throughout were characterized by great vote being 1,866,452; electoral vote, 180. harmony, though there was a somewhat Douglas was next in the popular estimate, sharp contest for the Presidential nomina- receiving 1,375,157 votes, with but 12 election. The prominent candidates were Wm. tors. Breckinridge had 847,953 votes, with H. Seward, of New York; Abraham Lin-76 electors; Bell, with 570,631 votes, had coln, of Illinois, Salmon P Chase, of 39 electors. Ohio; Simon Cameron, of Pennsylvania, The principles involved in the controand Edward Bates, of Missouri. There versy are given at length in the Book of were three ballots, Mr. Lincoln receiving Platforms, and were briefly these: The in the last 354 out of 446 votes. Mr. Sew- Republican party asserted that slavery ard led the vote at the beginning, but he should not be extended to the territories; was strongly opposed by gentlemen in his that it could exist only by virtue of local own State as prominent as Horace Greeley and positive law; that freedom was naand Thurlow Weed, and his nomination tional; that slavery was morally wrong, was thought to be inexpedient. Lincoln's and the nation should at least anticipate successful debate with Douglas was still its gradual extinction. The Douglas wing fresh in the minds of the delegates, and of the Democratic party adhered to the every addition to his vote so heightened doctrine of popular sovereignty, and the enthusiasm that the convention was claimed that in its exercise in the terrifinally carried "off its feet," the delegations tories they were indifferent whether slavery rapidly changing on the last ballot. Lin- was voted up or down. The Breckinridge coln had been a known candidate but a wing of the Democratic party asserted both month or two before, while Seward's name the moral and legal right to hold slaves, had been everywhere canvassed, and where and to carry them to the territories, and opposed in the Eastern and Middle States, that no power save the national constitu-. it was mainly because of the belief that his tion could prohibit or interfere with it outviews on slavery were too radical. He was side of State lines. The Americans supmore strongly favored by the Abolition porting Bell, adhered to their peculiar branch of the party than any other candi-doctrines touching emigration and naturaldidate. When the news of his success was ization, but had abandoned, in most of the first conveyed to Mr. Lincoln he was sit-States, the secrecy and oaths of the Knowting in the office of the State Journal, at Springfield, which was connected by a telegraph wire with the Wigwam. On the close of the third ballot a despatch was handed Mr. Lincoln. He read it in silence, Secession, up to this time, had not been and then announcing the result said: regarded as treasonable in all sections and "There is a little woman down at our at all times. As shown in many previous house would like to hear this-I'll go down pages, it had been threatened by the Hartand tell her," and he started amid the ford Convention; certainly by some of the shouts of personal admirers. Hannibal people of New England who opposed the Hamlin, of Maine, was nominated for Vice-war of 1812. Some of the more extreme President with much unanimity, and the Chicago Convention closed its work in a single day.

A

The American Convention.

Nothing order. They were evasive and non-committal on the slavery question.

Preparing for Secession.

Abolitionists had favored a division of the sections. The South, particularly the Gulf States, had encouraged a secret organization, known as the "Order of the Lone Star," previous to and at the time of the Constitutional Union," really an annexation of Texas. One of its objects American Convention, had met at Balti-was to acquire Cuba, so as to extend slave more on the 9th of May. Twenty States territory The Gulf States needed more were represented, and John Bell, of Ten-slaves, and though the law made particinessee, and Elward Everett, of Massachu-pancy in the slave trade piracy, many carsetts, were named for the Presidency and goes had been landed in parts of the Gulf Vice-Presidency, Their friends, though without protest or prosecution, just prior known to be less in number than either those to the election of 1860. Calhoun had of Douglas, Lincoln or Breckinridge, yet threatened, thirty years before, nullificamade a vigorous canvass in the hope that tion, and before that again, secession in the election would be thrown into the the event of the passage of the Public House, and that there a compromise in the Land Bill. Jefferson and Madison had vote by States would naturally turn toward indicated that doctrine of State Rights on their candidates. The result of the great which secession was based in the Kentucky contest is elsewhere given in our Tabulated and Virginia resolutions of 1798, facts History of Politics. which were daily discussed by the people of the South during this most exciting of all Presidential campaigns.

