ately after it was established, raised troops, borrowed eight millions of money, and offered letters of marque to all who might choose to prey upon the rich commerce of the United States. The rebel Secretary of War, Walker, in a grandiloquent speech, prophecied that, before the 1st of May, the Confederate flag should float over the dome of the old Capitol, and it might, eventually, float over Faneuil Hall, itself! It was determined to bring on a collision, by an attack on Fort Sumter. This was designed more especially and directly to carry the ordinance of secession through the convention of Virginia. To fire the Southern inflammable heart and raise a whirlwind of fury, which would sweep every thing before it, was the reason Davis and his co-conspirators opened the

war.

On the 11th of April, General Beauregard demanded of Major Anderson the surrender of Fort Sumter. The Major refused. On the night of the same day, Beauregard wrote to Anderson, under instructions from the authorities at Montgomery, that if he "would state the time at which he would evacuate Fort Sumter, and agree, that in the meantime he would not use his guns against the Confederates, unless theirs should be employed against Sumter, the Confederates would abstain from opening fire upon him." At half past two, on the morning of the 12th, Anderson replied, he would evacuate the fort by noon of the 15th. At half past three he was notified, in reply, that the rebels would open their batteries, in an hour from that time. Their batteries were opened, accordingly, and after a bombardment of thirty-three hours, which the little garrison endured and replied to with heroic courage, (their provisions and ammunition having been exhausted) Anderson agreed to evacuate the Fort. He retired from it on Sunday morning.

It is clear the rebels sought a collision, in pursuance of their avowed policy of rousing and inciting the South. The attack on Sumter immediately precipitated the political elements, and the people ranged themselves for, or against the Union.

The Capital was in a most critical condition. Full of Secessionists, the roads leading to the North obstructed, and

the city in a condition of siege. The mails, in every direction, were stopped, and the telegraph wires cut by the insurgents. The National forces, which were approaching Washington were obstructed; the war and navy departments were filled with spies, and probably, the White House itself. In this condition of things, it was not deemed safe to issue orders through the ordinary channels, because every thing sent in that way, reached the enemy. Special and private messengers were sent North, who pursued a circuitous route to the northern cities and governors of loyal States, calling on them to hasten troops to the rescue of the Capital. A company of personal friends was organized, who guarded the White House, the Long Bridge crossing the Potomac, and the Arsenals, and probably saved the life of the President, and the Government from overthrow.

On the 15th of April, President Lincoln issued his proclamation, calling for 75,000 men.

This proclamation was prepared on Sunday. Before its issue, and while the President was considering the subject, he was visited by Senator Douglas, who expressed his full approval of this call, only regretting that it was not for 200,000 men instead of the number called for.

The following dispatch was written by Senator Douglas, and given to the agent of the Associated Press, and sent to every portion of the North:

April 18, 1861, Senator Douglas, called on the President, and had an interesting conversation, on the present condition of the country. The substance of it was, on the part of Mr. Douglas, that while he was unalterably opposed to the administration in all its political issues, he was prepared to fully sustain the President, in the exercise of all his Constitutional functions, to preserve the Union, maintain the Government, and defend the Federal Capital. A firm policy and prompt action was necessary. The Capital was in danger, and must be defended at all hazards, and at any expense of men and money. He spoke of the present and future, without any reference to the past." *

*The original of this dispatch in Douglas' hand writing is now in possession of Hon. George Ashmun, of Massachusetts, who kindly furnished a copy.

Thus Douglas lent the influence of his name, with his party and the country, in aid of this decisive step, towards suppresing the rebellion by force. He soon after returned to Illinois, and at Springfield and Chicago, made speeches sustaining the policy of the President, and declaring, that now, there could be but two parties, "patriots and traitors."

He

The speech of Douglas, at Chicago, was made in the immense building called the "Wigwam," built for, and used by the National Convention which nominated Lincoln for the Presidency. Since the day of that nomination, no such crowd had gathered there, as assembled to hear Douglas. said we had gone to the very extreme of magnanimity. The return for all which had been done, was war, armies marching on the Capital-a movement to blot the United States from the map of the globe. "The election of Lincoln," said he, "is a mere pretext," the secession movement is the result of an enormous conspiracy, formed by the leaders of the Southern Confederacy, before the election of Lincoln. "There can be no neutrals in this war only patriots

or traitors."

