Abraham Lincoln Papers: Incoming and Contextual Documents Document mal0942500

"The Union - It must and shall be Preserved"

Democratic Republican General Committee,

Tammany Hall

At a Special Meeting of the Democratic Republican General Committee, of the City of New York, held at Tammany Hall, on Friday Evening, April 26th, 1861, the following proceedings were had:
On the motion of Mr Waterbury, it was ordered that a committee of five be appointed to draft Resolutions expressive of the sentiments of the Democracy of this City, relative to the present troubled state of the Country; and the Chair appointed as such Committee, Nelson J. Waterbury, Claudius L. Monell, John T. Hoffman, Francis I. A. Boole, and William Burns.
The Committee reported the following Preamble and Resolutions, which, after several speeches in their support, were unanimously adopted:

Whereas, This General Committee, and those they represent, have, to the present time, been the consistent advocate of the rights of every section of our country, and the firm defenders of the Constitutional rights of the Southern people, to protections from every species of assault open their peculiar domestic institutions, and have always maintained their right to share, upon equitable terms, in the settlement of the National domain, and have made resolute and strenuous efforts to secure an adjustment of the whole matter in controversy, upon a basis at once just and liberal toward the South and honorable to our whole Country. And,

Whereas, Several of the Southern States have assumed the position of violent resistance to the National authority, which resistance has been carried to the extent of actual war, manifested by outrages on the flag of the Unites States; the forcible seizure of their fortifications and property; the preparation of extensive armaments and batteries for assault upon the forces of the nation; the bombardment of Fort Sumner; and finally, by an invitation to the freebooters of the world to prey upon the commerce of our people. And,

Whereas, The rulers of the Seceded States, by the measures aforesaid, have commenced a civil war upon the United States, threatening their existence as a National power. And,

Whereas, The members of the Democratic party - a party whose history is the record of an eminent and successful part in the formation of our institutions, the administration of our government, and the prosperity of our country, are especially called upon by all the memories of the past, and all the hopes of the future, to rally with promptness and vigor to the defence of their country against all foes, whether at home or abroad: therefore,

Resolved, That the Democracy of this city are heartily united, with all of its citizens, as one man, to uphold the Constitution, enforce the laws, maintain the Union, defend the Flag, and protect the Capital of these United States, in the full and firm belief that this preservation of our national unity is the only security for the rights, liberties and power of our own people, and the greatest hope of oppressed humanity throughout the world.

Resolved, That this rally for the country is nobly and wisely made by our whole people, irrespective of party organizations, and without regard to past differences of opinion or action, for the purpose of sustaining the Government in the exercise of its powers and duties as the constituted authority of the nation; and that in the same spirit, and for the same purpose, all questions as to what has been done or omitted in the way of concession and conciliation, and all questions respecting the course and policy of the Administration, should be forgotten until the national honor has been vindicated, and the national power firmly established.

Resolved, That the unanimity and spirit with which the people of the North have responded to the call of the President for material aid in the present crisis, should not be taken as an indication of the least desire, or even willingness on their part, to war upon people of the South; but only as an evidence of their determination to preserve the Union, as a blessing of inestimable value, and defend the sacred Flag of our country, which commands the homage of all our hearts; and of their inflexible resolved that Bunker Hill and Mount Vernon, New York and New Orleans shall never be dissevered.

Resolved, That we cannot disregard the evidences which have been presented, that in many parts of the South, the resistance to the National power has been accomplished by the terrorism of mob rule, and against the interests and wishes of the conservative classes, embracing a large portion of the extensive owners of slaves; and we yet look to Tennessee and Kentucky, containing the tombs of Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay, and the homes of James Guthrie, John J. Crittenden and Andrew Johnson, in the hope that their fidelity to the Union and the National Flag will be maintained amid all the difficulties of their position; and we pledge ourselves to those States, and to all the loyal men of the South, to defend the Constitutional rights and interests of every section of the Union, at all times and under all circumstances, with the same zeal and fidelity with which we will uphold the National power, and aid in the prompt and proper punishment of all traitors.

Resolved, That we have witnessed with pride and admiration, the calm and forbearing possession and heroic defence of Fort Sumner, by Major Robert Anderson, a gallant and noble son of Kentucky, and for his patriotic efforts for peace, his brilliant defence of his Flag, and his manly refusal to surrender to the enemy, we render to him our heartfelt thanks; and that all who may distinguish themselves in the service of this glorious Union in its present peril, will be honored throughout the country, and enshrined in every patriotic heart throughout all time.

It was further resolved, on motion of Mr. Miner, that a Committee of three be appointed to procure a Banner, bearing conspicuously the memorable words of Andrew Jackson, "The Union must and shall be preserved;" and that it be suspended in front of Tammany Hall until the war is over; and the Chair appointed as such Committee, William Miner, William D. Kennedy and E.B. Hart.
It was further resolved on motion of Mr. Waterbury, that the proceedings of this meeting be published, and that a certified copy thereof be transmitted to the President, Major Anderson, John J. Crittenden, James Guthrie and Andrew Johnson.

Elijah F. Purdy,
Chairman

A.B. Rollins,
John Hardy,
Secretaries

[*9425*]

[1861, Apr. 26]