The Other Side of Lincoln

(“WILL YOU BE SLAVES OR INDEPENDENT” JEFFERSON DAVIS, President of the Confederate States of America)

The elegant Charleston Hotel was surely the place to be...a veritable who’s who of politicians, lawyers, wealthy planters, businessmen and other assembled would bees loitering in the lobby and the overflowing bar which was the place to be seen.

There was a festive air, only a few days to Christmas of 1860, and all those assembled seemed in a hospitable and expectant mood. Oscar Matterly, a wealthy Planter from Central Kentucky was the first to notice the elderly South Carolinian, Edmund Ruffin enter the bar area.

“Edmund!” Matterly stood and waved to his old friend.

“Come have a drink...we’re toasting tomorrow and the future.” He beamed as Ruffin approached the table. The others stood to greet the wealthy and well-known slaver and secessionist.

“Oscar, you old reprobate...you still alive?” Ruffin smiled in a good natured manner as he grasped the hand of the richest Planter in Kentucky, and a leading advocate for his state to follow the lead expected of South Carolina to secede from the union.

“Tomorrow we’re going to get a five day jump on St. Nick.” Matterly said, as the others roared their approval.

“1860 will prove to be a watershed year in the history of this country and South Carolina will lead the choir...sending a resolute message to our neighbors to the North. We refuse to give up our freedom and the right to run our states” Bill Pollard said as he hugged the old man.

“And you have always been the choir master, Mr. Ruffin.” Robert Stone said extending his hand in friendship.

“Mr. Ruffin, permit me to introduce a friend from California, Glenn Swindler.” Bill Pollard said.

“My pleasure indeed, to one who has traveled so far, to observe the delegation and the historical process...welcomes Mr. Swindler.” Ruffin said

“In no official capacity sir, but an honor to meet the man known across the country with the clarity of conscience and fortitude to stand against those who would thwart freedom, and the rights of the states to self-determination.” Swindler said.

“Yes, I anticipate South Carolina will fire a loud and effective message that every state in the union has the right to self-determination, on issues greater than slavery...we kicked George’s ass when he tried to impose his burdensome levy...we refuse to be held hostage to a federal government intent on bankrupting the states through its aggressive taxation to aid the northern manufacturing element.” Ruffin said to the obvious delight of the other choir members. “Most of this country does not understand that a most salient fact gentleman...the coming war is not over the Negro but the enslavement of the nation while hooked to the engines of progress!”

A roar went up as Edmund Ruffin completed what sounded like a stump speech with a message as clear as any which might have been written by Abe Lincoln, himself.

“You got that right Edmund...we’re too damn smart to become the Niger’s of the north.” Shane Seller said. “The question is who will do the bidding in the west...will California come in as a Free or Slave State Mr. Swindler?”

“Of course, we are new to statehood but my guess is that we are equally divided at this time and as you know we may be looking to South Carolina and perhaps even Kentucky to move our process.” Swindler said turning from Oscar Matterly hoping that the older man would not recognize him for there was work to be done and undercover activity was the order of the day.

“That sounds like a copout, you already know where South Carolina is going; but let us face the facts, gentlemen, California is so far west... and out of the mainstream, that they know they are the masters of their own destiny...be it free or be it slave, it’s only a name.”

“Kentucky is feeling the pressure from Washington as we sit. Lincoln can ill afford to lose his home state...but what the hell, those of us in Kentucky don’t consider him a Kentuckian anymore with his long history in Indiana and Illinois.” Matterly said.

“Sit down here Edmund...rest your old bones and let me get you a nice hot toddy to warm your countenance.” Matterly urged.

“What the hell are you campaigning for Oscar...thanks for the offer of the hot toddy but just order me a double Kentucky bourbon with a spring water on the side.” Ruffin said.

A black waiter stood nearby...Matterly waved for a round for the group.

“Heh boy...did you hear what The Honorable Mr. Ruffin is drinking...make that the best Kentucky bourbon in the house...and make it quick.” Matterly said.

“Yes su masser.” The waiter hurried off, like some whipped dog, as he left the room.

