March 11, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
Our Washington Correspondence.
WASHINGTON, March 7.
Every tongue is busy commenting on the inaugural. The papers are filled with quotations giving the opinions of the press in all directions. There is little agreement except in this–that all coincide as to the fact that it either means war or it does not mean war. The inference is that it was intended to mean both–the one and the other, according to circumstances. Mr. DOUGLAS, in the Senate yesterday, expressed his belief, after a careful study of the mysterious document, that it was friendly and conciliatory. Now, it is known that DOUGLAS was at first puzzled by it. He is still puzzled, his friend say, and had an object in putting a peaceful interpretation upon it, viz: to draw out a Republican translation.
This may or may not be so. DOUGLAS’s wish is father to his thought. He wants peace. His chances for the next Presidency rest on the preservation of the Union as it now is–that is, with the Border States in. The breaking out of war drives off these States, and away goes the Little Giant’s prospects. Another motive, in all likelihood, prompts him to commend the inaugural. It has roused the ire of the slave provinces and strengthened the hands of the secessionists. Unless something is done to quell the resentment thus aroused, the Border State secessionists, in Virginia more particularly, may get the upper hand of the submissionists, and do something .” Hence DOUGLAS’s alacrity in placing a mild construction on what was intended to be a declaration of war. His opinions have great weight in the Border States. He is a dangerous man. What harm he has already done! What harm he is now doing, and will continue to do, as long as there is breath in his body!
According to Dame Rumor, and the general conviction of all parties, CRITTENDEN is to take a seat on the Supreme Bench. Or is CRITTENDEN a pretty fair conservative freesoiler himself? There is milk in the cocoanut. If we would not be misunderstood nor have one’s motives impugned, one could refuse Black Republican favors. Will one do it? The effect of CRITTENDEN’s acceptance in quieting the Border States, is too obvious to be dwelt upon. It is a capital card for the Republicans to play.
I heard last night, as coming from a good source, that 800 more troops were to be concentrated at this point. The immense house erected for RAREY is said to have been engaged for their reception. We shall then have 2000 men of the regular army here. This does not look like peace.
The animus of the Republican part is shown in the appointment of MONTGOMERY BLAIR as Postmaster General. BLAIR was educated at West Point, and the War Department, if any, would have been the proper place for him. But he is an out and out Abolitionist, and therefore a fit tool for circulating Abolition documents. Nay more. He was a sympathizer with JOHN BROWN. He paid SAMUEL CHILTON, a lawyer of his city, $1000 to defend BROWN.
Delegations of office hunters from the several Northern States are occupying their leisure moments in calling in a body on the President, the heads of Departments, Generals SCOTT and WOOL, and other distinguished Abolitionists. Many speeches are made, and every speaker makes it his business to congratulate the respective delegations on the fact that have a Government at last! By concert all hands are engaged in working up the Union Government sentiment to the sticking point of war. If the proper spirit can be aroused, you may rest assured that the poor besotted people will be made to fight for the perpetuity of this glorious Union, and thus contribute unthinkingly to the lasting domination of the Abolitionists. Judging the South by the specimens seen here, Northerners have a great contempt for the South and its people. Has the course of South Carolina, in regard to Sumter tended to dissipate this false estimate of our spirit and energy?
While I must admire the cunning displayed by the fanatics who are thus fomenting the horror of civil strife, I can but wonder that Providence should permit them to succeed. As a nation, I do not think we have been guilty of crime sufficient to justify this terrible punishment. But God’s ways are not as man, and we are told those He loveth, them He chastenenth! I have no heart to prosecute my labors further. I am glad the time has come for me to lay down the pen. As I look back upon the scenes through which we have passed this winter, as the details of Abolition tyranny accumulate before me, and the unknown outrages yet to follow from their ruthless dominion picture themselves in revolting colors upon the canvas of the immediate future, I grow sick with indignation and grief. The thought of getting away from this unhappy city, where armed fanaticism is throned, fills me with joy, so that I cannot be sorry to say to the readers of THE MERCURY, “Good bye.”
SEVEN.