over the country and hostilities began, the
North counted the Negro on the outside of the issue. The Federal
Government planted itself upon the policy of the "defence of the free
States,"--pursued a defensive rather than an offensive policy. And,
whenever the Negro was mentioned, the leaders of the political parties
and the Union army declared that it was "_a white mans war_."

The first call for three months' troops indicated that the authorities
at Washington felt confident that the "trouble" would not last long.
The call was issued on the 15th of April, 1861, and provided for the
raising of 75,000 troops. It was charged by the President that certain
States had been guilty of forming "combinations too powerful to be
suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings," and then
he proceeded to state:

"The details for this object will be immediately communicated to
the State authorities through the War Department. I appeal to all
loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to
maintain the honor, the integrity, and the existence of our
National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government, and to
redress wrongs already long enough endured. I deem it proper to
say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called
forth, will probably be to repossess the forts, places, and
property which have been seized from the Union; and in every
event the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the
objects aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of,
or interference with, property, or any disturbance of peaceful
citizens of any part of the country; and I hereby command the
persons composing the combinations aforesaid, to disperse and
retire peaceably to their respective abodes within twenty days
from this date."[75]

There was scarcely a city in the North, from New York to San
Francisco, whose Colored residents did not speedily offer their
services to the States to aid in suppressing the Rebellion. But
everywhere as promptly were their services declined. The Colored
people of the Northern States were patriotic and enthusiastic; but
their interest was declared insolence. And being often rebuked for
their loyalty, they subsided into silence to bide a change of public
sentiment.

The almost unanimous voice of the press and pulpit was against a
recognition of the Negro as the cause of the war. Like a ma