Ohio History Journal

Pre-Civil War Sentiment

Pre-Civil War Sentiment

from Belmont County:

Correspondence of

Hugh Anderson

edited by John Kent Folmar

Historians search continuously for primary documents which may expand

the portrait of the past. A basic source of this quest is contemporary letters,

particularly if they are written by literate observers during a time of local

or national stress. The Hugh Anderson letters are of this noteworthy

quality.1

Born in Ireland in 1782, Anderson immigrated to the United States in

1809. He became a citizen, was married, lived in Philadelphia for twenty-five

years, and was successfully engaged as a copper engraver. A large portion

of the plates of the American edition of the Edinburgh Encyclopedia were

engraved by him as well as many historical and Ohio county maps. In 1834

Anderson moved across the mountains to St. Clairsville, Belmont County,

Ohio, where he became "distinguished for minding his own business--

punctuality--and patient investigation." In addition to his engraving work,

he participated in local Democratic party politics, cultural affairs, and was

still active in his seventies when he wrote the following letters.²Since the

depression in 1858 was adversely affecting Anderson's business, his grandson

James M. Williams, who had recently moved to Augusta, Georgia, urged

the old man to join him--such was his enthusiasm for his new life in the

South. The correspondence between Anderson and young Williams did

not end until the secession crisis in January 1861.

It is apparent from this small collection that Anderson was well read

and very interested in the world around him. In these letters he relayed

the usual local and personal information, but his social and political com-

ments are of much greater value. He consistently admired the "Southern

way of life" and the institutions of the South. In a paternalistic manner,

reminiscent of John C. Calhoun, Anderson observed that the industrial

North had created a laboring class permanently and harshly bound to the

economic system. He insisted that slavery in the South was not only es-

NOTES ON PAGE 229

ANDERSON CORRESPONDENCE 203

sential, but that as an institution it was more beneficial than northern

"white slavery."

Anderson's political reasoning was very conservative, certainly Jefferson-

ian, and within a strict constructionist framework. In 1840 he had been

a Van Buren Democrat, and as one of the 250 members of the local county

vigilance committee he had opposed "the combined forces of federalism,

abolitionism, and the oppressive and irresponsible bankers and their

agents."³Still consistent with his earlier stand, as sectional issues inten-

sified, he explained to his grandson his sympathy with the pro-slavery,

Southern wing of the Democratic party and his objections to the abolitionist

Republican party. Because the Southern Democratic candidate, John C.

Breckinridge, received a larger percent of votes in Belmont County in the

election of 1860 than were cast in any other Ohio county, the political

attitudes expressed by Anderson seem to be indicative of the rather sub-

stantial pro-southern sentiment in the upper Ohio River Valley counties

prior to the Civil War.⁴

The Anderson collection also reflects the frustration and helplessness

of the citizenry during the national crises of 1860-1861. Anderson initially

predicted Lincoln's defeat but subsequently had to state that the "black

Republicans" would surely win. He wrote that disunion was unavoidable,

and that he favored secession if it could be accomplished peacefully, but

he was ambivalent concerning the possibility of war. In January 1861, he

commented that if war must come, the sooner the better, yet he was ap-

prehensive because of the proximity of Ohio to Virginia and the threat

of internecine warfare. Juxtaposed with these perplexing anxieties was a

keen resentment toward self-aggrandizing politicians who were responsible

for the weakening of national unity. In addition, Anderson argued that most

people favored sectional compromise and that Ohioans would not support

a war against the South. Within this frame of reference, he could not have

clearly foreseen the upheaval which was about to launch the nation into

a new era, but his analysis is nevertheless valuable.⁵

St. Clairsville Nov. 23-1858 [?]

James M. Williams

Dear Sir,

Yours of the 7th inst, was received in which you give a glowing

description of Augusta; if it was in my power to pull up stakes here

in an instant, I would do it, and be there immediately, but as times are

now a person could not give away property much less sell; . . . .