THE PRINCIPLES INVOLVED. Lincoln received large majorities in nearly all of the free States, his popular

The leaders in the South had anticipated defeat at the election, and many of them

made early preparations for the withdrawal by the good people of South Carolina," of

of their States from the Union. Some of the more extreme anti-slavery men of the North, noting these preparations, for a time favored a plan of letting the South go in peace. South Carolina was the first to adopt a secession ordinance, and before it did so, Horace Greeley said in the New York Tribune :

the Ordinance of May 23d, 1788, and "the dissolution of the union between the State of South Carolina and other States under the name of the United States of America," and proclaiming to the world "that the State of South Carolina is, as she has a right to be, a separate, sovereign, free and independent State, and, as such, has a If the Declaration of Independence right to levy war, conclude peace, negotiate justified the secession from the British treaties, leagues, or covenants, and to do Empire of three millions of colonists in all acts whatsoever that rightfully apper1776, we can not see why it would not jus-tain to a free and independent State. tify the secession of five millions of South- Done in the eighty-fifth year of the sovereignty and independence of South

rons from the Federal Union in 1861."

Jan. 3d, 1861. South Carolina Commissioners left Washington.

4th. Convention appointed T. J. Withers, L. M. Keitt, W W. Boyce, Jas. Chestnut, Jr., R. B. Rhett, Jr., R. W Barnwell, and C. G. Memminger, delegates to Southern Congress.

These views, however, soon fell into dis- | Carolina." favor throughout the North, and the period of indecision on either side ceased when Fort Sumter was fired upon. The Gulf States openly made their preparations as soon as the result of the Presidential election was known, as a rule pursuant to a previous understanding. The following, condensed from Hon. Edward McPhersons" Political History of the United States of America during the Great Rebellion," is a correct statement of the movements which followed, in the several Southern States:

SOUTH CAROLINA.

5th. Convention adjourned, subject to the call of the Governor.

14th. Legislature declared that any attempt to reinforce Fort Sumter would be considered an open act of hostility and a declaration of war. Approved the Governor's action in firing on the Star of the West. Accepted the services of the Cataw ba Indians.

27th. Received Judge Robertson, Commissioner from Virginia, but rejected the proposition for a conference and co-oper

March 26th. Convention met in Charles

November 5th, 1860. Legislature met to choose Presidential electors, who voted for Breckinridge and Lane for President and Vice President. Gov. William H. Gist recommended in his message that inative action. the event of Abraham Lincoln's election to the Presidency, a convention of the people of the State be immediately called to consider and determine for themselves the mode and measure of redress. He expressed the opinion that the only alternative left is the "secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union."

7th. United States officials resigned at Charleston.

10th. U. S. Senators James H. Hammond and James Chestnut, Jr., resigned their seats in the Senate. Convention called to meet Dec. 17th. Delegates to be elected Dec. 6th.

13th. Collection of debts due to citizens of non-slaveholding States stayed. Francis W Pickens elected Governor. 17th. Ordinance of Secession adopted unanimously.

21st. Commissioners appointed (Barnwell, Adams, and Orr) to proceed to Washington to treat for the possession of U. S. Government property within the limits of South Carolina. Commissioners appointed to the other slaveholding States. Southern Congress proposed.

24th. Representatives in Congress withdrew.

Gov. Pickens issued a proclamation announcing the repeal, Dec. 20th, 1860,

ton.

April 3d. Ratified "Confederate" Constitution-yeas 114, nays 16. 8th. Transferred forts, etc., to "Confederate" government.

GEORGIA.

November 8th, 1860. Legislature met pursuant to previous arrangement.

18th. Convention called. Legislature appropriated $1,000,000 to arm the State. Dec. 3d. Resolutions adopted in the Legislature proposing a conference of the Southern States at Atlanta, Feb. 20th.

January 17th, 1861. Convention met. Received Commissioners from South Carolina and Alabama

18th. Resolutions declaring it the right and duty of Georgia to secede, adoptedyeas 165, nays 130.

19th. Ordinance of Secession passedyeas 208, nays 89.

21st. Senators and Representatives in Congress withdrew.