“Colonel Matterly...might I have a moment to speak with you privately.” Shane Sellers from Virginia whispered.

“Why certainly Shane...walk with me to the lobby...excuse us for a moment gentlemen.” Matterly said to the group. The wealthy Planter and member of the Kentucky Militia lead the way into the sprawling lobby of the hotel, which was crawling with guest.

“As always you’re very gracious with your time Colonel.” Sellers said as they settled in the plush wing chairs on the edge of the lobby.

“Could I offer you a freshly handmade cigar...just purchased this very morning.” Sellers offered.

“Why thank you Shane.” Matterly took the expensive cigar, cut the end with a small gold knife, rolled it through his mouth and held it between his teeth awaiting a light from one of the wait staff as though it was a part of his routine. Sellers didn’t wait for the Negro waiter, he placed the fire just below the tip of the cigar as Matterly puffed and rolled the cigar over the flame. When it appeared to have good fire he took a long draw and blew the large plume of gray smoke toward the atrium ceiling, a shaft of light pierced the smoke forming a halo affect around the two men and casting a cloud over the lobby, an ominous sign of the perilous times in which they lived.

“Colonel do you happen to know a family in Kentucky name of Lenahan...live near Bardstown?” Sellers asked.

“Dear God yes...know them all...Micks you know...son-of-a-bitches breed like that big thoroughbred stallion you got Shane...large

clan...came from Ireland. I believe originally in about 1780-85

maybe...came into Kentucky from Maryland at the turn of the century...which one you interested in?” Matterly asked.

“My daughter went up to St. Louis for the summer a couple of years ago...visiting my sister Lillian; you know married the Planter, Frisk. Well seems this young man, a Jr. officer Lenahan... I believe been serving out west with the Regulars...but recently moved to a Calvary unit...maybe the 3rd U.S.” Sellers said.

“Yes indeed, I do know the young man...there are several of those Lenahan’s in the Militia but this boy apparently wanted off the farm to fight injuns...joined up a few years ago...hell bent to be a cavalryman, somewhat against the old man’s advice...but like I said, huge family, dozen or more kids...those Micks breed their own slaves.” Matterly laughed and continued.

“Good people Shane...but you know... hand to mouth types. Illiterate...certainly not up to your class of people...you know what I mean”. He said.

“Thank you Colonel, my little Mary means a lot to us...got big plans for her.” Sellers said

“You mean you are trying to arrange a land merger.” Matterly laughed heartily.

“Something of that sort...you do have to watch after them...you know how kids are...the fire in their midsection cuts off all circulation to the brain...a young woman sees one of those dashing uniforms and ...well they just can’t reckon the future or even begin to ask the serious questions.” Sellers said

“Should I make some inquiry or speak to the boy’s daddy?” Matterly asked.

“Not at this time Colonel...Mary has promised her mother and me that it was just a summer flirtation and we have no need to be concerned...I do love her so and I suppose... I need to trust her for the time being...but if you will be kind enough to keep this under your hat...I’ll call on you should the situation change.” Sellers said

“Anytime...the offer is open ended...now I need to ask you a question about booking a mare to your stallion...got this Blue Hen...perfect match with that big fellow of yours.” Matterly inquired.

“Colonel, you could not have asked about a breeding season at a better time, any time after February he’ll be going to work...we have contracts in hand to breed him twice a day until June, now since its in the family, and we can take care of the registration notices to the authority...of course you know that all thoroughbred foals become a year old automatically the first day of January...you could send your mare up any time before then...you’ll have a nice early foal, getting a three or four month jump, on the rest of the field...and no ones the wiser.” Seller said with a twinkle of the horse trader.

“Hell, who knows maybe your mare will throw a colt capable of winning that new race they keep talking about running at Belmont...supposed to be at a mile and a half, strictly for three year old colts.” Sellers said.

“My mare’s just like me Shane, bred for stamina...can run all day, play all night...she is a stayer.” Matterly said with a big smile.

“But I know August Belmont...one of them Yankee blowhards, been hearing of this race and another over at Maryland at mile and 3/16th...for big money...we’ll see.”

