Lincoln on Democracy

"THE PERPETUITY OFPOPULAR GOVERNMENT"

Lincoln and Union, 1861 211 vent my giving more time to you. Indeed, I should not have left them now, but I could not well deny myself to so large and respectable a body. "THE PERPETUITY OF POPULAR GOVERNMENT" Proclamation Calling Out the Militia, and Convening a Special Session of Congress [APRIL 15, 1861] After thirty-four hours ofrebel bombardment, Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina, was evacuated by Union forces on April 14, igniting the Civil War. Lincoln summoned his cabinetfor a late-night session, and the following morning issued this call for troops, couching it in terms of preserving democracy. While the North generally applauded the proclamation , a New Orleans newspaper called it the "insolent" response of a "Military Dictator." By the President of the United States A Proclamation. April 15, 1861 Whereas the laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are opposed, and the execution thereof obstructed, in the States ofSouth Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course ofjudicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the Marshals by law, Now therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, in virtue of the power in me vested by the Constitution, and the laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of 212 LINCOLN ON DEMOCRACY the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number ofseventy-five thousand, in order to suppress said combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed. The details, for this object, will be immediately communicated to the State authorities through the War Department. I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government; and to redress wrongs already long enough endured. I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth will probably be to re-possess the forts, places, and property which have been seized from the Union; and in every event, the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of, or interference with, property , or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any part of the country. And I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid to disperse, and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within twenty days from this date. Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue ofthe power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. Senators and Representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective chambers, at 12 o'clock, noon, on Thursday, the fourth day of July, next, then and there to consider and determine, such measures, as, in their wisdom, the public safety, and interest may seem to demand. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand, and caused the Seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the city of Washington this fifteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand, Eight hundred and Sixty-one, and of the Independence of the United States the Eighty-fifth. ABRAHAM LINCOLN By the President WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. ...