and Valois; they know that every regimental mess-room is canvassed;
each ship's ward-room is sounded; officers are flattered and won
over; woman lends her persuasive charms; high promised rank follows
the men who yield.

In these negotiations, no one dares to breed discontent among the
common soldiers and sailors. It is madness to hope to turn the steady
loyalty of the enlisted men. They are as true in both services as
the blue they wear. Nice distinctions begin at the epaulet. Hardin
and Valois are worn and thoughtful. The popular tide of feelings
is not for the South. Separation must be effective, to rouse
enthusiasm. The organization of the Knights of the Golden Circle
proceeds quickly, but events are quicker.

The seven States partly out of the Union; the yet unfinished ranks
of the Southern Confederacy; the baffling questions of compromise
with the claims and rights of the South to national property are
agitated. The incredulous folly of the North and the newspaper
sympathy of the great Northern cities drag the whole question of
war slowly along. In the West (a month later in news), the people
fondly believe the bonds of the Union will not be broken.

Many think the South will drop out quietly. Lincoln's policy is
utterly unknown. Distance has dulled the echo of the hostile guns
fired at the STAR OF THE WEST by armed traitors, on January 9, at
Charleston.

Jefferson Davis's shadowy Confederacy of the same fatal date is
regarded as only a temporary menace to the Union. The great border
States are not yet in line.