488 
JAMES CLARKE WELLING. 
esting to note that many of his articles, in spirit contrary 
to popular opinion, were in so far prophetic that subsequent 
events placed upon them the seal of verification. Among 
these may be mentioned a discussion of the Monroe doc¬ 
trine, the principles of international law involved in the 
seizure of Mason and Slidell, and the constitutionality of 
military commissions for the trial of citizens in loyal States. 
AlthouglVbound to the South b}^ the closest ties, he resisted 
with all the strength at his command the movement toward 
disunion. On the other hand, he questioned the validity of 
the Emancipation Proclamation, but advocated Lincoln’s 
proposal to free the slaves with compensation to loyal owners. 
Because of his connection with a Virginia family, he found 
as congenial friends many of the Southern sympathizers 
living in Washington, prominent among whom was Mr. Cor¬ 
coran. As a far-seeing, conscientious writer, it was not easy 
task to discuss the burning questions then at issue, and more 
than once did the views he expressed awaken feelings of re¬ 
gret, if not resentment, in the hearts of some of his friends. 
Fortunately, in the large majority of cases the ultimate vindi¬ 
cation of his opinions strengthened these tested friendships, 
and, although Mr. Corcoran confessed to having frequently 
wept over the editorials of Mr. Welling, they afterwards 
became the firmest friends, and the latter in many ways felt 
the loyal devotion of the former. 
It is hardly safe to say that the “ Intelligencer ” dictated 
to the Government any definite policies, but it is known, to 
a few at least, that the President on more than one occasion 
saw fit to solicit an interview with Mr. Welling before he pre¬ 
pared his editorial comments on a declared line of action. 
Just what form these interviews took and who was the con¬ 
vincing person is not known, for of such marked distinction 
it was not Mr. Welling’s wont to boast. 
After nearly fifteen years’ connection with the “ Intelli¬ 
gencer” he withdrew from journalism and sought rest in 
foreign travel. Upon his return in 1866 he was appointed 
clerk of the United States Court of Claims, a position which 