24th. Elected Delegates to Southern Congress at Montgomery, Alabama. 28th. Elected Commissioners to other Slaveholding States.

29th. Adopted an address "to the South and the world."

March 7th. Convention reassembled. 16th. Ratified the "Confederate" Constitution-yeas 96, nays 5.

20th. Ordinance passed authorizing the "Confederate" government to occupy, use and possess the forts, navy yards, arsenals, and custom houses within the limits of said State.

April 26th. Governor Brown issued a proclamation ordering the repudiation by the citizens of Georgia of all debts due Northern men.

MISSISSIPPI.

between Federal troops and those in the employ of Florida, the act of holding office under the Federal government shall be declared treason, and the person convicted shall suffer death. Transferred control of government property captured, to the "Confederate" government.

LOUISIANA.

December 10th, 1860. Legislature met. 11th. Convention called for Jan. 23d. Military bill passed.

12th. Commissioners from Mississippi received and heard. Governor instructed to November 26th, 1860. Legislature met communicate with Governors of other Nov. 26th, and adjourned Nov. 30th. Elec-southern States.

sioners from South Carolina and Alabama.

tion for Convention fixed for Dec. 20th. Jan 23d, 1861. Convention met and Convention to meet Jan 7th. Convention organized. Received and heard Commisbills and secession resolutions passed unanimously. Commissioners appointed to other Slaveholding States to secure "their cooperation in effecting measures for their common defence and safety."

25th. Ordinance of Secession passedyeas 113, nays 17 Convention refused to submit the ordinance to the people by a vote of 84 to 45. This was subsequently Jan. 7th, 1861. Convention assembled. reconsidered, and the ordinance was sub9th. Ordinance of Secession passed-mitted. The vote upon it as declared was yeas 84, nays 15. 20,448 in favor, and 17,296 against.

In the ordinance the people of the State of Mississippi express their consent to form a federal union with such of the States as have seceded or may secede from the Union of the United States of America, upon the basis of the present Constitution of the United States, except such parts thereof as embrace other portions than such seceding States.

10th. Commissioners from other States received. Resolutions adopted, recognizing South Carolina as sovereign and independent.

Jan. 12th. Representatives in Congress withdrew.

19th. The committee on the Confederacy in the Legislature reported resolutions to provide for a Southern Confederacy, and to establish a provisional government for seceding States and States hereafter seceding.

21st. Senators in Congress withdrew. March 30th. Ratified "Confederate" Constitution-yeas 78, nays 7.

FLORIDA.

Feb. 5th. Senators withdrew from Congress, also the Representatives, except John E. Bouligny. State flag adopted. Pilots at the Balize prohibited from bringing over the bar any United States vessels of war.

March 7th. Ordinance adopted in secret session transferring to "Confederate" States government $536,000, being the amount of bullion in the U. S. mint and customs seized by the State.

16th. An ordinance voted down, submitting the "Confederate" Constitution to the people-yeas 26, nays 74.

21st. Ratified the "Confederate" Constitution-yeas 101, nays 7 Governor authorized to transfer the arms and property captured from the United States to the "Confederate" Government.

27th. Convention adjourned sine die.

ALABAMA.

January 7th, 1861. Convention met. 8th. Received and heard the Commissioner from South Carolina.

11th. Ordinance of Secession passed in secret session-yeas 61, nays 39. Proposition to submit ordinance to the people lost

November 26th, 1860. Legislature met.
Governor M. S. Perry recommended imme--yeas 47, nays 53.
diate secession.

Dec. 1st. Convention bill passed.
Jan. 3d, 1861. Convention met.

14th. Legislature met pursuant to previous action.

19th. Delegates elected to the Southern

21st. Representatives and Senators in

7th. Commissioners from South Carolina Congress. and Alabama received and heard. 10th. Ordinance of Secession passed-Congress withdrew. yeas 62, nays 7

18th. Delegates appointed to Southern Congress at Montgomery.

21st. Senators and Representatives in Congress withdrew.

