3/22/1861 The economic editor of the New York Times said, “At once shut down every Southern port, destroy its commerce, and bring utter ruin on the Confederate States.”
Sounds like calling for war to me. How about you?
THAT just left a mark. To BroJoeK, that NYT economic editor was only joking. To Diogenes' point that this war was in large part an issue over economic factors, WHICH "editor" wrote this ed-op? AN ECONOMIC EDITOR.
BJK misses EVERYTHING but his stock "history" of myths and fairy tales. I'm waiting for his post where northern "historians" claimed, "Lee would have nuked Washington DC IF he had one."
3/27/1861 The Cincinnati Enquirer as reported in the Memphis Daily Appeal of March 27, 1861:
"The New York and all Eastern Republicans are getting clamorous for an extra session. They now admit that, critical and extraordinary as the condition of the country is, the President is without power to take any effectual step toward its relief. He can effect no fixed and decisive policy toward the seceding States, because no laws give him authority to carry it into effect."
"He cannot enforce the laws, because no power has been put at his command for that purpose. He cannot close the ports which refuse to pay Federal duties, nor has he the authority to enforce payment except through the local authorities.
"These, moreover, are the least of the difficulties which embarrass the action of the Government. This loan is called for, but there is no prospect of revenue to render it safe.(The loan referred to was called by the Treasury Secretary to pay the monthly bills of the government.) The seceded States invite imports under the tariff of 1857, at least ten per cent. lower than that which the Federal Government has just adopted.
"As a matter of course, foreign trade will seek southern ports, because it will be driven there by the Morrill tariff. It has been stated that Secretary Chase has been heard to say that the tariff bill must be repealed.
Hardly, see my post #776 above.
To summarize, I can't defend the New York Times except on that rare occasions when they stumble on the truth.
In this particular case, the quote seems out of context, and I would imagine it preceded by words like: "if the Confederacy starts war, then...".