. . . I would have went this winter south if I could have collected

money that was due me. but money is a thing hard to be got hereabouts

at present--one half of the people cannot pay their taxes--and the tax is

more like a rent than a tax--the rail road subscription has to be paid off,

both principal and interest, during this and the following 3 years--which

nearly doubles the amount formerly paid--6

Hugh Anderson

204 OHIO HISTORY

St. Clairsville Jany. 10th-1859

James M. Williams

Dear Sir

Yours of Dec. 28th was received and it gave me great pleasure to

hear that you . . . were well, . . . This town so noted for its healthful-

ness, has been rather sickly for the last two months--a fever which

the doctors called a Typhoid fever became quite prevalent and carried off

a number of our citizens. . . . there were [over] 8 or 10 . . . deaths--

but it has subsided or rather disappeared since the frost set in as it is

now zero--previously the weather was cloudy and rainey with any amount

of mud and slush, and for 30 days the sun was seen but two or three

times--there was a Lady here at that time (teaching music) from New

Orleans she said that the Typhoid fever was more virulent than the

yellow fever and she dreaded it more. She could not be persuaded to stay a

day longer than the expiration of her engagement but hurried off to her

loved South.

Hugh Anderson

St. Clairsville May 2nd--1859

James M. Williams

Dear Sir,

The long time that has passed since I wrote to you requires an

apology or explanation. suffice it to say that I have had frequent attacks

of neuralgy and cough ever since I received your letter, which made me so

weak and relaxed that I had no inclination to write, and desired to be able

to tell you when I wrote that I was well--which is the case at pres-

ent . . . .⁷

For lack of news or anything interesting I will give you my opinion

as to the subject you mentioned in your last letter, namely the change

coming over your Northern proclivities by your residence in the South.⁸

My opinion is that the Southern institutions are better and less corrupt

than the northern. As a proof of this but look into the public prints

and you will find that there is a vast deal more crime in the North than in

the South, last winter there was 32 murders in one week in N. York city

and from a statement I saw in one of the papers there was not that

number of murders committed in all the southern states in a whole year--

Now as to the outcry of Southern slavery--the fact is--there is more

white slaves in the North than there are black ones in the South. When

we throw aside the mere word Slave and consider what constitutes

slavery-- Now I would define slavery thus, When a man is so situated

that he is forced to labour or starve, and when he does labor, must give

all over what he eats and wares [wears] to some power beyond his control,

he is then a slave--there are more than 3 million of such slaves in the

ANDERSON CORRESPONDENCE 205

northern states and crime is now rampant throughout the whole North--

even in our little town the last term of court which ended last week, there

were 5 sent to the penetentary and four more candidates remain in

jail till next term--more than was ever known here before--I think

I can give a reason for the increase of crime in the north more than the

south, but for want of time and room I will defer it to some other

time. . . .

Hugh Anderson

St. Clairsville Oct. 29, 1859

Mr. James M. Williams

Dear Sir:

Last spring Park[er] and Marth[a] & family [aunt and uncle]

went to the farm in the country. because it was too inconvenient to live

in town and go there to work and as he had much work on [his] hands

and hiring would not pay .&c. so that I have been living alone in town.

much of the time held very unpleasantly and painfully by what is called

an inflamation of the kidneys (a disease which is generally fatal to old

persons) I feel better of it now, but still fear it will become a chronic

disease.

On the 6th of last June we had a frost that killed nearly all

the wheat (then in blossom) in this and many counties of this state

besides all the early planted potatoes and other vegetables were destroyed

& the corn all had to be replanted. this brought on a panic on the farmers

and made the hard times still harder.--

My mind is unchanged as to the superiority of the southern

climate--over the frozen north and as to the slave question I do believe

that the Negro race are unfit for freedom--and I do think that to open

the slave trade and bring the slaves of the black masters of Africa here

would be a blessing to them and I go still farther and say that it would

confer a blessing on many whites to put them under good masters--what

is a good master but a guardian--. . . .

Yours &c

Hugh Anderson

St. Clairsville. Belmont Co. O[hio]

January 12--1860

Mr. James M. Williams

Dear Sir.