“Sounds like we need to have something in the south to showcase our best since we have the most outstanding stallions.” Sellers said

“Sounds mighty good Shane...but what is this little caper going to cost me...seeing’s as your stud is standing for a king’s ransom?” Matterly said with a coy look as he put out the cigar he had been smoking.

“Who said anything about fees between family...lets call it a Quid Pro Quo should I have to call on you, in the future, regarding that Micks interest in my little gal” Sellers extended his hand to clinch the deal.

Abe Lincoln and his family had long since departed Kentucky (1816) when Gabe Russell was born in 1840. Though they lived only miles apart, (Lincoln was born February 22, 1808 in a single room log cabin in Hodgenville) the divide between the Lincoln’s and most of their Kentucky neighbors could not have been wider. The principle reason for this discord was the bitter attitude of Abe’s father, Thomas Lincoln, a dirt poor farmer, toward the issue of slavery. The advantage slaves provided rich Planters, posed an unfair market advantage for lower end farmers. Thomas Lincoln knew these conditions doomed the future prosperity for his family. Purely for selfish economic reasons Abe’s father, became a strict abolitionist and preached the evil of the slave condition to anyone who would listen, especially young Abe.

Realizing that he and his family were not going to survive conditions in which they found themselves in Kentucky, Thomas moved his family to Indiana... and then on to Illinois where young Abe was able to grow roots as well as his own social attitudes. The lessons learned at the heel of his father, would lead him to the Presidency of the United States and the infamy of leading the Union against the Confederacy in what was known as Mr. Lincoln’s War. Certainly one can speculate what the impact of the dire conditions under which the Lincoln family lived, had on young Abe. But it is safe to say that the old adage, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” applies to this family more than any other in the history of this country.

It was, in fact, Mr. Lincoln’s own hell, a devastating war but certainly not a war of his making. While it was well known that Lincoln abhorred slavery... this peculiar institution, as he referred to it... and publicly called for its abolition. At heart he was a peacemaker and did not denounce the owners of slaves, as had his father, and it is known that Abe made various efforts to appease the Southerners to abate the growing issue of secession of the slave states. Music to the ears of the Southerners, who preached state’s rights, against the concept mounted in the north of federal sovereignty.

While Mr. Lincoln would lead the Union, another Kentucky son would mount the leadership of the Confederate States of America. Jefferson Davis, born the same year as Lincoln (1808), Davis migrated to Mississippi after graduating from West Point in 1828, a year ahead of Robert E. Lee. Davis became a Planter (the ruling class in the south) and served Mississippi as a Congressman until 1845. He resigned from congress to fight in the Mexican War (April 25, 1846) in which Davis was severely wounded and won a hero’s praise. He returned to the Congress as a Senator, and later served as Secretary of War under President Franklin Pierce, thereafter returning again to the congress.

As Kentucky sons, Davis and Lincoln made their way toward the pinnacle of power and prestige. Gabriel Caldwell Russell and Electus Dominus Lenahan had decided to join the federals and fight the injuns. In 1860, the year Lincoln won the Presidency there were only about 16,000 troops, almost all of them scattered on the western frontier. By March 4, 1861, Leck Lenahan was a veteran of several Indian skirmishes while fighting under the command of “the Pathfinder” General Fremont and Leck had past his 20th birthday without serious injury... army life was all he had hoped it would be. But the election of the more famous Kentucky sons would change forever the life of Electus Dominus Lenahan as well as the history of the nation.

On that day, Abraham Lincoln was sworn in as President of the United States of America, the man with little formal education, who had tried and failed to earn a living at several occupations, had found one, at last, in which he fit. But instead of leading thirty-three states in the Union, Lincoln would take charge of twenty-seven while swearing that no other state would secede, especially Kentucky. Lincoln assured this political reality by permitting the “border states” to keep their slaves, as long as they did not secede.

On April 12, 1861 the first shot was taken of the Great War. South Carolina troops moved against Fort Sumter, capturing it with little difficulty. It is speculated, 75 year- old, Edmund Ruffin fired the second shot of the war...the first coming from the commanding officer to signal the attack. Edmund Ruffin was secure in his convictions that the south could not live under the tyrannical rule of a country which sought to pass unjust laws to oppress the states and their right to self-determination.

