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CHAPTER VIII
War Declared
1. These were but the beginning of sorrow, for the times grew
worse and worse, until no one in all the land of Dixie, dared to speak in
behalf of the land of his fathers.
2. Now, when James had served his full time, Abraham came to the
Federal city, and delivered a great oration, and became the Chief Ruler of
the land.
3. Then came there Commissioners from the South, and they said
unto him, Let there be no strife between thee and us, for behold all we
are brethren!
4. Let us, we pray thee, separate peaceably; and we will build
up a great nation, and be friends, and trade together, and get great gain.
5. But Abraham said, nay, but I have sworn to support the
Constitution, and cannot give up so much of the soil of this Union, as a
dove may need for her feet! I will not allow you to secede from the Union!
6. Then the Commissioners from the South, arose and departed
from Abraham, and brought word to their friends.
7. And they said, we have a war with Abraham, for he will not
allow us to secede.
8. Then Abraham sent his proclamation into all the land, calling
for 75,000 spearmen, and horsemen and footmen, and archers and slingers,
to gather themselves together to suppress the Great Rebellion.
9. Now, Arkansas, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia had
not seceded, but still clave to the Union;
10. But when they saw that Abraham was collecting an army to
subdue their brethren of the South, their wrath was kindled;
11. And when he sent unto the Governor's of these States for aid
against the South, they would not furnish it.
12. And these States seceded from the Union, and joined
themselves unto South Carolina, and the other Southern States
13. About this time a meeting of the mighty men of the South was
held at Montgomery, which is a city of no mean repute in Alabama.
14. And these mighty men of the South did proceed to form a
provisional government, which they called the Confederate States of
America, and they chose that city for the capital.
15. Now, there was one Jefferson whose surname was Davis, f the
tribe of Mississippi. He was
a valiant man, for he had been in the Mexican War, and had married Gen.
Taylor's daughter.
16. He was a member of the great Sanhedrim at Washington, as
Senator from his own tribe, and he was opposed to Abraham, and greatly in
favor of Secession.
17. Him they chose for Provisional President of the Confederate
States, and he made an oration to the people and greatly encouraged them.
18. And they fell upon their faces, and for the space of three
hours ceased not to cry. "Hurrah!
Jeff. Davis and the South."
19. And Jefferson chose wise men to be his counsellors, and
appointed Brigadier and Major-Generals for the army.
20. And the whole country was stirred up, and prepared to go to
War. It was the theme by day,
and the song by night.
21. Grave Senators and Reverend Division made orations, and urged
the people to rise up and discard the government of their fathers.
22. Farmers abandoned their furrowed fields, and caused their
pruning hooks to be made into Bowie knives, and their lands lay idle, and
brought forth nothing to support man and beast.
23. Mechanics left their shops, teachers gave up their schools,
colleges closed their doors, ministers came down from their pulpits, and
all prepared themselves to go forth to war;
24. And Jefferson commanded to send men through all the land to
seize all the rifles, and shot-guns, and muskets, and pistols, and Bowie
knives.
25. And all that were cunning workmen, wrought day and night, in
mending and making guns, and knives and swords, and drums;
26. And the women through all the region of the South, made flags
having on them, "the Stars and Bars," and they made clothes for
the soldiers, and haversacks, and they gave them blankets, and bread, and
much wine.

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