Yours of Dec. 29th was received and what you say in relation

to the state of Southern feeling is no more than I anticipated. Were I

206 OHIO HISTORY

a resident of the South with numbers of strong athletic slaves around

me, and but a few white people composing the family circle I should

feel the greatest resentment against all agitators and fanatics, who would

interfere in the least with my domestic safety and hapiness; and though

I live in the north in the atmosphere of antislavery proclivities, I can

sympathise with the South-- I think the north is imposing on the south

most shamefully by their eternal harping on that one string, that one

Idea--Antislavery-- In a word, my candid opinion is that a seperation

of the Union is unavoidable--but suppose the Southern members of Con-

gress were to leave their seats and all go home [;] that would be a bloodless

seperation of the union, because no law can be made without a quorum ....

the next question is, would that put this vexed question to rest? I think

not--I fear it would not--. I do expect that nothing less than a bloody do-

mestic war will be the consequence of this anti-slavery Agitation. I pray

Heaven to avert it--but if it does come my sympathies are with the south--

This sheet would not contain all that I have to say in explanation of my

feelings as above stated--but suffice it to say that being a naturalized

citizen, I have sworn to support the constitution of the union and that with

my full consent-- that constitution embraces the South as well as the

north, and it is my belief that the north are in the blame for the Constitu-

tion forbids any interference of one state with the institutions of an other

state--and it is a clear fact that the north are intermeddling with the

southern institutions--but of this enough-- I am cut loose from all party

trammels--and have placed myself on the dignity of human nature--above

the controul or dictation of sect or party--

So much for national affairs and now a word on home matters--

. . . I rented out the [town] house and took up my lone abode in the

Office, where I now am writing this to you--... I am getting the house

in which I kept my office repaired and fitted up--to let as a dwelling, it

will bring 60 or 70 dollars per year rent--all the property that I have in

town (3 houses) to let will not bring me over $150 per year-- I have at-

tempted to sell them but the times here are worse than ever known before--

so that there are few buyers and no money--⁹1/3 the value can not be got

for property here just now-- and a want of money caused by its being all

carried west to speculate in land &c--all these causes combine to make the

worst of hard times here--besides there is an attemp[t] made by one por-

tion of the citizens of this county to have the Court house removed [to

Bellaire] and it is believed by many that they will eventually succeed.¹⁰

and that is a damper to the sale of property here--so that the best thing I

can do is to rent what I have .... My health is better than it was last

summer--but I feel the weight of de[c]lining years increasing as they pass

away--....

What you call a base ball club is I suppose what we call a foot

ball [club]--it requires great agility ....

Hugh Anderson

ANDERSON CORRESPONDENCE 207

Farm near St. Clairsville Sep. 26--1860

Mr James M. Williams.

Dear Sir.

. . . Politics--is all the business here--as I told you before. I sympathise

with the south--but I doubt Lincoln will be elected.

My best regards.

Hugh Anderson

Farm near St. Clairsville Oct. 27--1860

James M. Williams

We are within a few days of the election and the only reason I have

for going to vote is merely to show the people of the south how many votes

in Ohio go for peace and the Union-- this state is hopelessly gone for black

republicanism--but I do believe that 1/3 of its inhabitants are with the

south in their feelings and sympathies--but I do not anticipate any such

thing as war.11 I believe there is too much good sense possessed by the

people of the United States to permit such a thing as a barberous domestic

war-my vote goes for Breckenridge--but it will be valueless, for Lincoln

will carry this state for certain; as the last election proves.12 so that I

would not trouble my self to vote at all but for the above mentioned reason

-but at all events let there be war or not, I do not believe that the unhappy

state of sectional strife that now exists can never be wholly removed with-

out a seperation of the Union--but if that must take place let it be a

bloodless one . . . .

The paper you were so good as to send me, comes regularly--and

I have no fault to find with its politiks--and it affords me pleasure to

read it--

With best regards.

Hugh Anderson

Farm near St. Clairsville Nov. 28--1860

James M. Williams.13

Dear Sir,

. . . We of the North are getting in a panick.14 the Wheeling [Virginia]

Banks have suspended [specie payments] and it is expected that all the

Banks will shortly follow their example, the anticipation of War is getting

common, and hard times stares us in the face-- Well if all the evils antici-

pated must come--I say the sooner the better-- were I a southerner I

would go for immediate secession, I do most firmly believe that the sec-

tional dislike that exists can never be reconciled in any other way than by

an entire seperation. I believe that our Northern fanatics are to blame--

and . . . if the South would all unite they could make a great and glorious

208 OHIO HISTORY

nation, they have the best territory in the union and the institution of

slavery is in my opinion an institution of Heaven superior intelect ever

does and of right should govern the inferior and it is certain that the blacks

are inferior: even here where the name slave is not used, we have

white slaves--men who have not intellect to direct their own energies

aright, live miserable and are in bondage to the laws of necessity--perfect

slaves--and are not our north western indians in a worse situation than

the southern blacks-- in fact a slave who has a good master, is like a

minor with a kind guardian he is more happy than if left to govern him-

self-- he is fed and clothed when age or infirmity unables him to labour--

and not left to suffer or perish in his old age as many of our northern

people are-- . . . my health is now tolerable good--

Yours with

Best regards

Hugh Anderson

Farm near St. Clairsville Jany. 18th 1861

Mr. James M. Williams

Dear Sir.

