Patriotic, but hopes both sides “will pause and reflect ere they enter directly into the contest.”
Cocky North - rebels sure would stand and fight (6-8-1861 LOC - LC-USZ62-4834)
From The New-York Times June 9, 1861:
THE FEELING ABROAD.
The following is an extract from a letter received in this City from a gentleman now in Europe:
“I shall leave my family and go temporarily to the United States, or what is left of those once United, and take my place in the ranks of the defenders of the Union, the Constitution and Federal Government. On this point, since we have received the news of actual hostilities, my mind was at once made up. If war be regularly waged between the North and South, armies be marched to meet one another in the field, armaments and preparations be generally made, and there is every indication of a severe and protracted struggle, Deo volente, I shall most certainly return to my distracted country, and do the little in my power to aid and extricate her from embarrassment. When the Federal Capital, Government forces and officers are threatened by a section, and an armed invasion of the North and its territory openly advocated and boasted of, I deem it the duty of all good citizens to put aside political and other differences, and to respond with arm and purse to the call of the national and honestly elected Administration. The history of the world can hardly produce a parallel to such arrogance, treachery and disregard for all human and divine laws as are exhibited by the military oligarchy of the South.
Expat's opponent - Southern blood aroused too (LOC - LC-DIG-ppmsca-37155)
I trust sincerely that the hostile forces once brought face to face, will pause and reflect ere they enter directly into the contest. The result must be fatal to the South, as Northern blood once aroused will not be cooled without the infliction of a severe and perhaps salutary lesson. It has borne long enough the taunts and encroachments of a party prone to underrate and speak contemptuously of its qualities. The trial had to come, sooner or later, and the quicker the climax is reached the better for the present and succeeding generations.
My strong hopes are that the difficulty will be of short duration, and will be terminated either by a severe check given to the Secessionists at all points, or by the effect upon them of the great and united Northern demonstration and consequent pause and negotiation.
My mind, as you may well imagine, is much excited by the news of the attack upon the Massachusetts troops in Baltimore, the burning of the Government Navy-yard and vessels at Norfolk, and the expected seizure of Washington. May the Seventh and other New-Yorkers give a good account of themselves. Yours, &c., J.K.R.
