Taylor was ready to appeal to arms against "these Southern men in
Congress [who] are trying to bring on civil war" in connection
with the critical Texas boundary question.[58]

[58] Thurlow Weed, Life, II. 177-178, 180-181 (Gen. Pleasanton's
confirmatory letter). Wilson, Slave Power, II. 249. Both
corroborated by Hamline letter Rhodes, I. 134. Stephens's
letters, N. Y. Herald, July 13, Aug, 8, 1876, denying threatening
language used by Taylor "in my presence," do not nullify evidence
of Taylor's attitude. Mann, Life, p. 292. Private Washington
letter, Feb. 23, reporting interview, N. Y. Tribune, Feb. 25.


On this 23d of February, Greeley, converted from his earlier and
characteristic optimism, wrote in his leading editorial: "instead
of scouting or ridiculing as chimerical the idea of a Dissolution
of the Union, we firmly believe that there are sixty members of
Congress who this day desire it and are plotting to effect it. We
have no doubt the Nashville Convention will be held and that the
leading purpose of its authors is the separation of the slave
states . . . with the formation of an independent Confederacy."
"This plot . . . is formidable." He warned against "needless
provocation" which would lisupply weapons to the Disunionists". A
private letter to Greeley from Washington, the same day, says:
"H-- is alarmed and confident that blood will be spilt on the
floor of the House. Many members go to the House armed every day.
W-- is confident that Disunionism is now inevitable. He knows
intimately nearly all the Southern members, is familiar with
their views and sees the letters that reach them from their
constituents. He says the most ultra are well backed up in their