Louisiana State Seminary of Learning

And Military Academy.

Alexandria, Nov 18    1860    

                       

My Dear Friend

                        I wrote you some time ago just before I received your letter by the hand of Cadet Robins. You have been travelling this summer in the Southern States. My route lay mostly through the Northern and Middle. You must have seen many Southern people not politicians, and I would like to know your opinion about what South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama & N Carolina are going to do because Lincoln is elected.

 

            Can it be possible, that with all the checks originally designed for a defect in either Department of our Government, still in full power viz. a Conservative Supreme Court and Democratic or opposition Congress, that States are going to attempt secession? I remember well the feeling in S Carolina but it looks like quixotism in her, to withdraw from a federation of States which is not & cannot be a mere loose pack out of which one may fall without / pulling down the whole. At present even admit Lincoln to be hostile to Slavery, which his friends deny, save as to its extension over Territories such as New Mexico, Rocky Mountains &c &c where no gentleman would ever take a slave or anything else worth having, can it be possible that the thousands who do own slaves, are going to imperil the whole by provoking Civil War?

 

            The papers received last night have alarmed me, simply because the time has just come for me to send for my family, my house being near completion, and I had in my mind already begun the movement of bringing them all down and preparing for them in advance at much cost. But of course if we are to begin a Civil War, or even if S Carolina is to act foolishly and Southern States feel bound to stand by her, I will not incur the expense or risk my family by bringing them South.

 

            You must know, I do know it, that the Creole planters, some at least dont / manage their slaves well, either to protect them or to keep them subordinate; and if Civil War once begin: if the Negros once do suppose the power of their owners is shaken by political events, who can stay the storm. Here in Rapides and with you at Lafourche the physical power of the Negros is as 20 to 1. And though I do not see any sign of mischief, yet I do see signs of uneasiness among the whites, ladies especially. Yesterday Cadets found a negro concealing a pistol, powder & shot. they have even asked me to put Sentinels &c. before they know any thing about the duties of sentinels.

 

            I instance these not as signs of danger, but as evidence of a lurking fear manifested by women & children, who are not as hardened as we are and are more sensitive to even groundless fears. But I do argue that the South would commit suicide by casting off the friendship of the large minority of voters North, and also of a very large body who voted for Lincoln, as I know, not in hostility to Slavery, not in enmity to the South, but in opposition to the / Democratic Party, and from cold reason, should the South secede—or any part thereof you will have the same difficulties in the new Confederacy, for in it there will be differences or shades of opinion on which to base different interests & parties.

 

            But I will not discuss this Question with you. All I know up here is that Gov. Moore & D^r Smith have gone to Baton Rouge and New Orleans, to watch events. I see by the papers that South Carolina, Georgia & Alabama do not propose to wait intending to break off, trusting to be followed by Sister States. You are also near the telegraph & sources of information and can judge of the chances, and whilst I personally might be willing to incur all the risks of Civil War & strife, I do not wish to subject my wife & children to the fears and real dangers that must ensue even an attempt at Secession.

 

            I will hope & trust it is merely a repetition of newspaper excitement soon to subside and in that belief I confirm my mind to my present important duties—

                                                                       

as Ever Yr friend

W T Sherman

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