On April 13, 1861, President Lincoln executed the order to call up 75,000 men, mounting a campaign, which Lincoln knew would bring freedom to the blacks and retribution for his deceased father. But at a cost Lincoln could not fathom... for though he was a southerner by birth, he knew not the soul of the south by birthright. He could not imagine how hard and long these Southerners would preserver for the cause of the land and the right to determine one’s own future. Because all Southerners knew, that this was not to be a war to free the blacks, but was indeed, a war to enslave the heart of the south.

How different life would have been if the early part of the war had been properly executed after the Battle of Bull Run and the north defeated in the early stage of the war. The Capital, no doubt would have moved...perhaps to Birmingham, Alabama, more to the center and heart of the south. There would have been a serious roll-back of federal taxes and the wholesale release of the growing bureaucracy in Washington.

The north would have been left to manage its own insane appetite for growth and expansion of goods...to what end. Men, women and children working from daylight to dusk under conditions never experienced in the south, for wages that barely permitted a family to survive.

Think of it, they fought the great Civil War for that right. Cities under the scourge of black, billowing coal dust, reminiscent of London before the turn of the 19th century. Whose hand is it... that reaches out and predetermines destiny...who is it that looks life in the eye and says: clean air is unnecessary; fresh water a waste; children should labor as well, and as long, as adults; who is it that says you cannot live without a rug at the hearth or one on your head; drive a horseless carriage; live in a bigger house with no room for a garden?

It certainly wasn’t Abe Lincoln...but if the war could be placed at the feet of any names that might be recognized, they would be those seen as the Captains of Industry, perhaps we would be surprised to see fancy phrases, instead of names, such as: Economic Determinism; The theory of historical and political events and structures. Political or historical developments are determined by the underlying economic system or by the distribution of power over economic resources. Economic Liberalism; This term refers to the maximum role of markets and competitive forces in an economy. The state’s role is limited to the establishment of the necessary framework in which markets can operate and to the provision of services which private enterprise cannot provide. Economic Methodology; This is the process by which economics is explained: the philosophy of science as applied to economics. Economic Theory of Politics; This is an analytical model, which assumes that politicians are vote maximizers and voters are utility maximizers. Each voter is assumed to support the political party that will provide him with the highest degree of utility, (money) when it is elected. Politicians, motivated by self-interest and the desire to remain in public office, formulate policies, which will attract the maximum number of votes. Economic Theory of the State; This is an analytical framework for examining the role of institutions, taxation and law in the creation of economic models...this is what drives the hardware.

Economy Principle; Also referred to as parsimony, this is the general heuristic stating that if two scientific theories or propositions are equally acceptable, the simpler is to be preferred. The principle is fine in theory but has restricted applications because it is rare to find two prostitutes, (I meant postulates) which can be regarded as equally acceptable. Moreover in psychology and cognate disciplines there are no methodologies for measuring the complexity of theories.

So there you have it, the Captains of Industry are driven by language carefully designed so that nothing is ever accomplished, except that which is driven by law, fulfilling the golden maxim which maintains the

Politicians in office, and keeps the taxes flowing for the bureaucrats and the pork. A sort of self-fulfilling prophecy somewhat similar to the story of the two farmers who had one mule, which they sold back and forth to each other for years, making the event, the basis of their economic wellbeing... until one poor soul, sold the mule to someone outside the game...causing the other farmer to declare...how am I too live!

Following are a few of the vital statistics on the material differences between the combatants:

North

* Twenty-three states, including California, Oregon, and the

Three “border States” of Missouri, Kentucky and Maryland, plus seven territories.

* Population: 22 million with 4 million men of combat

age.

* Economy: 100,000 factories

1.1 million Workers

20,000 miles of rail

189,000 million in deposits

56 million in gold

* The ability to tax at will to pay northern manufactures to

Supply the War.

South

* Eleven states and the three “border states” (Missouri,

Kentucky and Maryland).

