At the same time there was an extensive shifting of positions.  A good many men of prominence and wealth, who had been leaning over towards the South, suddenly straightened up, and not a few of them showed a strong inclination the other way.  Some of the evolutions they executed were amusing.  One of the first to discuss with the writer the Union defeat at Bull Run was a former United States Government official.  He was tremendously excited and correspondingly exultant.  After describing how the Southerners had vanquished the Government’s men, and particularly how the South Carolina “black horse” had ridden them down in deadly slaughter, he cried out, “That’s the way we will give it to you fellows all the time.”

Not very long afterwards General Grant, having entered Tennessee, and captured Fort Donelson, and many prisoners, was about to visit St. Louis, and the leading Unionists there decided to give him a grand reception and an elaborate dinner.  Money had to be raised, and among those I met who were soliciting it was my ex-Government-official friend.  He was fully as happy as he had been before, when the Fort Donelson affair was alluded to.  “Didn’t we give it to those fellows down there?” he exclaimed.

Out in western Missouri was a young lawyer of great ambition and considerable promise.  He was afterwards a member of Congress.  Like a good many others he was at first puzzled to know what course to take.  In his dilemma he concluded to consult an old politician in that section who was much famed for his sagacity, and who bore the military title of General.

“If you contemplate remaining in Missouri,” said the older man to the junior, “you should take the Southern side.  Missouri is a slave State and a Southern State, and she will naturally go with her section.”

The young man availed himself of an opportunity to make a public address, in which he aligned himself in the strongest terms with those who had gone into rebellion.  But scarcely had this been done when Lincoln issued his first call for troops, and among those nominated to command them was the old Missouri General.  It was announced that he had accepted the appointment.  The younger man was amazed.  He went in hot haste for an explanation.

“It’s all true,” said the General.  “The fact is, when I talked with you before, I did not think the Northern people would fight for the Union, but I now see that I was mistaken; and when the Northern people, being the stronger and richer, do decide to go to war, they are almost certain to win.  You had better take the Northern side.”

“But it is too late,” said the youngster.  “I have committed myself in that speech I made.”

“Oh! as for that matter,” was the reply, “it’s of very little consequence if you have committed yourself.  It’s easy to make a speech on the other side and take the first one back.  Nobody looks for consistency in times like these.”