26th. Commissioners appointed to treat with the United States Government relative to the United States forts, arsenals, etc., within the State.

t

The Convention requested the people of Feb. 14th. Act passed by the Legisla- the States of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, ture declaring that after any actual collision | North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida,

Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, ¡ forts, etc., to "Confederate" Government. Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Mis- 23d. Ratified the "Confederate" Constisouri to meet the people of Alabama by tution-yeas 68, nays 2.

NORTH CAROLINA.

their delegates in Convention, February 4th, 1861, at Montgomery, for the purpose of consulting as to the most effectual mode of securing concerted or harmonious action in November 20th, 1860. Legislature met. whatever measures may be deemed most Gov. Ellis recommended that the Legisladesirable for their common peace and ture invite a conference of the Southern Security. Military bill passed. Commis-States, or failing in that, send one or more sioners appointed to other Slaveholding delegates to the neighboring States so as to secure concert of action. He recommended March 4th. Convention re-assembled. a thorough reorganization of the militia, 13th. Ratified “Confederate" Constitution, yeas $7, nays 6. Transferred control forts, of arsenals, etc., to "Confederate" Government.

States.

ARKANSAS.

January 16th, 1861. Legislature passed Convention bill. Vote of the people on the Convention was 27,412 for it, and 15.826 against it.

February 18th. Delegates elected.
March 4th. Convention met.

15th. The Ordinance of Secession defeated-yeas 35, nays 39. The convention effected a compromise by agreeing to submit the question of co-operation or secession to the people on the 1st Monday in August.

May 6th. Passed Secession Ordinanceyeas 69, nays 1. Authorized her delegates to the Provisional Congress, to transfer the ar-enal at Little Rock and hospital at Napoleon to the "Confederate" Government.

TEXAS.

January 21st, 1861. Legislature met. 25th. People's State Convention met. 29th. Legislature passed a resolution declaring that the Federal Government has no power to coerce a Sovereign State after she has pronounced her separation from the Federal Union.

February 1st. Ordinance of Secession passed in Convention-yeas 166, nays 7. Military bill passed.

7th. Ordinance passed, forming the foundation of a Southern Confederacy. Delegates to the Southern Congress elected. Also an act passed submitting the Ordinance of Secession to a vote of the people. 23d. Secession Ordinance voted on by the people; adopted by a vote of 34,794 in favor, and 11,235 against it.

March 4th. Convention declared the State out of the Union. Gov. Houston issued a proclamation to that effect.

16th. Convention by a vote of 127 to 4 deposed Gov. Houston, declaring his seat vacant. Gov. Houston issued a proclamation to the people protesting against this action of the Convention.

and the enrollment of all persons between 18 and 45 years, and the organization of a corps of ten thousand men; also, a Convention, to assemble immediately after the proposed consultation with other Southern States shall have terminated.

December 9th, Joint Committee on Federal Relations agreed to report a Convention Bill.

17th. Bill appropriating $300,000 to arm the State, debated.

18th. Senate passed above bill-yeas, 41, nays, 3.

20th. Commissioners from Alabama and Mississippi received and heard the latter, J. Thompson, by letter.

22d. Senate bill to arm the State failed to pass the House.

22d. Adjourned till January 7th. January 8th, 1861. Senate Bill arming the State passed the House, yeas, 73, nays, 26.

30th. Passed Convention Bill-election to take place February 28th. No Secession Ordinance to be valid without being ratified by a majority of the qualified voters of the State.

31st. Elected Thos. L. Clingman United States Senator,

Commissioners from

February 13th.
Georgia publicly received.

20th. Mr. Hoke elected Adjutant General of the State. Military Bill passed. 28th. Election of Delegates to Convention took place.

28th. The vote for a Convention was 46,671; against 47,333-majority against a Convention 661.

May 1st. Extra session of the Legisla ture met at the call of Gov. Ellis. The same day they passed a Convention Bill, ordering the election of delegates on the 15th.

2d. Legislature adjourned.

13th. Election of delegates to the Convention took place.

20th. Convention met at Raleigh. 21st. Ordinance of Secession passed; also the "Confederate " Constitution ratified.

June 5th. Ordinance passed, ceded the 20th. Legislature confirmed the action arsenal at Fayetteville, and transferred of the Convention in deposing Gov. Hous- magazines, etc., to the Confederate ton by a vote of 53 to 11. Transferred Government.

