EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBTexas CSA Senator W. Oldham, Printed Pamphlet, 1865
About Seller
6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States
With offices in Cincinnati, Cleveland and Denver, Cowan’s holds over 40 auctions each year, with annual sales exceeding $16M. We reach buyers around the globe, and take pride in our reputation for integrity, customer service and great results. A full-service house, Cowan’s Auctions specializes in Am...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
About Auction
LiveSep 8, 2017 - Sep 9, 2017
Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com
View Full Catalog (427)
- Lot Description
Printed pamphlet, Speech of Hon. W.S. Oldham, of Texas, On the Resolutions of the State of Texas, concerning Peace, Reconstruction and Independence. In the Confederate States Senate, January 30, 1865. 8vo, not bound, uncut, 13pp.
The speech concerns peace proposals attempted in late 1864 (possibly by "Copperheads" or "peace-Democrats," although Oldham does not "name names") and the resulting resolutions of the State of Texas (approved November 12). What comes through in this is that the Southern view of the war was very different from the Northern one, and a view that is not particularly emphasized in most history texts. According to Oldham:
'[T]he question of a reunion of those States with those of the Confederacy is being agitated, and, in order to promote such reunion, it is urged that delegates be chosen from each of the States in the Confederacy and in the Union, to meet in convention to reform the constitution of the United States, which proposition is coupled with the quasi pledge that such amendment shall be made to the constitution as will forever guarantee the institution of African slavery in the States in this Confederacy; ...
Resolution 1st: Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That neither the above proposition , nor any other, can be made to the people of this State, by the United States or any other foreign people, the Government of the Confederate States being the only organ of the States in the Confederacy, for the transaction of business with foreign nations'
Resolution 2d: That we recognize in that proposition no good faith, but merely an insidious policy to "divide and conquer;" a policy through which it is hoped to detach some of the States from the Confederacy, thereby to weaken and demoralize the rest.
Resolution 3d. That it will be well for the people of the North to understand, even at this late day, that the southern States did not secede from the Union upon any question such as the mere preservation of the slave property of their citizens. But, that being free and sovereign State, they were resolved to preserve their freedom and their sovereignty'
Oldham expresses some disdain that the Northerners think them so materialistic that their property was all that was at stake in the war.
Resolution 7th. We declare that we are earnestly desirous of peace, but we say no less distinctly that it must be coupled with our independence. And if the people of the United States be really disposed to terminate the war, they will best prove that disposition by making their propositions to the Government of the Confederate States, which alone can entertain it.
He goes on to indicate that the political party which apparently approached them was not the one which was successful in the election (Texas voted on these Resolutions before they knew the results of the election), but rather another party [Republicans], "The head of that party, their President, has declared again and again, that he will not treat with our Government, because he will thereby acknowledge that it is a Government, but that he will only treat with us as States in rebellion or individual insurgents. I venture the prediction that it is upon that point present efforts to negotiate will fail."
In the remainder of the speech, the suspicions of the Confederate states show through, as well as their optimism, or at least a very different point of view.
Sherman's march from Atlanta was actually a retreat; he could neither stay there nor return by the way he came. He availed himself of the only road of escape, on which there was no army to oppose him, and on which he could, with impunity, forage upon a country filled with supplies for the support of his army. By the capture of Savannah, he has been enabled to convert an actual retreat into a semblance of a march of victory and triumph...
It has recently been my duty, as Senators know, to look into the military resources of our country, and I unhesitatingly declare, that, they are ample to enable us to maintain ourselves indefinitely against any force the enemy can send against us. We have men, arms, ammunition, and provisions, and the means necessary to keep up the supply...
And he reminds the assembled representatives:
The third resolution asserts a fact, which our enemies seem not to understand, and many of us seem to have ignored. We are not engaged in a war for the preservation of slave property, but to preserve the freedom and sovereignty of the States, to maintain and vindicate our right of self-government in regard to our domestic affairs and local institutions. The slavery question, in the manner in which it stands in this contest between the North and the South, involves an issue vastly more important than any mere question of property. It involves the question of State sovereignty; the power of the Federal Government, to prescribe the domestic institutions of a State, as well as the constitutional power of that government, by arms, to coerce a State into obedience to its mandates...
We want no new constitutional guarantees. We were satisfied with the old constitution and its guarantees. It was the faithless disregard of those guarantees that caused us to separate from the people and States of the North. It was from them, and not from the constitution, that we seceded.
He then makes the point that the promises of the Constitution were broken by the Union. How could they be trusted to negotiate peace in good faith?
Condition
Scattered light foxing, else fine.
Damage to finial of each. One with several chips to rim.
Eliminate the Hassle of Third-Party Shippers: Let Cowan's Ship Directly To You! If you'd like a shipping estimate before the auction, contact Cowan's in-house shipping department at shipping@cowans.com or 513.871.1670 x426 - Shipping Info
-
SHIPPING. At the request of the buyer, Cowan's will authorize the shipment of purchased items. Shipments usually occur within two weeks after payment has been received. Shipment is generally made via UPS Ground service. Unless buyer gives special instructions, the shipping method shall be at the sole discretion of Cowan's Auctions, Inc.. Cowan's is in no way responsible for the acts or omissions of independent handlers, packers or shippers of purchased items or for any loss, damage or delay from the packing or shipping of any property.
Eliminate the Hassle of Third-Party Shippers: Let Cowan's Ship Directly To You!If you'd like a shipping estimate before the auction, contact Cowan's in-house shipping department at shipping@cowans.com or 513.871.1670 x219
-
- Buyer's Premium
