James S. Green, of Missouri-Douglas's Estimate and Dis- posal of him-Douglas's Leadership-Private Conversations with him at Springfield, in which he discussed Public Affairs The Beginning of Lincoln's Administration-The Cabinet-The Previous Preparation during the Winter at Springfield-The Situation-Determination of the Conspirators as shown in Toombs's Letter-Clark's Resolutions-Weed on the Contro- versy-Plan for Settlement by a National Constitutional Con- vention-Lincoln's Patience and Ability-Anthony's Propo- sition-Charles Francis Adams's Proposition-Webster as a New York City-Madison's Interpretation of the Constitution— Senator Reverdy Johnson on Calhoun and Nullification- Howell Cobb on Secession-Albany Argus on the South- Peace Conference in Albany-Clinton's Address-Newspaper Editorials-Lewis Cass-Davis's Resolutions-A Southern Physician's Experience-The Crisis-The Nation's Leading Defenders and Supporters-Lincoln's Dominance above all...579 Inauguration of President Lincoln a Turning-point in Human Affairs-An Estimate of the Men about him-Events from Assault on Fort Sumter-Effect on the People-Extra Session of Congress-Call for Volunteers-How the Border States were held in the Union-Lincoln's Message to Congress- Rapid Work in Legislation--The Cankerous System of Slavery-General Winfield Scott-Conservatism-Mustering and Mobilizing of the Armies of the Potomac, Cumberland, The Flight of Armies in 1862-European Estimates and Opin- ions-The Volunteer Soldier-Developing Leaders—Lovejoy's ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND THE MEN OF HIS TIME. S in CHAPTER XXVI. HORTLY after Wilson Shannon's arrival in the Terri tory of Kansas in September, 1855, the contest was carried on vigorously on both sides, and civil war existed every inhabited part of it. Lawrence was held in a state of siege for several days. The inhabitants, knowing that they were vastly outnumbered, submitted to the search for arms, ammunition, and other plundering and pillaging, rather than attempt resistance at such unequal advantages. They did so, too, on Shannon's promises of protection. Shannon was entertained on his arrival in their best and most uproarious style by Atchison and his followers. They had denounced Reeder out of office, as they believed, and had not been backward in giving their opinions as to the kind of man to be sent as his successor, if one was sent. The truth was, they would have been entirely satisfied with no successor, but to continue with Secretary Woodson as acting governor, who was one of them, and as certain to execute their most devilish plans, as Atchison and Jefferson Davis were to make them. The Administration would have been altogether willing for this, but public indignation was wrought up over Reeder's removal and the deviltry of the border war. So a reputable Democrat, who could be influenced and molded to the liking of the slave extenders, was a necessity. Shannon was selected, after careful consideration of his disposition and qualifications, as the most willing and serviceable man they could get. This he proved to be for a time. He was plastic, soft clay in their hands, pliable and uncomplaining, until he realized, in the spring of 1856, that he was not expected to interfere with the operation of their plans, and that if he did, they would soon be rid of him. Finding that Atchison was really governor, no difference who held the title, he resigned, and attempted to leave the Territory, thoroughly disgusted, while Atchison, Woodson, and their hordes were assembling for another raid against the free State settlement of Lawrence. Before leaving, they compelled him to assent to the mustering in, as Kansas militia, all the armed Southern immigrants brought in, as heretofore related, which Woodson took up at once and completed. He had gained authority again, where he could for a brief season play the willing agent and petty tyrant, and, as he hoped, provoke the free State people to open resistance of the authority of the United States. This, of all things, these slavery leaders most desired, so that the regular army might be used against them to their utter and complete destruction. The free State movement had been broken up, as much as it could be by threats, writs issued, arrests made, and the dispersion and scattering of the members wherever it was possible. What was left of the free State Legislature had, among other dispositions, adjourned in March to meet again on the 4th of July, 1856, to receive the action of Congress on their application for Statehood. In this situation, with Shannon fleeing and glad to be free of them, Atchison and Woodson thought the time was opportune to provoke the free State people to resistance. With a chance that they regarded almost a certainty, Woodson recited President Pierce's Proclamation. He issued his own proclamation, forbidding all persons claiming to have legislative power and authority, as aforesaid, from assembling, organizing, or acting in any legislative capacity whatever. Colonel Sumner, who had been assigned to duty by direction of General Scott, was a fair, impartial officer, and, so far, the friend of the free State people, and so desirous of peace that he determined to aid in a peaceful dispersion of the free State Legislature; but with these intentions, he was so limited by his instructions that there was nothing left for him to do but to disperse the unoffending body of men by armed force if they attempted any resistance. In this way Jefferson Davis used the army for the suppression of liberty and the dispersing of a peaceful body of "Squatter Sovereigns," exercising their rights to assemble, organize, and, as has been done over and over in our progress, petition Congress for admission as a State. In this move, as in many others, Atchison and Woodson were playing against a man much better informed and with more than double their combined wisdom. The free State people gathered, but not in any public place. Robinson explained the situation, and disclosed the trap set for their destruction. Colonel Sumner fully understood it. The free State Legislature did not assemble at their regular place of meeting, but quietly separated. At noon, July 4th, Colonel Sumner lined up his dragoons in front of the free State Hall; but there was no free State Legislature there to disperse or disband, and nobody present for the dragoons to kill. Atchison, Woodson, and Jones were chagrined and humiliated again by Robinson. Early in May, 1856, United States Marshal Donaldson took Buford's Southern men and several others, amount |