TABLE OF CONTENTS.

1. ACTS OF PRO-SLAVERY AGGRESSION.

Adoption of the Missouri Compromise-Purpose of the Mexican War-

Acquisition of Slave Territory-The Wilmot Proviso-Its Defeat and

the Confidence of the South-The Campaign of 1848-Non-Committal

Policy of the Whigs-President Taylor and the Admission of California

-The Fugitive Slave Law and Other Compromise Measures-Intense

Feeling at the North--The Campaign of 1852-Renewal of the Agita-

tion and Repeal of the Missouri Compromise-The Day of Compro-

mises at an End.

Page

1-18

II. THE WORK OF PREPARATION.

The Situation in Michigan in 1854-The Breaking Down of Old Party

Lines Strong Anti-Slavery Sentiment in the State The Underground

Railway Line-Correspondence of Whig Editors-An Important Pre-

liminary Meeting-Statements from Some of the Leaders-Free

Democratic Mass Convention-It Nominates a Ticket and Makes Over-

tures for a Union-Rousing Anti-Nebraska Meetings-Valuable Work

by Whig and Free Democratic Editors-Encouragement From the

Early Elections-A Long Step Towards Union-Strong Resolutions and

a Rousing Call.

19-34

III. THE FIRST REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

A Quick Response to a Rousing Call-The Great Convention "Under

the Oaks" at Jackson-An Immense Gathering of Strong and Repre-

sentative Men-A Series of Patriotic and Stirring Resolutions-Business

Transacted by Democratic Methods-A Body Harmonious in Purpose

and Results-The Most Noted Gathering Ever Held in the State-

Men Who Afterwards Became Prominent in National Affairs-How

the Party Received Its Name-The Last of Michigan Whig Conventions

-Course of the Prohibitionists-The Democratic Nominations-The

New Party Conducts a Short and Winning Campaign.

35-55

IV. SOLIDIFYING THE PARTY.

Claims to Priority in Organization--Mixed Condition and Various

Names of Parties in 1854-The Conduct of Affairs in Kansas Gradu-

ally Brings all Anti-Slavery Elements Together-A Land Trick in the

Interest of the Missourians-Free State Emigrant Aid Societies-

-Murders and Depredations by the Missourians-Elections Carried by

Force and Fraud-Heroic Resistance by Free State Men and Subse-

quent Gain in Influence--Their Final Success-Kansas at Last Ad-
mitted as a Free State, with Republican Officers and Legislature.

Page.

56-64

V. THE CONVENTION AND CAMPAIGN OF 1856.

First Republican National Convention--Nomination of Fremont and

Dayton with a Strong Platform-A Spirited Campaign With Ardent

Hopes of Success-The October Elections Have a Depressing Effect-In

November Buchanan is Elected by Narrow Margins in the Middle States

-The Election Considered a Moral Triumph for the Republicans, and a

Sure Indication of Future Success-An Exciting and Vigorously Con-

ducted Campaign in Michigan-The Result a Decisive and Enduring

Triumph-The Old School Democracy of the Peninsular State In Its

Death Throes.

65-77

VI. PRESIDENT BUCHANAN'S ADMINISTRATION.

A Fresh Shock to the North-The Dred Scott Decision-Its Effect Was

to Nationalize Slavery-The Decision Known to the President in Ad-

vance The Colored People Not Citizens Nor Possessed of Rights

Which the White Men Were Bound to Respect-The Black Man Not

Thought of Except as Property-The John Brown Raid and Its Effect

Upon the South--Character and Career of Brown-The Great Debates

Between Lincoln and Douglas-Last Successful Opposition to Internal

Improvements-A Prophetic Utterance.

