have found a candidate for the presidency whom we can look up to, for we have been informed that there were only little giants in Illinois." It was an allusion by Mr. Kelley to Stephen A. Douglas, who was called the "little giant" by his admirers.

The nomination of Mr. Lincoln was received with ridicule by the Southern newspapers, the editors of which delighted to call him an ape, a baboon, an ignoramus, an abolitionist; and the party which had nominated him was stigmatized as the Black Republican party. The editors

informed their readers that the Republican party was in favor not only of abolishing slavery by act of Congress, but also was in favor of promiscuous marriage between white people and negroes, thus increasing the bitterness of the South towards the North.

Many Northern men had settled in the South, some as merchants, others as mechanics, who ran locomotives, who built and repaired machinery. Slavery did not produce skilled mechanics, nor did it educate the people. Nearly all the school-teachers in the Southern States were from the North. There were few common schools. The secessionists of Charleston, South Carolina, found fault with the school board of that city for employing

teachers educated in the North. This was the excuse of the board: "We have looked through the South, searching through the colleges and academies in vain. The teacher's profession, unhappily, seems but little appreciated in the South." Only the sons and daughters of rich men in the South obtained an education. A very large proportion of the poor white people were unable to read or write. It was the legitimate outcome of the institution of slavery.

People from the Northern States, even those who had lived in the South many years, were regarded with suspicion and closely watched. Vigilance committees were formed to look after Northern men. A period of espionage began. William H. Crawford, living at Fort Worth, Texas, was suspected of being opposed to slavery, and was hung by a mob set on by the vigilance committee. They brought his body to his griefstricken wife, then organized a meeting, and chose a committee to hunt up all suspicious persons in the county. More than two hundred persons were compelled to leave that region-some were whipped, others tarred and feathered. In several of the Southern States laws were passed which compelled all free negroes to leave the State or be sold into slavery. The steamboats of the Mississippi were thronged with negroes thus driven out. More than two hundred thousand free men were made liable to be sold by these inhuman laws. Slavery could not tolerate freedom in any form. There must be no free negroes to make the slaves discontented. Free speech must not be permitted. White men must not discuss the question of slavery. They must remain silent or leave the country. The vigilance committees opened mail-bags and assumed the right to read private letters. The spirit of slavery was inhuman, robbing men, hanging them or driving them from their homes. Thus said the Richmond Whig:

"A large amount of violence has been developed since the secession movement began, more than in the whole previous history of the State. There has been an intolerance of spirit never before known. It is on the increase, and bodes no good to law and order."

During the summer and fall of 1860 John B. Floyd, of Virginia, Secretary of War, was doing what he could to prepare the Southern States for war. He sent one hundred and thirty-five thousand muskets from Northern to Southern arsenals. "We are much obliged," said the Mobile Advertiser, "to Secretary Floyd for the foresight he has displayed in disarming the North and equipping the South in this emergency."

The United States army numbered only twelve thousand men. Most of the troops were in Texas, California, and Oregon, so far away that when.

the plans of the conspirators were ripe, they could carry them out without molestation.

The Secretary of the Navy, though from Connecticut, allowed himself to be used by the secessionists. There were ninety vessels in the navy, carrying two thousand four hundred and ninety-five guns. He sent five vessels to the East Indies, three to Brazil, seven to the Pacific coast, three to the Mediterranean, seven to the coast of Africa. Twenty-five were dismantled and unfit for service. Of the entire navy, the steamer Brooklyn, twenty-five guns, and the store-ship Relief were the only ones fit for service on the Atlantic coast.

The dissolution of the Union was brought about by a few men. We can count them on our fingers. The leaders were: Francis W. Pickens, William H. Gist, James H. Hammond, Robert Barnwell Rhett, Charles G. Memminger, Lawrence M. Keitt, James L. Orr, of South Carolina; Jefferson Davis, Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi; John B. Floyd, James M. Mason, Robert M. T. Hunter, John Tyler, Henry A. Wise, John Seddon, of Virginia; Robert Toombs, Howell Cobb, of Georgia; William L. Yancy, of Alabama; Judah P. Benjamin, John Slidell, of Louisiana; Louis Wigfall, of Texas; Stephen R. Mallory, of Florida. They announced their intention of dissolving the Union in case Mr. Lincoln should be elected President.

"If Abraham Lincoln is elected," said Henry A. Wise, "I will not stay in the Union one hour. Rather than submit to Republican rule, I would fight to the last drop of blood to resist its fanatical oppression. Our minds are made up. The South will not wait till the 4th of March, but we will be well under arms before then."

"South Carolina will shatter this accursed Union. She will throw her arms around the pillars of the Constitution, and involve all the States in a common ruin," said Lawrence M. Keitt, with confused and florid rhetoric.

There was great rejoicing in Charleston on the evening of election-day, November 6, 1860, when it was known that Mr. Lincoln was chosen. few days later the legislature of South Carolina called a convention to act upon the question of seceding from the Union. Notices of the formation of military companies appeared in the newspapers. The drum-beat was heard in every village. The Charleston Mercury flung out a transparency from its windows with this inscription: "One voice and a million of strong arins to uphold the honor of South Carolina."

The Stars and Stripes became a hateful banner. Orators made inflammatory speeches against the Union, and at the same time set forth the glorious future that awaited the Palmetto State. She was to be the leader in