Chapter 323: Chapter 10: Holding Back
Facts have proven that people all fear death, in the face of bayonets, the great figures who originally leaned toward the Southern Government all compromised, and the Federal Government carried out military control over Maryland.

These were all prominent figures, and while Lincoln could detain them temporarily, he could not do so forever. After incorporating the Maryland militia, the Federal Government had no choice but to release them.

It was an era when communication was not convenient, and while taking over Maryland, Lincoln also ordered the takeover of the telegraph system used for external communication.

Otherwise, news would have reached the northern states and caused an uproar. It’s quite possible that motions to impeach the president would have entered Congress.

The Southern sympathizer and leader in Maryland, Dekra, left the grievous place with a gloomy face. Conceding to the Federal Government under the threat of bayonets was a complete insult to him.

In this era, morals had not completely deteriorated, and these significant figures still cared about their reputations. Forced compromises had to be kept to themselves for the sake of their standing.

Dekra was not a reckless man, and he was well aware that now was not the time for revenge, as agents of the Federal Government were closely watching their every move.

If it were under normal circumstances, he naturally would not fear the Federal Government, which could not touch him within a system of rules. But the situation was different with a president who disregarded the rules.

After returning home, Dekra did not take immediate action. Instead, he calmly thought about who were allies and who were enemies.

The housekeeper’s voice rang out, unassuming and dignified: “Mr. Dekra, Mr. Edward, and Mr. Pierro have come to visit.”

These two were Dekra’s friends and part-time comrades in arms, top ten plantation owners in Maryland, and just like him, disheartened figures at the banquet.

Dekra casually said, “Let them in.”

“Yes!” the housekeeper replied.

They were all old friends, so there was no need for too much politeness. If not for the sake of etiquette, even announcing their visit could be dispensed with.

Because of the disdain from the European nobility, who labeled them as nouveaux riches and ignorant of manners, the wealthy in America paid great attention to etiquette in their daily lives.

Being looked down upon by the European nobility was one thing, but the Americans of that era couldn’t be too proud. However, they certainly wouldn’t tolerate contempt from their fellow country bumpkins, which is why Dekra’s estate was an exact replica of British nobility style.

The housekeeper and servants were all specially trained and were no less refined than any minor European nobility.

In an instant, the housekeeper ushered in the visitors.

Dekra asked, “My friends, what would you like to drink?”

Pierro interrupted, “Dekra, you still have the leisure to drink coffee here. That madman Lincoln is defecating on our heads; if we don’t teach him a lesson, how can we go on mixing in society?”

Pierro’s words instantly shattered the atmosphere. Dekra could not bother with etiquette any longer — after all, he wasn’t nobility.

Imitating them occasionally was one thing, but to maintain unflinching composure under the pressure of Mount Washington required a deep foundation.

Dekra directly retorted, “What do you want to do, send someone to kill him?

Now the Federal Government is watching us closely, looking for any little missteps of ours; one misstep and we could end up endangering ourselves.”

With a dark face, Pierro answered, “Of course not, I’m not that foolish. Even if we wanted to kill him, now is not the time.

But we can’t just do nothing, right? Now the armed forces we had are taken over by the Federal Government; we can’t even join the Southern Government if we wanted to.”

Having said this, Pierro began to feel some regret. Had he known that the Federal Government would dare to break the rules, they should have been more resolute at the time of voting.

Now the Northern Government was a playground for capitalists, and these plantation owners had too little say in the government. A president was even daring to use bayonets to force them to compromise.

Dekra said unhurriedly, “What’s the rush, there are many who are dissatisfied with him. Throughout history, those who break the rules, how many of them end well?

This matter will undoubtedly make those capitalists who support the Federal Government also feel uneasy. A president bold enough to brandish a knife at everyone is doomed not to last long.”

That was the truth; since its very inception, America was a world dominated by big capitalists, plantation owners, and large-scale farmers.

Now that various factions had united and fallen out over interests, and the rulers had become capitalist consortiums, no matter the changes, these people didn’t want a president who dared to turn on them.

Today Lincoln is threatening Maryland, who can guarantee that tomorrow he won’t use the same methods against other states?

Edward, with concern, asked, “Dekra, are you planning to join the capitalists to impeach the president?”

Dekra shook his head, “It’s not that easy; that scoundrel Lincoln is the spokesperson of capitalist interests they put forward, and now he’s also maintaining national unity.

