The verbal and written remonstrances of many
friends in different parts of the State induced me to postpone
the execution of my purpose; but the time has arrived to carry
it into effect, and accordingly I now hereby return the trust
into your hands.... In the House of Representatives it was
declared that the South should be reduced to 'abject
submission,' or their institutions be overthrown. In the Senate
it was said that, if necessary, the South should be depopulated
and repeopled from the North; and an eminent Senator expressed a
desire that the President should be made dictator. This was
superfluous, since they had already clothed him with dictatorial
powers. In the midst of these proceedings, no plea for the
Constitution is listened to in the North; here and there a few
heroic voices are feebly heard protesting against the progress
of despotism, but, for the most part, beyond the military lines,
mobs and anarchy rule the hour.
"The great mass of the Northern people seem anxious to sunder
every safeguard of freedom; they eagerly offer to the Government
what no European monarch would dare to demand. The President and
his generals are unable to pick up the liberties of the people
as rapidly as they are thrown at their feet.... In every form by
which you could give direct expression to your will, you
declared for neutrality.
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