"Or, as the New York Day Book translated that statement:
"In other words, though you do not recognize me as President, I shall not molest you if you will pay taxes for the support of my government. We must have your money, that we cannot bring ourselves to decline, and if you do not let us have it peacefully, why, we shall be compelled to take it from you by force; in which case you, not we, will be the aggressors. This means coercion and civil war and nothing else."
That is a gross mischaracterization, indeed a mockery of Lincoln's actual words:
"I therefore consider that in view of the Constitution and the laws, the Union is unbroken; and to the extent of my ability I shall take care, as the Constitution itself expressly enjoins upon me, that the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in all the States.
Doing this I deem to be only a simple duty on my part; and I shall perform it, so far as practicable, unless my rightful masters, the American people, shall withhold the requisite means, or in some authoritative manner, direct the contrary.
I trust this will not be regarded as a menace, but only as the declared purpose of the Union that will constitutionally defend and maintain itself.
"In doing this there needs to be no bloodshed or violence; and there shall be none, unless it be forced upon the national authority.
The power confided to me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects, there will be no invasion -- no using of force against or among the people anywhere.
Where hostility to the United States in any interior locality, shall be so great and so universal, as to prevent competent resident citizens from holding the Federal offices, there will be no attempt to force obnoxious strangers among the people for that object.
While the strict legal right may exist in the government to enforce the exercise of these offices, the attempt to do so would be so irritating, and so nearly impracticable with all, that I deem it better to forego, for the time, the uses of such offices.
"The mails, unless repelled, will continue to be furnished in all parts of the Union.
So far as possible, the people everywhere shall have that sense of perfect security which is most favorable to calm thought and reflection.
The course here indicated will be followed, unless current events and experience shall show a modification or change to be proper; and in every case and exigency my best discretion will be exercised according to circumstances actually existing, and with a view and a hope of a peaceful solution of the national troubles, and the restoration of fraternal sympathies and affections."
The choice here was the South's: to accept Lincoln's words at face value, and to work for a peaceful resolution; or to "take offense" and begin preparations for war. The South chose the latter.
Btw, should mention again: the South sent a number of envoys to Washington, DC, who met with President Buchanan & others. The envoys main concern, apparently, was the surrender of Fort Sumter, which President Buchanan on at least two occasions (Jan 13 & Feb 5) told them would not happen.
In March Confederate President Davis sent three more emissaries, which Lincoln ordered Secretary of State Seward not to receive. IIRC, Seward received them anyway, informally, but the result was the same as previous meetings: the South demanded Sumter's surrender, the North refused.
On the day before the South started firing on Fort Sumter, all its emissaries left Washington, DC.
Those words of the New York Day Book were a pretty accurate characterization of Lincoln's words, if you ask me. Lincoln's words were like a demand that he wants to sleep with your wife, and if you acquiesce to this, there won't be any trouble. And if there is trouble about it, you will be the aggressor.
A peaceable president would have recognized the South's right to secede.
On the day before the South started firing on Fort Sumter, all its emissaries left Washington, DC.
Yeah, as they left they called the promises the Lincoln Administration had made gross perfidy. From the New Orleans Daily Picayune of April 13, 1861:
Washington, April 11. -- The Southern Commissioners charge the Administration with gross perfidy in attempting to reinforce Fort Sumter under pretext of evacuation.
They say the Montgomery Government earnestly desires peace. They return convinced that war is inevitable, saying the responsibility rests on the Administration.
Let's see ...
- Lincoln's messenger Fox gets to visit Fort Sumter on the condition that his visit was peaceful. In the fort he plans its reinforcement.
- Lincoln's messenger Lamon tells Governor Pickens Fort Sumter would be evacuated.
- Seward misleads the Southern Commissioners about the evacuation of Fort Pickens.
- Lincoln plans his Sumter battlefleet in secret after telling the Senate the day before that he didn't have anything important to communicate with them so they could adjourn.
- Lincoln's advisors and generals told him Fox's plan would result for Sumter in a shooting war, yet he did it anyway.
- Governor Pickens told Lamon that they would not allow warships in Charleston harbor for any purpose, yet Lincoln sent them anyway.
- Lincoln sent instructions to reinforce Fort Pickens in violation of the agreement negotiated by the United States without alerting the other side, an act of war.
- The Powhatan attempts to enter Pensacola Harbor flying English colors.
- In July, Lincoln stonewalls Congress about his orders that violated the armistice at Fort Pickens. No copy of the secret orders survived.
- After the failure of Fox's Sumter mission, Lincoln consoles Fox by telling him "our anticipation is justified by the result." The result was war.
And yet they named a car after him. I think the Southern Commissioners were right.