It is indeed a matter of regret that the U. S. union should be

disolved.¹⁵I blame the fanatics of the North, and regret that I am living

amongst them. My opinion is that war and blood-shed will follow, for

fanaticism was never known to submit to reason or justice, but the

Lincoln party is much in the minority¹⁶ and the South has many friends

in the North so many that I think they could whip the fanatics without aid

from the south the quakers and anti war men are all Lincolnites and

many of them very much averce to going into danger, so that I think

the South has little to fear. I do not know a man of the Brackenridge

party that could be forced to fight against the South, they all say that

if they are forced to go to the tented field it will be on the side of the

south they will go, . . . suffice it to say that my sympathies are for

the south--may the right prevail-- . . . .

Since I commenced this scrawl a telegraph message from a friend

in Washington City was reed in town stating that all hopes of concilia-

tion are gone, no compromise or agreement remains.17 The excitement

here is increasing--hard times getting harder--the expectation of war

becoming more serious and more near if Virginia secedes we are on

the beligerent line The Beautiful hills of Belmont may be drenched in

the blood of Brothers and friends, I pray Heaven to avert it, but if

it must come, now is perhaps as good a time as any if the evils of war

were to fall only on the guilty I would not care how soon they come--

My Best regards

Hugh Anderson¹⁸

ANDERSON CORRESPONDENCE 209

St. Clairsville Febu, 17, 1861

Dear Nephew

. . . I need not tell you that we have moved to the country and how we

live, Father I suppose has told you all, we like our new situation very well

and perhaps enjoy afull portion of human happiness by some improveing

we can soon have avery comfortable pleasant home--but if this home has

to be situated in the midst, governed by the laws, made by a set of red

mouthed abolitionists disunionists nigger elevators, nigger lovers of men

who make laws making my children only equal to be raised up educated

at the same school and associated with, a race perhaps two removes

from a babboon-it is then this home otherwise happy will speedily

be deserted-- I believe the north have been the first and only

agressors--and that it is too true to admit or argument,--if it

be treason, to act upon--nullify [and] make laws directly in violation

of the constitution of the united states, have not the north been guilty,

even [if] it should be called by the very modest name, of "personal liberty

bill"19--you must not think that we ar[e] all abolitionists--for even old

ohio as much as she has disgraced her union loveing citizens by her recent

acts--has over two hundred thousand that would stand firm and if needed

fight strong, for the constitution and against the black republicans,20 and

if it was submitted to the peopel of Ohio today the Cr[i]ttenden resolutions

would carry--²¹but our cowardly congress are afraid to relinquish their

grasp on the power they exultingly posess-- "what news?" is the anxious

inquiry here among neighabours,--and the fourth of march is looked for-

ward to with great anxiety--²²I must tell you as you are no doubt ac-

quainted with our neighbour here Jacob Berry, if you remember he is one

of our quiet church going praying good sensed citizens, I hailed him as he

was passing [and] asked him for the news he said he was told in Town

things looked more favourable-- I told him the fourth of March would

soon be here and if old Abe [Lincoln] was agoing to commence his work of

coertion [of the South] he would need great forces from the North--and

in the event that we were called upon to join his abolition army we would

be in rather a bad fix, the idea seemed to excite him and standing up

straight in his stirrups, whip hand raised high, said in a very unusual high

voice, "Parker Anderson if Lincoln raises an abolitionist army here to go

south--I will join an army, to kill ev[ery] d[a]m[ne]d one of them before

they leave the state"-- there is thousands of just such men in Ohio--

Lincoln could not raise much of an army in ohio--his friends are generally

quaker abolitionists [who are] not the material for an army--²³I mus[t]

close as I have promised space for Martha to write in this letter . . . .

Your affectionate uncle

Parker Anderson