登陆注册
5237100000325

第325章 VOLUME IV(112)

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

ORDER TO CAPTAIN SAMUEL MERCER.

(Confidential.)

WASHINGTON CITY, April 1, 1861

SIR:--Circumstances render it necessary to place in command of your ship (and for a special purpose) an officer who is fully informed and instructed in relation to the wishes of the Government, and you will therefore consider yourself detached. But in taking this step the Government does not in the least reflect upon your efficiency or patriotism; on the contrary, have the fullest confidence in your ability to perform any duty required of you. Hoping soon to be able to give you a better command than the one you now enjoy, and trusting that you will have full confidence in the disposition of the Government toward you, I remain, etc., ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

SECRETARY SEWARD'S BID FOR POWER

MEMORANDUM FROM SECRETARY SEWARD, APRIL 1, 1861

Some thoughts for the President's Consideration, First. We are at the end of a month's administration, and yet without a policy either domestic or foreign.

Second. This, however, is not culpable, and it has even been unavoidable. The presence of the Senate, with the need to meet applications for patronage, have prevented attention to other and more grave matters.

Third. But further delay to adopt and prosecute our policies for both domestic and foreign affairs would not only bring scandal on the administration, but danger upon the country.

Fourth. To do this we must dismiss the applicants for office. But how? I suggest that we make the local appointments forthwith, leaving foreign or general ones for ulterior and occasional action.

Fifth. The policy at home. I am aware that my views are singular, and perhaps not sufficiently explained. My system is built upon this idea as a ruling one, namely, that we must CHANGE THE QUESTION BEFORE THE PUBLIC FROM ONE UPON SLAVERY, OR ABOUT SLAVERY, for a question upon UNION OR DISUNION:

In other words, from what would be regarded as a party question, to one of patriotism or union.

The occupation or evacuation of Fort Sumter, although not in fact a slavery or a party question, is so regarded. Witness the temper manifested by the Republicans in the free States, and even by the Union men in the South.

I would therefore terminate it as a safe means for changing the issue. I deem it fortunate that the last administration created the necessity.

For the rest, I would simultaneously defend and reinforce all the ports in the gulf, and have the navy recalled from foreign stations to be prepared for a blockade. Put the island of Key West under martial law.

This will raise distinctly the question of union or disunion. I would maintain every fort and possession in the South.

FOR FOREIGN NATIONS, I would demand explanations from Spain and France, categorically, at once.

I would seek explanations from Great Britain and Russia, and send agents into Canada, Mexico, and Central America to rouse a vigorous continental spirit of independence on this continent against European intervention.

And, if satisfactory explanations are not received from Spain and France, Would convene Congress and declare war against them.

But whatever policy we adopt, there must be an energetic prosecution of it.

For this purpose it must be somebody's business to pursue and direct it incessantly.

Either the President must do it himself, and be all the while active in it, or Devolve it on some member of his Cabinet. Once adopted, debates on it must end, and all agree and abide.

It is not in my especial province; But I neither seek to evade nor assume responsibility.

REPLY TO SECRETARY SEWARD'S MEMORANDUM

EXECUTIVE MANSION, APRIL 1, 1861

HON. W. H. SEWARD.

MY DEAR SIR:--Since parting with you I have been considering your paper dated this day, and entitled "Some Thoughts for the President's Consideration." The first proposition in it is, "First, We are at the end of a month's administration, and yet without a policy either domestic or foreign."

At the beginning of that month, in the inaugural, I said: "The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the Government, and to Collect the duties and imposts." This had your distinct approval at the time; and, taken in connection with the order I immediately gave General Scott, directing him to employ every means in his power to strengthen and hold the forts, comprises the exact domestic policy you now urge, with the single exception that it does not propose to abandon Fort Sumter.

Again, I do not perceive how the reinforcement of Fort Sumter would be done on a slavery or a party issue, while that of Fort Pickens would be on a more national and patriotic one.

The news received yesterday in regard to St. Domingo certainly brings a new item within the range of our foreign policy; but up to that time we have been preparing circulars and instructions to ministers and the like, all in perfect harmony, without even a suggestion that we had no foreign policy.

Upon your Closing propositions--that, "Whatever policy we adopt, there must be an energetic prosecution of it.

"For this purpose it must be somebody's business to pursue and direct it incessantly.

"Either the President must do it himself, and be all the while active in it, or, "Devolve it on some member of his Cabinet. Once adopted, debates on it must end, and all agree and abide"--I remark that if this must be done, I must do it. When a general line of policy is adopted, I apprehend there is no danger of its being changed without good reason, or continuing to be a subject of unnecessary debate; still, upon points arising in its progress I wish, and suppose I am entitled to have, the advice of all the Cabinet.

Your obedient servant, A. LINCOLN.

REPLY TO A COMMITTEE FROM THE VIRGINIA CONVENTION, APRIL 13, 1861

HON. WILLIAM BALLARD PRESTON, ALEXANDER H.

