Fernando
Wood was
born in Philadelphia, on 14th June,
1812. He moved to New York City where
he became a successful merchant and real estate investor.
A member of the Democratic Partyand
the Tammany Society, he was elected to
Congress (1841-43) before becoming mayor of New
York City in 1854. Wood helped establish Central Park but his
administration was marked by widespread graft and crime. Defeated
in 1859 he returned to power in 1861.
Opposed to the American Civil War, Wood
suggested that New York City should also
leave the Union. Wood made several speeches attacking President Abraham
Lincoln and was blamed for causing the Draft
Riots in the city. Wood also joined with Clement
Vallandigham to form the Peace Democrats (Copperheads).
Unlike Vallandigham, Wood was never charged with treason.
Wood also served in the House of Representatives (1863-65 and 1867-1881)
where he was a staunch opponent of the Radical
Republications. Fernando Wood died at Hot Springs, Arkansas, on
14th February, 1881.
This cartoon appeared in Harper's
Weekly
showing Fernando Wood and
George
McClellan
during the 1864 presidential campaign (9th July, 1864)
(1)
Fernando Wood, speech made in New York City on 6th January, 1861.
With
the aggrieved brethren of the slave states we have friendly relations
and a common sympathy. We have not participated in the warfare upon
their constitutional rights or their domestic institutions. Our ships
have penetrated to every clime, and so have New York capital, energy,
and enterprise found their way to every state, and, indeed, to almost
every county and town of the American Union. If we have derived sustenance
from the Union, so have we in return disseminated blessings for the
common benefit of all. Therefore, New York has a right to expect,
and should endeavor to preserve, a continuance of uninterrupted intercourse
with every section.
Much, no doubt, can be said in favor of the justice and policy of
a separation. Why should not New York City, instead of supporting
by her contributions in revenue two-thirds of the expenses of the
United States become also equally independent? As a free city, with
but nominal duty on imports, her local government could be supported
without taxation upon her people. Thus we could live free from taxes
and have cheap goods nearly duty free. In this she would have the
whole and united support of the Southern states, as well as all the
other states to whose interests and rights under the Constitution
she has always been true.
Available from Amazon Books
(order below)
