[1][2] During the American Civil War, he called for increasingly harsh treatment against the southern states which had seceded from the Union, saying: "This rebellion cannot be put down by soft words and lenient measures.

[10][11] As the American Civil War wore on, Blair urged his colleagues in the federal government to eschew "soft words and lenient measures," and pressed them to adopt a harsher stance against the southern states that were deemed to be "in rebellion.

If this is not a part of our fixed policy, if we are not in solid earnest to this extent, not an hour should be lost before sending an ambassador to Richmond to close the war.

There was a time when it did appear as if—while the people were to be amused by movements leading to no decisive results—a subtile policy would, after long delay terminate hostilities by the jugglery of a compromise.

The gloomy apprehensions of such a disaster were fast seizing upon the public mind; but the recent successes of our arms, on many fields of heroic valor have lifted the burden from the heart of the nation, and set it once more on its way of promise and of hope.

For the losses of trade, of property of every kind taken, injured, or destroyed, there will be no recompense but in the lessons of wisdom they will teach; and when we see slavery gorged with the blood of the slain, and rioting in the havoc of war ... if the angels shall keep their vigils around about it, so that nothing in all the conflict shall do it harm, then must we, indeed, believe that it is a divine and sacred thing.

During the next major portion of his address, he then presented a lengthy discourse regarding the need for large-scale emancipation of the men, women and children who were still enslaved in the south, based on "the analogous belligerent right of confiscation of enemy's property," and advocated for passage of a new confiscation bill that would facilitate this emancipation before closing his oration with the following words:[15] "This rebellion cannot be put down with soft words and lenient measures.

They can cast less columbiads, build less steam-rams, and obtain less sugar to sweeten the bitter cup of treason, now that we have New Orleans; and when we have Richmond and Corinth, the back-bone of the rebellion will be broken.

A deed more rich in virtue, more fruitful in the approving of conscience, more blessed with the smiles of Almighty God, stands not on the records of this nation.

The providences of God are brought about through courses that are not always plain to mortal eye, and yet to them there is no "variableness of shadow of turning," and our path to-day lies by their side.