H. STUART, GEORGE W. RANDOLPH, Esq.

GENTLEMEN:--As a committee of the Virginia Convention now in Session, you present me a preamble and resolution in these words:

同类推荐
  • 古今词论

    古今词论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 杂曲歌辞 火凤辞

    杂曲歌辞 火凤辞

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • Magic and Real Detectives

    Magic and Real Detectives

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 道中有感

    道中有感

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 胎金两界血脉

    胎金两界血脉

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 曾国藩官场笔记

    曾国藩官场笔记

    以曾国藩为镜,可以知官场,精通做官升官、为官之道!曾国藩算是中国近代史上最显赫、最传奇且最具争议的人物了。尽管他已经成为了历史,但是他却一直影响着后人。前有李鸿章继承他,梁启超推崇他;后有蒋介石学习他;更有无数的人在议论他,效仿他……蒋介石更是一生奉曾国藩为标杆,以他的言行教育下属、后代。他曾经要求国民党将领必须“认清历史,效法曾胡(曾国藩、胡林翼)”。在中国官场中,人们都想精通曾国藩的做官、升官、为官之道!
  • 灾祸的降临上(破解人类文明与科学之谜)

    灾祸的降临上(破解人类文明与科学之谜)

    宇宙茫茫,星空浩瀚。亿万年来,宇宙每天都在人类的面前,炫示着她的神奇与伟大,灿烂与深邃。
  • 每一个不曾起舞的日子,都是对生命的辜负

    每一个不曾起舞的日子,都是对生命的辜负

    你会看见一个为爱执着的胖女孩的逆袭人生,你会看见几个小姐妹闪闪发光的文字梦想,你会看见老爸老妈孩子般的模样,你会看到一个男人把积蓄挥霍个精光后面对窘境的姿态,你还会看到一年换了六份工作的小师妹如何走出迷茫,故事有温暖的,有孤单的,有明亮的,有疯狂的。这些故事虽然不能给我们提供出现成的走人生的途径,却可以让我们看透一些困惑和迷茫,认真前行,下定决心把每一天都过得起舞飞扬,不想再辜负美好时光。
  • 赤雅

    赤雅

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 葫芦湾传奇

    葫芦湾传奇

    怪人姓康名允义,祖籍葫芦湾,今居青隆镇。他出生于一个医药世家。其祖父创立了亦医亦商的经营模式。当时人们对青隆镇有着“青隆小镇子,家家有银子,一家没银子,旯旮里扫出几盆子”的说法,每天进进出出的银子哗哗如流水,康家祖先就不甘心当个穷医生,因此在镇上开了万亨祥药店,康老先生坐堂行医,顺手卖药,每年下来也能挣个一二百两银子。到了康允义父亲手上,将亦医亦商发挥到极致,兼做药材贩运,从甘肃、宁夏、内蒙收购枸杞、党参、黄芪、红芪、甘草等药材,装船运到青隆镇,再走陆路,由驼队运到晋中一带出售。
  • 妃爱上你:一个王爷两个宝(完本)

    妃爱上你:一个王爷两个宝(完本)

    开新文了,《傲妃不乖:给爷默哀三分钟》支持一下哦~链接:http://m.wkkk.net/a/267158/————————————————————不小心从地府穿了过来,缠上了坏爷和小两宝,会产生什么化学反应?升温?发热?噢不!是逃!逃,往哪逃?最后还不是给坏爷揪了回来道:“娘子这是去哪?该回家带孩子啦。”*天大,地大,宝宝相公最大。她逃,他追。她给他一掌,他回她一吻。他坏坏勾上了她的心,她却发现,他爱着的还有另外一个女人……温馨背后的阴谋,阴谋中时常的欢笑。那是一场无法告人秘密,是乐?是悲?该笑?该泣?为了保护他们,他让她带着两个小宝贝远离,却不知道带离的还有他们的心……*相传,五年前,她是他最受宠的妃,五年后,她却牵着两个小宝贝的手管别人叫爹……他怒,一手搂回了她霸道宣布:“你是我的,你们都是我的。”她却推开了他淡淡道:“我只是你拐回的玩具,他们只是你丢弃的垃圾。”*注:妈是后妈,宝不是亲宝。文文前面的会是轻松搞笑,进行到中间小小虐,结局大喜剧。主要来说,风格还是喜,慢热。****推荐好友文文:《逃婚皇后:本宫不做下堂妻》文/清风馆http://m.wkkk.net/a/250378/《囧女重生:一品王爷三流妃》文/刀小盒http://m.wkkk.net/a/257341/《爱妃不乖,硬上弓》文/筱米糖http://m.wkkk.net/a/260844/粉好看滴,喜欢的话去捧捧场哦。
  • 凌剑帝尊

    凌剑帝尊

    天啸大陆,天才繁盛,宗门林立,一个小城中一个顶着七年废物称号的少年,在一次意外之下坠崖重生,觉醒了神秘的血脉之力获取了强大的功法向着武道的巅峰前进。
  • 乐府阳春白雪

    乐府阳春白雪

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 离爱成殇

    离爱成殇

    一场车祸改变了高中生夏末的生活,出于救母的一个抉择,让她与他相遇在命运的十字路口。眼神交会的那一瞬,彼此之间已经明白,等待他们的,除了幸福的诱惑,还有危险的深渊。他有迷人的俊逸外表,有千万身家,可他总是沉郁而忧伤。四年后再次重逢,他与她之间已隔着千山万水。
  • 我就是能进球

    我就是能进球

    把妹全凭嘴,进球全靠蒙!我是那个站在巅峰的男人!对我来说,决定一场胜负很简单,甚至决定冠军归属也很简单。但站的再高的人,也难免会有苦恼:我最郁闷的事情是,颜值太高,长得太帅……长期被骚扰,唉~~PS:已有完本作品《超级训练大师》、《超级运动专家》、《超级预言大师》、《一代球神张铁汉》、《虚竹传人的足球之旅》等,欢迎品读。