It would be unjust to the senators and representatives in Congress to leave the impression that their unavailing efforts at conciliating the South were any thing more or less than a compliance with a popular demand which overspread the free States.
Blaine defends the actions of Congress members as a response to public demand rather than genuine attempts at conciliation with the South.
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As slavery had been the chief inciting cause of disunion, slavery should die.
The Northern people shrank from the responsibility of transferring the government of States to the control of men who had already shown themselves capable of desperate deeds.
Emboldened by the support of the National Administration, the Southern leaders believed that they could carry their designs through, and, instead of being restrained by the protest or the advice of Republicans, they chose with apparent…
In all the revolted states, upon the testimony of your ablest generals, there is no safety to the property or lives of loyal men.
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