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- Aug 16, 2015
This thread will consider whether the crisis that faced the new Administration in March and April 1861 could have been solved by negotiation.
Please limit posts to that timeframe.
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he might of if the Confederates hadnt resorted to the use of force to solve a diplomatic problem, and I dont consider a fort mere hours from a state capitol and on top of key waterways as being on the frontier..
And just who do you think wouldn't discuss a remedy for peace? Lincoln and his minions!
The Confederate government sent commissioners to Washington to talk. It was Lincoln who wouldn't reciprocate and Seward who led them on (through an intermediary no less) promising one thing while doing another behind their back.
In the eyes of the United States and the world there was no confederate government to send commissioners. Lincoln chose not to legitimize rebels by granting them an audience. He felt this was in the best interest of the country. Well within his powers and responsibility as president and commander in chief.
Then Lincoln chose war. He had no problem meeting with "rebels" at Hampton Roads four years later, when time and experience had seasoned him as a leader.
Yes, but he still did not recognize the CSA as a legitimate gov't or entity at that time. That meeting was more in line with Lincoln asking, "So...are you ready to give up yet, but now on my terms? And no compromise"
Perhaps he might of if the Confederates hadnt resorted to the use of force to solve a diplomatic problem, and I dont consider a fort mere hours from a state capitol and on top of key waterways as being on the frontier..
Think of Sherman and Breckenridge at the surrender talks in 1865, where Sherman found an excuse to meet with Breckenridge (and Johnston) despite clearly stating he didn't recognize the legitimacy of the Confederate government.
But, the key difference as I see it and recall is that this meeting was between army commanders discussing surrender terms. And Breckenridge was in his capacity as a confederate general not as an official of the CSA gov't, albeit that he was also present to utilize his wiley skills as a lawyer. Not to mention that IIRC they tried to get Sherman drunk. But hey, all's fair...right?
Then Lincoln chose war.
So if I don't negotiate with my mugger its my fault if he shoots me? I guess I just wanted to choose violence instead of negotiation.I just think that if US leadership, civilian and military, could find an excuse to talk to the Confederates to end a war, they could have found a way to talk to them to prevent one. Surely that's what diplomacy is for.
I just think that if US leadership, civilian and military, could find an excuse to talk to the Confederates to end a war, they could have found a way to talk to them to prevent one. Surely that's what diplomacy is for.
So if I don't negotiate with my mugger its my fault if he shoots me? I guess I just wanted to choose violence instead of negotiation.
I agree with you. But don't be hanging around all the time saying nothing was being done about peace when the Confederacy attempted to do just that!In the eyes of the United States and the world there was no confederate government to send commissioners. Lincoln chose not to legitimize rebels by granting them an audience. He felt this was in the best interest of the country. Well within his powers and responsibility as president and commander in chief.
Agreed.I just think that if US leadership, civilian and military, could find an excuse to talk to the Confederates to end a war, they could have found a way to talk to them to prevent one. Surely that's what diplomacy is for.
They needed a "civil standby". Although, this falls under the tab of "preventing war", & would've required meeting with the Government that didn't exist.....The southern states had a joint claim with the northern states on the forts and arsenals, and last I checked, both sides at the forts were armed, so I don't agree with the "mugging" analogy. It was more of a property rights dispute.
Lincoln attempted a secret attack on South Carolina and then sent supplies, and Reinforcements! Who wouldn't fire on that.Tension already existed but it was the rebels that chose war the second they fired the first gun.
Lincoln attempted a secret attack on South Carolina and then sent supplies, and Reinforcements! Who wouldn't fire on that.
The southern states had a joint claim with the northern states on the forts and arsenals, and last I checked, both sides at the forts were armed, so I don't agree with the "mugging" analogy. It was more of a property rights dispute.