You Called For War Until We Had It

Then, we have Lincoln, in his own words acknowledging his role in bringing on the war when confronting Josepth Meherry Medill, editor of the Chicago Tribune.

In 1864, upon the call for extra troops, the people of Chicago revolted and sent Medill to Washington to protest in person to the president any further troopers from that area. In response Lincoln retorted:

. . . after Boston, Chicago has been the chief instrument in bringing this war on the country. The Northwest has opposed the South as New England has opposed the South. It is you who are largely responsible for making blood flow as it has.

You called for war until we had it.

You called for Emancipation, and I have given it to you.

Whatever you have asked you have had. . .

You and your “Tribune” have had more influence than any paper in the Northwest in making this war.

You can influence great masses.

Tarbell, Ida M, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Vol 3, Lincoln History Society, New York, 1924, p. 218