Posted inUS Civil War

January 12, 1861 – “Hold ’Em and let ’Em Fizz, till They Fizzle Out.”

This is the suggestion of a humble private citizen as to the best mode of treating the secessionists. The expression is not elegant, nor diplomatic, but it is sensible and hits the bull’s-eye in the center. We presume that the man who used it had not a very clear idea as to the details of the process he proposed, taking only a rough and comprehensive view. But his idea is the correct one, and furnishes a good text for a brief statement of the policy that will kill out the disunion conspiracy, if anything can.

Posted inUS Civil War

January 11, 1861 – The other side of the Question—Shall the North Secede from the South?

“The South Carolina Ordinance setting forth the list of grievances on account of which that State secedes, enumerates them thus:—1st. The Tariff Laws, which are stated to operate injuriously to the South. 2d. The rule that the majority of people in the Union shall govern. 3d. The resistance to the extension of Slavery into the Territories.”

If these are good and justifiable reasons for the Southern States seceding from the Union, says the Chicago Journal, then surely the Northern States have had better reasons to secede, long ago, for their grievances are ten fold greater. How would it do to “take the wind out of the sails” of the Southern soreheads, by a publication of Northern grievances, and a blustering threat that unless speedy redress is promised and given, the Free States will secede from the Slave States?

Posted inUS Civil War

January 3, 1861 – Pennsylvania Arming

The statement that Pennsylvania proposed to raise one hundred thousand troops and appropriate five or six millions of dollars, (for the subjugation of the South,) must, we suppose, be received with considerable qualification. It was only the other day that the Republican papers proved that it would cost South Carolina six millions a year to keep up a force of ten thousand volunteers, just the amount on which, according to this highly probable statement, Pennsylvania proposes to raise one hundred thousand! If the calculations of the Republican journals are true, then, instead of a loan of six millions, Pennsylvania will have to borrow sixty millions; a pretty round sum to begin with. She would do a good deal better to employ that amount, If she can raise it, in building works of public improvement, instead of preparing to attack other States.