No. 8. Separation: War Without End.

Laboulaye, Edouard; McKaye, James; Loyal Publication Society

Published by Wm. C. Bryant & Co., Printers, 41 Nassau Street, Corner of Liberty, New York, 1862

About this Item

Original publisher's beige paper pamphlet. Text printed in black ink. Formerly bound together with other tracts. 5 1/2" x 8 1/2." Nineteen pages, complete. Pages are virtually pristine and intact except for light age toning, splitting and slight chipping along spine, and a small spot of insect residue on last leaf. A Very Good copy. This pamphlet is No. 8 in a series of pro-Union articles published by the Loyal Publication Society of New York. The Society was founded in early 1863 to help boost morale for the Union cause through the circulation of pro-Union pamphlets after the Union had suffered a series of defeats in the American Civil War. This pamphlet contains an essay by Edouard Laboulaye (1811-1883), a French politician, law professor, author, and abolitionist, and a printed letter by James McKaye to Parke Godwin. Laboulaye admired the United States Constitution and became a scholar of American democratic ideologies and philosophies. He was an ardent supporter of the Union during the Civil War and an anti-slavery activist. McKaye's letter briefly introduces Laboulaye and his work. He describes how Laboulaye became inspired by the writings of William Ellery Channing after procuring a book of his in Paris. McKaye commends Laboulaye for his studies and insights on American democratic ideals and recounts how he had declared that "the South alone is guilty." McKaye writes about the ongoing threat of the "dissolution of national unity" in the U.S. and quotes Laboulaye who had said that national disunity is an "irreparable degradation." McKaye decries how the Union is being threatened by the "arrogant demand of a few thousand slave-masters." Laboolaye's paper, "Disunion: Degradation Without Remedy," begins on Page 9. Laboulaye writes that the Civil War has negatively impacted both the U.S. and Europe. He says that the scarcity of cotton has led to poverty for many people in Europe. He says these people must rely on private charity or government aid. Laboulaye acknowledges that "the world today is a compact of mutual interests and obligations" but says that even if the solution to end the War is simple, implementing it is "almost impossible." He says that it is too costly for Europe to intervene and that it is more efficient for governments to provide aid to their own people. Laboulaye holds that the only thing that Europe can do is watch and hope that "exhaustion or suffering" compel the Union and Confederacy to cease fighting. He pointedly says that "public opinion in Europe has been led astray and taken a false direction. . The South has found numerous and skilful [sic] advocates in France and England." He commends the writings of Comte de Gasparin, a fellow politician and abolitionist. Laboulaye lambastes the Confederacy and pro-slavery advocates, "No Christian, no liberal thinker, can ever interest himself in men, who in the middle of the nineteenth century, openly and audaciously proclaim their wish to perpetuate and extend slavery." Laboulaye assails the Confederacy for mistakenly believing that Europe will help it win the War; he says that "this delusion . prolongs the war and our sufferings." He further denounces the South for using Europe as a pawn in its "political scheme" antithetical to liberty and "patriotism." Laboulaye commends the Unionists for their "love of country" and criticizes his fellow citizens for not being moved by such patriotism. He argues that the Confederate cause is unwarranted as it is forwarded by "communities of planters . without any other reason than their own ambition." He also points out how the Union made it possible for the Southern states to exist. He concludes the North only "defends herself" and that the South has a "fear of liberty." He says disunity would cause a "war without end and miseries without number." He posits that even if the South were to win, this would only allow Europe to reclaim it. He says a weakened Union weakens Europe.

Seller Inventory # 026565

Bibliographic Details

• Title: No. 8. Separation: War Without End.
• Publisher: Wm. C. Bryant & Co., Printers, 41 Nassau Street, Corner of Liberty, New York
• Publication Date: 1862
• Language: English
• Binding: No Binding
• Condition: Very Good
• Seller catalogs:
  • U.S. History
  • Foreign Lands
  • Civil War