R. Gilmore, of the _Tribune_, on a secret mission to
Richmond for this purpose. They must go without credentials or
authority, as private individuals and risk life and liberty in the
undertaking.
Both men promptly accepted the mission and left for Grant's headquarters
to ask General Lee for a pass through his lines.
The Democratic Party was now a militant united force inspired by the
Copperhead leaders, who had determined to defeat the President squarely
on a peace platform and put General McClellan into the White House.
Behind them in serried lines stood the powerful Secret Orders clustered
around the Knights of the Golden Circle.
Positive proofs were finally laid before the President that these
Societies had planned an uprising on the night of the election and the
establishment of a Western Confederacy.
Edmunds, the President of the Union League, handed him the names of the
leaders.
"Now, sir, you can strike!" he urged.
The tall, sorrowful man slowly shook his head.
"You doubt the truth of these statements?" Edmunds asked.
"No. They are too true. Let sleeping dogs lie. One revolution at a time.
We have all we can manage at present. If we win the election they won't
dare rise. If we lose, it's all over anyhow--and it makes no difference
what they do."
With patient wisdom he refused to stir the dangerous hornet's nest.
Pages:
493
494
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517