78-88

VII. THE SECOND NATIONAL CONVENTION..

The Douglas Democrats and the Seceders From the Charleston Con-

vention-The Republicans Meet at Chicago in High Hopes-Immense

Gathering at the Wigwam-All the Free States and Six Slave States

Represented-Some of the Distinguished Men Present-Joshua R. Gid-

dings and the Declaration of Independence-A Ringing Platform

Adopted-Seward First Choice of a Majority of the Delegates--

Influences that Operated Against Him-Necessity of Carrying the

Middle States-Dramatic Scene When Lincoln was Nominated--Dis-

appointment of Michigan Republicans--Strong Nomination for Vice-

President.

89-103

VIII. THE LINCOLN AND HAMLIN CAMPAIGN....

The Regular Democratic and Seceders' Conventions-Nominations of

Douglas, Breckinridge and Bell-Certainty of a Division of the Demo-

cratic Vote-Combinations of Democrats and Constitutional Union

Men-Seward and His Friends Disappointed, But He Does Good Work

in the Campaign-Conservative Appeals to Business Men-Seward's

Reply-A Torch Light and Parade Campaign-Origin of the Wide

Awakes-Douglas on the Stump-Fusion in New York State-The Re-

publicans Win and Have Both Houses of Congress.

Page.

104-112

IX. THE INTERREGNUM..

A Country Without a Government-Plots for the Disruption of the

Union-Plans for Secession Had Long Been in Preparation-Utter-

ances in the Secession Conventions-Plotters in the Departments at

Washington-Arms Sent From the North to Southern Arsenals-Vessels

of the Navy Widely Scattered-Preparations for Seizing Southern

Forts-Vacillation of the President over His Message He Finally Con-

cludes That the Government Has No l'ower to Prevent Secession-The

South Carolina "Embassy"-Secession of the Southern States and With-

drawal of Members of Congress-Union Meetings in the North-The

Crittenden Compromise-The Peace Conference.

113-123

X. PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S ADMINISTRATION.

Lincoln's Journey to the Capitol-His Purpose as Regards Slavery--

Formation of the Cabinet and Discordant Elements There-Prominent

Men in Congress-Divided Opinions About the Southern Forts-

Seward's "Thoughts for the President's Consideration"-The South

Carolina Embassy-The Bombardment of Fort Sumter The First

Call for Volunteers-Prompt Response by Congress to the President's

Requests-Important Acts of General Legislation-The Question of

Returning Fugitives-The President Puts the Union Above the Slavery

Question-Events Leading Up to the Emancipation Proclamation-

Varying Fortunes of the War.

124-138

XI. PRESIDENT LINCOLN'S RENOMINATION..

His Own Attitude Toward the Question-Elements of Hostility to Him

-The Pomeroy Circular and the Chase Movement-The Union Repub-

lican Convention and the Nomination of Fremont-A Feeler Put Out

for General Grant-The Baltimore Convention-Lincoln Renominated by

Acclamation on a Strong Platform--He Secures the Nomination of

Andrew Johnson for Vice-President.

139-150

XII. THE LINCOLN AND JOHNSON CAMPAIGN..

Changing Prospects of the Campaign-The Democrats Give the Repub-

licans Valuable Aid-They Put a War General on a Peace Platform—

The War-is-a-Failure Utterance Reacts Against Them-Union Vic-

tories Help the Republican Cause-McClellan Virtually Repudiates the

Platform, and This Causes Great Dissatisfaction-Vallandigham, and

His Grievances-Peace Negotiations-The September and October Elec-

tions Favorable-A Sweeping Republican Triumph.

Page.

151-164

XIII. THE THIRTEENTH AMENDMENT.....

Important Events Attending the Close of President Lincoln's Admin-

istration-Prominent Members in the House of the Thirty-eighth

Congress The Thirteenth Amendment Introduced by an Old Democrat

-Its Easy Passage in the Senate-l'rolonged Contest Over the Measure

in the House-Being Defeated Its Parliamentary Standing Was Pre-

served by James M. Ashley-The Leading Speakers for and Against It-

The President and Secretary Seward Use Their Influence In Its Favor

-Final Adoption of the Amendment.

