The Real Cause of the U.S. Civil War

Steve Hurlbut to Abraham Lincoln, March 27, 1861


Page 15


It is impossible to expect from this adminis-

tration that they can restore at will the

lost habit of obedience, the patriotism

worn out -- the power whose prestige over

the minds of men has been wilfully

thrown away and abandoned by its

immediate predecessor.


I cannot close without repeating

to the President, that this is a time to

expect and be prepared for the worst,

that any yielding that the times may

enforce has infinitely more value

when it come from a Government

strong in fact and conscious of its

strength -- giving not from any suspicion

of fear -- but with the sense of power.

And if no yielding takes place

so much the more necessity for the most

ample preparation.

I should also state that no

person except Mr. Petigru is aware that I

have the most distant connection with the

Executive & that to keep this position as

soon as Mr. Lamon became known I left

him to himself.

           Very Resp'y             March 27, 1861

"Turn over"             S. A. Hurlbut

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Hurlbut Letter Page 15