That officer was promptly
removed by his Government. The Governor then, upon the increase of
hostile actions, proposed, at an interview with the new officer
commanding the forces of the United States Government, to disband the
State Guard, and break up its organization; to disarm all companies that
had been armed by the State; to pledge himself not to organize the
militia under the military bill; that no arms or munitions of war should
be brought into the State; that he would protect the citizens equally in
all their rights, regardless of their political opinions; that he would
repress all insurrectionary movements within the State; would repel all
attempts to invade it, from whatever quarter, and by whomsoever made;
and would maintain a strict neutrality and preserve the peace of the
State. And, further, if necessary, he would invoke the assistance of the
United States troops to carry out the pledges. The only conditions to
this proposition made by the Governor were that the United States
Government should undertake to disarm the "Home Guard" which it had
illegally organized and armed throughout the State, and pledge itself
not to occupy with its troops any localities in the State not occupied
by them at that time.
The words of a Governor of a State who offered such truly generous terms
deserve to be inserted: "Nothing but the most earnest desire to avert
the horrors of civil war from our beloved State could have tempted me to
propose these humiliating terms.
Pages:
636
637
638
639
640
641
642
643
644
645
646
647
648
649
650
651
652
653
654
655
656
657
658
659
660