165-171

XIV. THE END OF THE WAR..

Futile Attempts at Negotiation--President Lincoln's Ultimatum-

Southerners Still Seek Recognition of the Confederacy-Mission of

Francis P. Blair-Jefferson Davis Appoints Peace Commissioners-

President Lincoln Visits Fortress Monroe--The Overtures Rejected-

War Meeting at Richmond-Report of Conspiracy Among Democratic

Generals-Successes of Sherman, Sheridan and Grant-The Evacuation

of Richmond-Lincoln's Visit to that City-His Greeting by the Colored

People Surrender of Lee-Assassination of the President-Sherman's

Terms with Johnston -Disbandment of the Armies.

175-183

XV. ANDREW JOHNSON AND HIS POLICY.

Forebodings of the Northerners in Regard to Johnson-His Campaign

Speeches Made An Unfavorable Impression-His Threats Toward the

South-Talk About Making Treason Odious-Sudden Change of Atti-

tude-Proclamation of Amnesty and Pardon-Poor Selections of Pro-

visional Governors for the Southern States-Mischievous Results of the

President's Plan-Southern States Re-enact Slavery in Another Form--

They Accept the Thirteenth Amendment and Then Proceed to Nullify

It-Discriminations Against Colored People in the Punishment of

Offenses-The President's Message-Committee on Reconstruction-In-

teresting Debates on the Southern Question-Passage of the First

Reconstruction Act and Proceedings Under It-The Fourteenth Amend-

ment to the Constitution.

184-202

XVI. THE IMPEACHING CONGRESS..

The Elections of 1866-The Arm-in-Arm. Convention in Philadelphia-

A Serious Movement Turned to Ridicule-Conventions of Southern

Loyalists and Northern Republicans-A Powerful Address to the Coun-

try by the Former The President's "Swing Around the Circle"-

Administration and Anti-Administration Soldiers' and Sailors' Conven-

tions-Large Republican Majority in the New Congress-Johnson's

Numerous Vetoes-Charges and Articles of Impeachment-Attempt to

Force Secretary Stanton Out of Office-Impeachment Renewed-Trial

of the Case and Benefits Therefrom-The Fifteenth Amendment.

Page.

203-220

XVII. THE FOURTH REPUBLICAN CONVENTION.

The Party at Sea With Regard to a Candidate-A Gradual Turning

Toward Grant-His Discretion During Johnson's Career-Meeting of

the Chicago Convention-Delegates From the Soldiers' and Sailors' Con-

vention-A Ringing, Patriotic and National Platform Adopted-General

Logan's Brief and Appropriate Presentation of Grant's Name-The

General Unanimously Nominated-Six Ballots for Vice-President-

Speaker Colfax Finally Wins-A Michigan Incident in Connection With

the Contest-Brief and Timely Letters of Acceptance-Grant's Defer-

ence to the Popular Wishes.

221-230

XVIII. THE GRANT AND COLFAX CAMPAIGN..

The Democratic Tammany Hall Convention-"Your Candidate I Can-

not Be"--The Nomination of Seymour and Blair-A Very Critical and

Fault-Finding Platform-Blair's Previous Record—A Weak Point in the

Ticket-The Southern Fire-Eaters Too Outspoken-An Active and

Bitter Contest--A Flood of Campaign Poetry-Grant's Speeches-

Seymour's Electioneering Tour--A Great Triumph for the Republicans

-A Large Majority of the Popular Vote, the Vote in the Electoral

College and in Congress.

231-241

XIX. PRESIDENT GRANT'S FIRST TERM..

Paragraphs from the President's Inaugural Message-A Cabinet that

Did Not Long Hold Together-Attempts to Solve the Reconstruction

Problem-Settling Old Scores with Great Britain-Financial Issues

Come to the Front-How to Discharge the Public Obligations and Get

Back to Specie Payments-The Act to Strengthen the Public Credit-

The Refunding Act-The Coinage Act Demonetizing Silver-The Salary

Grab The Treaty of Washington-The Proposed San Domingo Pur-

chase Defeated.

242-252