events unfold, I shall take my guidance in them, and shall take fit opportunity to express my opinion. I know the nature of politicians — how little to be trusted. Whether we shall be able to trust the Democratic party in this crisis, is yet uncertain; that we cannot trust the voluntary action of the Republican party is proved.

My motto is “The Country,” and I welcome any man’s aid to save it. If Chicago comes to Cleveland, I shall welcome its aid. If any of us quit Cleveland and go to Chicago. I shall not follow.

Yours respectfully, WENDELL PHILLIPS.

The political cartoon that differed with Wendell Phillips on the relative merits of Lincoln and Fremont was published in the July 2, 1862 issue of Harper’s Weekly at Son of the South

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