Just based on this one incident, it’s still difficult to take him down. Besides, I’m sure neither of you want to expose such a scandal to the American public, do you?”

“This is the most realistic issue – as long as their interests are secured, the capitalists won’t care if the President has overstepped his boundaries.”

“Even if they wanted to cause trouble, now isn’t the time. At least not until the Civil War ends. It would be imprudent to hastily replace the President.”

Edward thought for a moment and said, “Indeed, even though I dislike him intensely, I must admit that from a national standpoint, he truly is maintaining the unity of the country.”

“The capitalists don’t want to give up the Southern market and the cheap industrial raw materials, so they won’t discard Lincoln, the useful pawn, in the short term.”

“However, from our standpoint, this is not good news. If we don’t bring him down, it’ll be hard for us to establish ourselves in this circle.”

Dekra sneered, “Then why not let him lose this war? A president who sparked a civil war and caused the division of the United States will be despised for centuries.”

“Turning him into a universally loathed loser is the best revenge. If you don’t want to see him in power, we can even send someone to escort him on his way out when the time comes.”

Victory makes a king; defeat, a convict. The end for a rule-breaker who fails is naturally tragic.

Whether for profit or for face, they all need to pull the rug out from under the Federal government.”

Pierro asked with concern, “What are your plans?”

Dekra replied somewhat awkwardly, “This has just started, and you’ve all come running.”

“But I already have a preliminary idea. Directly confronting the Federal government is unwise. It’s much simpler to trip them up in secret.”

“Right now, there’s no one in Maryland who doesn’t hate Lincoln. On this issue, we can unite with the capitalists.”

“For example, we could have the State Congress pass a law declaring him the most unwelcome person, barring his entry as President.”

“Prompt Maryland officials to fully utilize their forte, letting the Federal government experience what bureaucratic inefficacy is like.”

“When the Federal government calls citizens to enlist, we make sure those who want to join can’t, inserting thugs and riffraff into the military who don’t want to be there.”

“Lincoln abolished the Writ of Habeas Corpus, didn’t he? Well, we will insist on enforcing it anyway. If he dares, let the Federal government come and enforce the law themselves.”

“Next, we’ll rouse our congressmen to trouble him, opposing anything he supports.”

“At any opportunity, we’ll impeach the President. We can’t hit him now, but making him sick to his stomach is gratifying enough for the moment.”

“The subsequent matters we’ll have to handle ourselves; the capitalists won’t side with the Southern Government just because they dislike Lincoln.”

“For instance, we can provide cover, leading young supporters of the Southern Government to join their army;”

“Smuggle goods secretly and trade with the Southern Government — that could involve the capitalists too;”

“…”

Undoubtedly, Dekra’s skill at sabotage was professional. Dragging Maryland’s high society into making trouble for the Federal government, even if the actions became public, the Federal government would be helpless against them.

States taking action against the Federal government is something that’s happened far too often in the United States. More often than not, the Federal government ends up humiliated.”

Yet none of these actions cross the line; as long as they do not personally take to the field to aid the Southern Government, it’s not really an issue.”

As for smuggling, any capitalist with the means has been involved. For the sake of profit, there’s nothing they won’t dare to do.”

Historically, after the Southern Government was blockaded, a large part of their arms and ammunition was contributed by Northern capitalists; otherwise, the Southern Government couldn’t have held out for so long.”

Edward sighed and said, “Dekra, how are we to explain this to our friends in the South? We had promised them that Maryland would stay with the Federal government for the time being, to support their attack on Washington.”

Dekra answered calmly, “They will understand our difficulties; nobody expected to encounter a leader unconstrained by rules. We are equally striving for the independence of the South.”

“The most formidable fortress is always breached from within. Now, by creating chaos for the Federal government from the inside, we trust the impact in the end will be no less than if we directly joined the war.”

Facing a group of non-violent, non-cooperative saboteurs, the Federal government is completely powerless. State rights in the United States are substantial, and state governments are elected, not appointed by the Central Government.

For local government officials, offending the President doesn’t matter, nor does crossing the Federal government. After all, none of these people can either fire them or promote them.”

But they cannot afford to offend the local power players; these capitalists, plantation owners control the local votes, and their stance equates to the standpoint of the American people.”

Every policy requires execution, and once the local government starts playing bureaucratic games, the Federal government is powerless.”

Militarizing localities is easy in theory, but without local heavyweights’ cooperation, it’s challenging in practice. Maryland at that time was not small, and without an army of a hundred thousand, it simply couldn’t be done.