Congressional Library, Lincoln Papers...

From J. H. Jordan to Abraham Lincoln, April 4, 1861
( Private)
Cincinnati O. April 4/61.
To President Lincoln:
Thirty days more of " Peace Policy" at Washington -- and not only the Republican Party, but the Government itself will be gone to destruction or placed beyond remedy!
We have been beaten in our city election -- the same in St. Louis -- Cleveland -- Rhode Island -- Brooklyn -- and lost two Members of Congress in Connecticut -- all from the demoralization and discouraging affect produced by the apparent inaction and temperizing policy of the new Administration, and the impression that Fort Pickens was going to be given up also to the rebels!
The only possible salvation of the Administration -- of the Government, and of the Union, depends upon a firm stand against Secession, and by all means and above all, upon the re-enforcement and holding against all opposition of Fort Pickens! That is the Key to this whole Secession business! Hold that -- and you hold everything within your own grasp, and everything " steady," until the disease runs its course, and either kills or cures itself -- as it surely will in less than one year. If it be possible (no matter what the cost of money or life) -- Fort Sumpter should be supplied with provision. It should be done by strategem. It can be done. Afterwards, it could be re-enforced with troops. But it will be better, a thousand times, that the Fort be attacked, captured, and Anderson and his men made prisoners of war, or all killed -- than that it be evacuated! But if it must be abandoned, let it be done; we can bear it -- provided Fort Pickens is held and reenforced for any emergency.

The most fatal infatuation that ever did or can possess a statesman is the idea of a Peace Policy in the present emergency! It only encourages and strengthens the enemy, while it disheartens the friends of the Union in the seceded States, as well as the real friends of the Union every where! A "Peaceable Separation" -- is an impossibility! Besides -- that is not what is aimed at by the Secessionists and their abettors. All they want is to get the Administration, and the Republican Party committed to a "Peaceable Secession", and that moment the question will be sprung upon us -- " Reconstruction on the basis of the Southern Constitution, or Disunion"! and we will thus be placed on the side of disunion -- and beaten to death! The love of the " Union" in this Country is stronger than hatred to Slavery: and whenever that question -- that issue comes (and it is coming) -- the dissolution of the Union, or the adoption of the Jeff. Davis Constitution by all the States -- the whole South, and the whole Democratic and Belleverett1 Parties at the North, with a large portion of the commercial and Manufacturing interests besides -- will be against us, and will carry us into the Southern Confederacy!

This scheme must be broken up -- and at once!

_________________________
David Upton