There were those in the border States who deprecated this call, and who expressed the belief that this act precipitated war, and that continued forbearance would have brought on a reaction at the South, which would have resulted in a restoration of the Union. They who indulged in such dreams little knew the spirit of the conspirators. Had this call been delayed, even a few hours, or had there been less promptness in responding to it, the President would have been assassinated, or he would have been a fugitive or a prisoner, and the rebel flag would have waved over the Capitol, and Jefferson Davis would have issued his Proclamations from the White House. Mr. Lincoln pursued the policy of conciliation, in the vain hope of peace, to the very verge of National destruction.

The fall of Sumter and the President's call for troops, were the signals for the rally to arms throughout the loyal States. Twenty millions of people, forgetting party divisions, and all past differences, rose with one voice of patriotic enthusiasm, and laid their hearts and hands, their fortunes and

their lives upon the altar of their country. The Proclamation of the President calling for 75,000 men and convening an extra session of Congress to meet on the 4th of July, was followed, in every free State, by the prompt action of the Governors, calling for volunteers. In every city, town, village, and neighborhood, the people rushed to arms, and the strife was, who should have the privilege of marching to the defense of the National Capital. Forty-eight hours had not passed after the issue of the Proclamation at Washington, before four regiments had reported to Governer Andrews, at Boston, ready for service. On the 17th, he commissioned B. F. Butler, of Lowell, as their commander.

Governor Sprague, of Rhode Island, calling the Legislature of that State together, on the 17th, tendered to the Government, a thousand infantry, and a battallion of artillery, and placing himself at the head of his troops, started for Washington.

The great State of New York, whose population was nearly four millions, through her Legislature, and the action of Governor Morgan, placed her immense resources in the hands of the National Executive. So did Pennsylvania, with its three millions of people, under the lead of Governor Curtin. And Pennsylvania has the honor of having furnished the troops, that first arrived for the defense of the Capital, reaching there on the 18th, just in time to prevent the seizure of the nearly defenceless city.

By the 20th of April, although the quota of Ohio, under the President's call, was only thirteen regiments, 71,000 men had offered their services through Governor Dennison, the Executive of that State. It was the same everywhere. Half a million of men, citizen volunteers, at this call, sprang to arms, and begged permission to fight for their country. The enthusiasm pervaded all ranks and classes. Prayers for the Union and the integrity of the Nation, were heard in every Church throughout the free States. State Legislatures, Municipalities, Banks, Corporations, and Capitalists everywhere offered their money to the Government, and subscribed im mense sums for the support of the volunteers and their families. Independent military organizations poured in their

offers of service. Written pledges were widely circulated and signed, offering to the Government the lives and property of the signers, to maintain the Union. Great crowds marched through the principal cities, cheering the patriotic, singing National airs, and requiring all to show, from their residences and places of business, the stars and stripes, or "the red, white and blue." The people, through the press, by public meetings, and by resolutions, placed their property and lives at the disposal of the Government.

At this gloomy period, through the dark clouds of gathering war, uprose the mighty voice of the people to cheer the heart of the President. Onward it came, like the rush of many waters, shouting the words that became so familiar during the war —

We are coming, Father Abraham,
Six hundred thousand strong.

The Government was embarrassed by the number of men volunteering, for its service. Hundreds of thousands more, were offered, than could be armed or received. Senators, members of Congress, and other prominent men, went to Washington to influence the Government to accept the services of the eager regiments, everywhere imploring permission to serve.

The volunteer soldier was the popular idol. He was everywhere welcome. Fair hands wove the banners which he carried, and knit the socks and shirts which protected him from the cold; and everywhere they lavished upon him every luxury, and comfort, which could cheer and encourage him. Every one scorned to take pay from the soldier. Colonel Stetson, proprietor of the "Astor House Hotel, in New York, replied to General Butler's offer to pay-"The Astor House makes no charge for Massachusetts soldiers." And while the best Hotels were proud to entertain the soldier, whether private or officer, the latch-string of the cabin and farm-house was never drawn in upon him who wore the National blue. Such was the universal enthusiasm of the people for their country's defenders.