n by urgent considerations of necessity and safety; another
scouted the idea of coercing a seceding State; to a third, peaceful
separation, though painful and humiliating, seemed the only safe and
honourable way. Reuben H. Walworth, the venerable ex-chancellor,
declared that civil war, instead of restoring the Union, would forever
defeat its reconstruction. "It would be as brutal," he said, "to send
men to butcher our own brethren of the Southern States, as it would be
to massacre them in the Northern States."

Horatio Seymour received the heartiest greeting. Whether for good or
evil, according to the standards by which his critics may judge him,
he swayed the minds of his party to a degree that was unequalled among
his contemporaries. For ten years his name had been the most
intimately associated with party policies, and his influence the most
potent. The exciting events of the past three months, with six States
out of the Union and revolution already begun, had profoundly stirred
him. He had followed the proceedings of Congress, he had studied the
disposition of the South, he understood the sentiment in the North,
and his appeal for a compromise, without committing himself to some of
the extravagances which were poured forth in absolute good faith by
Walworth, earned him enthusiastic commendation from friends and
admirers. "The question is simply this," he said; "Shall we have
compromise _after_ war, or compromise _without_ war?" He eulogised the
valour of the South, he declared a blockade of its extended sea coast
nearly impossible, he hinted that successful coercion by the North
might not be less revolutionary than successful secession by the
South, he predicted the ruin of Northern industries, and he scolded
Congress, urging upon it a compromise--not to pacify seceding States,
but to save border States. "The cry of 'No compromise' is false in
morals," he declared; "it is treason to the spirit of the
Constitution; it is infidelity in religion; the cross itself is a
compromise, and is pleaded by many who refuse all charity to their
fellow-citizens. It is the vital principle of social existence; it
unites the family circle; it sustains the church, and upholds
nationalities.... But the Republicans complain that, having won a
victory, we ask them to surrender its fruits. We do not wish them to
give up any political advantage. We urge measures which are demanded
by the hour and the safety of our Union. Are they making sa