* Population: 9 million with 1.6 million men of combat age.

* Economy: 20,000 factories

101,000 workers 9,000 miles of rail

$47 million in bank deposits

$27 million in gold

* No tax base.

On paper, this war looked like a mismatch. About the only thing the south seemed to have going for it was the home-field advantage. Looking at the numbers alone, the south’s decision and fortunes seemed doomed from the outset. But as the history of warfare has consistently proven, David often defeats Goliath...or, at the least, makes them pay dearly for their victories. The south needed no better examples then the patriots who had defeated England in the Revolution.

Contrary to popular opinion, the north vastly out-produced the south in agricultural products and livestock holdings. The only commodity that the south produced in greater quantities than the north was cotton. And fortunate for the south, at least for the short term, all the cotton was shipped overseas. But the north had the means to increase their wartime supplies and ship them efficiently by rail. The south would have to purchase weapons, ships, and arms from foreign sources, exposing itself to a Union blockade, and the interference of France and England, systematically positioning them for the future of a divided Commonwealth.

On the south’s side of the balance sheet there were several small but significant factors, giving the south an advantage. The U.S. Army was largely comprised, and was led by Southerners who immediately resigned their commissions in the Union military in favor of the Confederacy. Southerners were for the most part better horsemen, better marksmen, and because they were more in tune with the land they all had their own weapons, using them for hunting and sporting.

The armies of the north were largely made up of conscripts from the urban centers, many of them immigrants who spoke no English, less familiar with arms and tactics and fighting on “foreign turf” for dubious reasons in their minds... for an ideology in which they could not identify... on the question of slavery and preserving the Union.

All of this gave the Confederacy an immediate advantage in trained soldiers and command leadership. In addition, the war would be primarily fought on southern soil giving all the advantages of fighting at home-familiarity with the terrain, popular partisan support, the motivation of defending the homeland, which had contributed to the American defeat of the British in the Revolution, were all small elements on the side of the recently formed Confederacy... which was not an advantage.

But as we began this exercise...what would have happened if the south had moved immediately into Washington D.C upon the heels of its stunning military victory on July 21, 1861 in The First Battle of Bull Run (or First Manassas). The State of Maryland, had already witnessed its first blood-shed in Baltimore, and a decided Confederate victory.

Many of the Civil War scholars, and all those whose opinion matter, are convinced that the Confederacy was better organized and was superior in scope and definition and could have easily taken Washington but for one small consideration. The north and the south were commanded by gentlemen, who had graduated from West Point, and lived by the ‘code’ of the military academy. One of the greatest Civil War Generals, (West Point-1846), Thomas J. Jackson, professor of military tactics and natural philosophy at Virginia Military Institute is fondly nicknamed, “Stonewall” for his leadership of the stand made by his troops that turned the tide of the battle at Bull Run. But as a professional courtesy...it was getting dark and General Jackson chose to let the enemy lick their wounds. Regrettably he could not lick his, and died early in the War from friendly fire.

.HISTORICAL REVIEW…………………..

Montgomery, Alabama was selected as the provisional capital of the newly formed Confederate States of America and even as President-elect Abraham Lincoln made his way to Washington from Springfield, Illinois for his swearing in and inaugural on February 18, 1861, he received word that former Senator Jefferson Davis from Kentucky had been chosen as the provisional president pending a vote of the confederate states to officially select a new president in 1862.

Lincoln, four days short of his fifty-third birthday winced against the chill of human nature and the historical inevitability of the coming massive tragedy of a Civil War. His intelligence had provided him with most of the salient facts surrounding this event. “One nation under God,” he thought...and by-god it shall remain that way. Seven hundred fucking rich Planters can push nine million of our fellow Americans into this human tragedy and we are wont to accept that they will not be dissuaded

From the involuntary servitude of those nearly nine million, except by the fires of a brutal war.

