All knew… ALL KNEW … that
this interest was the cause …
And? And the war came …
Both parties deprecated war but one of them would make war rather than let the nation survive, and the other would accept war rather than let it perish.
And the war came.
One eighth of the whole population were colored slaves not distributed generally over the union but localized in the southern part of it.
These slaves constituted a peculiar and powerful interest.
All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war.
To strengthen perpetuate and extend this interest was the object for which the insurgents would rend the Union even by war …
Abraham Lincoln, Second Inaugural Address.
On March 4, 1865, only 41 days before his assassination, President Abraham Lincoln took the oath of office for the second time.
Lincoln’s second inaugural address previewed his plans for healing a once-divided nation.
The speech is engraved on the north interior wall of the Lincoln Memorial.
The war was still going on on March 4, 1865 and Mr. Lincoln had no problem saying “All knew that this interest was somehow the cause of the war.“
As far as I can tell, no one disputed this claim at the time.
The New York Times slugged its coverage of the speech stating:
THE INAUGURATION
A Stormy Morning but a Clear Afternoon.
THE PROCESSION TO THE CAPITOL.
Imposing Display–Enthusiasm Among the People.
THE INAUGURATION CEREMONIES.
Vice-president Johnson Sworn in by Mr. Hamlin.
President Lincoln takes the Oath for the Second Term.
HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
The Changes of Four Years–Both Sides Disappointed at the Length of the War.
HE SITUATION VERY HOPEFUL.
Our Object a Just and Lasting Peace Among Ourselves and with Others.
No one said, “PRESIDENT OFFERS NEW REASON FOR WAR.”
No one said, “SLAVERY? REALLY?”
Mr. Lincoln said, ALL KNEW and all seemed to understand what he meant by all and what he meant what it was they knew when he said ALL KNEW.
Mr. Lincoln was the man on scene.
Mr. Lincoln would have been the one to know what he meant when he said ‘all knew’ and he knew what it WAS that ‘all knew’ when he said ‘all knew’.
Over the years since, the question has not changed.
What caused the Civil War.
Back in 1865, Mr. Lincoln said all knew what caused the Civil War.
I mean, at this moment, I am not pointing fingers at who or what was said, but that, today, the newsroom discussions to answer the question are searching searching searching.
Might has well ask what color was George Washington’s White Horse.
OH … ohhhhhhhh. .. oh, gee whiz.
PS That was asked once in a class I was in and the kid next me yelled back, How am I supposed to know that??
No Haiku For You 