TENNESSEE.

January 6th, 1861. Legislature met. 12th. Passed Convention Bill.

30th. Commissioners to Washington appointed.

February 8th. People voted no Convention: 67,360 to 54,156.

Gov. Letcher communicated the Resolutions of the Legislature of New York, expressing the utmost disdain, and saying that "the threat conveyed can inspire no terror in freemen." The resolutions were directed to be returned to the Governor of New York.

18th. $1,000,000 appropriated for the defence of the State.

May 1st. Legislature passed a joint resolution authorizing the Governor to ap19th. Passed resolve that if all efforts point Commissioners to enter into a military league with the authorities of the to reconcile the differences of the country "Confederate" States. fail, every consideration of honor and in7th. Legislature in secret session rati-terest demands that Virginia shall unite fied the league entered into by A. O. W. her destinies with her sister slaveholding Totten, Gustavus A. Henry, Washington States. Also that no reconstruction of the Barrow, Commissioners for Tennessee, and Union can be permanent or satisfactory, Henry W. Hilliard, Commissioner for which will not secure to each section self"Confederate" States, stipulating that protecting power against any invasion of Tennessee until she became a member of the Federal Union upon the reserved rights the Confederacy placed the whole military of either. (See Hunter's proposition for force of the State under the control of the adjustment.) President of the "Confederate" States, and turned over to the "Confederate" States all the public property, naval stores and munitions of war. Passed the Senate, 22d. The Governor transmitted the reyeas 14, nays 6, absent and not voting 5; the House, yeas 42, nays 15, absent and solutions of the Legislature of Ohio, with His message was not voting, 18. Also a Declaration of In-unfavorable comment. dependence and Ordinance dissolving the tabled by a small majority.

Federal relations between Tennessee and

the United States, and an ordinance adopting and ratifying the Confederate Constitution, these two latter to be voted on by the people on June 8th were passed.

June 24th. Gov. Isham G. Harris declared Tennessee out of the Union, the vote for Separation being 104,019 against

47,238.

VIRGINIA.

January 7th, 1861. Legislature vened.

21st. Replied to Commissioners Hopkins and Gilmer, expressing inability to make a definite response until after the meeting of the State Convention.

30th. The House of Delegates to-day tabled the resolutions of the Pennsylvania Legislature, but referred those of Tennessee to the Committee on Federal Relations.

February 20th. The resolutions of the Legislature of Michigan were returned without comment.

Seddon, Commissioners to the Peace Con28th. Ex-President Tyler and James A. gress, presented their report, and denounced the recommendation of that body as a decon-lusion and a sham, and as an insult and an offense to the South.

8th. Anti-coercion resolution passed. 9th. Resolution passed, asking that the status quo be maintained.

Proceedings of Virginia Convention. February 4th. Election of delegates to the Convention.

13th. Convention met.

14th. Credentials of John S. Preston, Commissioner from South Carolina, Fulton Anderson from Mississippi, and Henry L. Benning from Georgia, were received.

10th. The Governor transmitted a despatch from the Mississippi Convention, announcing its unconditional secession from the Union, and desiring on the basis of the old Constitution to form a new union with the seceding States. The House adoptedyeas 77, nays 61,-an amendment submitting to a vote of the people the question of referring for their decision any action of 18th. Commissioners from Mississippi the Convention dissolving Virginia's con- and Georgia heard; both pictured the dannection with the Union, or changing its ger of Virginia remaining with the North; organic law. The Richmond Enquirer neither contemplated such an event as redenounced "the emasculation of the Con-union.

vention Bill as imperilling all that Virgin- 19th. The Commissioner from South ians held most sacred and dear." Carolina was heard. He said his people 16th. Commissioners Hopkins and Gil- believed the Union unnatural and mônmer of Alabama received in the Legisla-strous, and declared that there was no ture. human force --no sanctity of human touch, 17th. Resolutions passed proposing the that could re-unite the people of the Crittenden resolutions as a basis for adjust-North with the people of the South-that ment, and requesting General Government it could never be done unless the economy to avoid collision with Southern States. of God were changed.