Traveling with a railroad detective from Chicago, Allen Pinkerton whom Lincoln had known from his days as legal counsel to the Illinois Central Railroad where also one of Lincoln’s Union generals George Brinton McClellan had served as an executive as well. Pinkerton had convinced McClellan and others in the new administration that a plan was afoot to assassinate Lincoln in route to Washington. Lincoln’s fears were further confirmed in Philadelphia by General Winfield Scott So Lincoln had sent his family along on another train while he disguised himself as the invalid brother of another female Pinkerton detective in a sleeping car. In addition to these detectives, Lincoln traveled as well with his trusted friend from Springfield, Ward Hill Lamon who acted as a body guard for the President-elect as the train traveled through Maryland into Baltimore and on into Washington. Safe from the assassination plot...for four years when another such plot would spring from operatives in Baltimore, led by an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth.

Through the window of his car, Lincoln watched the train glide along the wintry landscape, crossed its hills and valleys... the season hung like an old coat, unfashionable but warm. Could he maintain his old values as well, as he faced the mounting and hysterical cries in the rest of the country to tame this beast in the south once and for all? Haste was not his nature, he knew...he was a compromiser and though he hated slavery, he felt deeply that the natural order of the future would bring an end to this most disgusting and evil practice. Dear God, he prayed give me the time and patience to strike sense and not fear into a majority seeking revenge.

Who is this man, Jefferson Davis whom the Confederates have selected to lead them against me...strike that, the United States he thought. We were both born in Kentucky in the same year, though I am slightly more than ninety-days older than he. While Davis was at West Point, I was struggling to pay off bills of a failed merchants shop. I know that Davis married one of the daughters, Sarah Taylor... of my favorite general and great American hero, Zachary Taylor. But I heard that Sarah had died tragically of Malaria... less than six months after they had wed. Dear God his sorrow must have been great for I would be less a man without the love and support of my darling, Mary Todd.

I remember that I had heard through the political grapevine that he was so distraught over the death of his beautiful bride that he fled his plantation in Mississippi and went to the Carolinas where he regained his health and sanity. He was in the Congress, served well, but resigned to serve his country in the War with Mexico. The man is a patriot Lincoln thought...hell and a hero...heard that he was wounded twice in the Battle of Buena Vista and nearly died of that same Malaria which he had contracted along with his darling wife, Sarah.

Why in God’s name would a brilliant man like Davis...a dedicated public servant, who obviously loves this country as much as I or any of those goddamned dragons on both sides of the issue of slavery profess to love it. Well at least the poor bastard must have finally gotten some resolve when he returned from the war to Mississippi

He married some beautiful young belle named Varina Howell...eighteen years his junior...it’s a wonder she didn’t fuck him to death. But apparently made him a better man...he was re-elected to the Senate and served as Secretary of War under Franklin Pierce in 1853, after which he reclaimed his senate seat...and I believe chaired the committee who investigated that worthless son-of-a-bitch John Brown over the disaster at Harpers Ferry.

Then, as ironic as it was that we had never met I thought we might meet on the political podium in 1860 when Benjamin Butler of Massachusetts placed his name in nomination at the Democratic convention but apparently Davis knew that he could not garner votes in the north because of his southern heritage and less than a month ago, he resigns from the senate in support of Mississippi’s withdrawal from the Union. I wonder, Lincoln thought could I have done the same where the shoe on the other foot...would I have the same feeling for Illinois?

Lincoln would remember the night and his deep personal thoughts as his train carried him to Baltimore and on into Washington. But once he became President, the consistency of his personality on which he had based his life evaded him... as an old friend, Alexander Hamilton Stephens (“Little Ellick”) to whom Lincoln had sent a Christmas note before journeying to Washington came to the Capitol in his official capacity as Vice-President of the Confederacy...dispatched by Jefferson Davis in an attempt to negotiate a last minute settlement with the Union. Stephens and two others met in secrecy with the Secretary of War, William Henry Seward who promised without Lincoln’s authority that Fort Sumter would be evacuated. Lincoln refused to see his old friend who waited nearby, clutching the Christmas note, Stephens wept as he reread the warmth and the message from the President, “For your eyes only!” it read...”I promise that my administration will not interfere with slavery.” A friend at Christmas...a rebel before the first sight of the crocus.