Chapter XXV: Appendix: NOTE C: Page 88

The following letter to the author of these Reminiscences, is from his friend,--a gentleman of superior social and professional standing, and a citizen of Richmond, Virginia. It expresses his mind, and probably that of many other intelligent and reflecting persons in Virginia at the time it was written, concerning the civil and political situation.

RICHMOND, Dec. 26, 1860.

“There are times when friends are indeed blessings. I prize a
sympathizing friend more and more every day: and I almost think
that the time has come when union with Christ is the only bond
that can certainly survive the shock and the disintegration that
threaten our social structure.

After a conversation held last evening with a circle of
intelligent friends, I retired to my room convinced that we are,
as a nation, all adrift,--under cross tides,--under high and
variable winds, without chart, compass or generalship,--except
the secret purposes of the Eternal Mind.

Paul’s experience on the Adriatic,--without sun, moon or stars
for many days, comes up to my mind. This only I know, that God is
serene; in knowledge and power,--the sure trust of His Church and
people.

The work of disintegration goes on,--without any combination,
as yet, of the forces. The inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, (if he
is inaugurated,) will give proportions and type to the entire
Southern elements, which will present a distinct and palpable
issue to the North and South.

I incline to think that the South will become substantially a
unit upon the main points at issue, whilst the North is likely
to be divided both on the moral and political questions pressing
upon them. Then a line will have to be conceded or fought for,
or a reconstruction of the Federal Government will take place.
The West and North West are inoculated already with the doctrine
of free trade; and if Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Savannah,
Mobile and New Orleans are declared free ports of entry, the laws
of trade will prove invincible powers, aided by foreign diplomacy
and interests, before which manufacturing New England will have
an unequal struggle.

The trouble is with Pennsylvania and her iron interests; but
New York will force Philadelphia into Southern sympathies, and
Commerce will butter the bread of politicians. Such are my poor
thoughts.

I go with a United South on such grounds as Kentucky, Tennessee,
Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia may consent to. The Cotton
States cannot, as I think, make themselves respected as an
independent power, at home or abroad. They will feel this before
their Conventions dissolve.

Our pride needs to be humbled! our national and public sins to
be felt and deplored. I trust the fourth of January will bring
the people of God before Him in such an attitude, that He, as He
alone can, will deign to hear and save us yet.

... If this Union is to be dissolved, and especially if extreme
Cotton ideas are to prevail, I would willingly accept a home
in England or Scotland. The thought of exile from America!
Strange!!! But I am now humiliated and grieved, so that I know
not what more I could feel except at the horrors of _blood_ shed
by brothers.”