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New Nation, New Committee Name

From The New-York Times December 22, 1860: AFFAIRS IN CHARLESTON.; HOW SECESSION IS RECEIVED–GEN. CUSHING ON A SPECIAL MISSION. CHARLESTON, Friday, Dec. 21. There was a grand procession of Minute-men to-night, and several thousand citizens, strangers, firemen and military, were … Continue reading

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Wise Idea: “Fight in the Union”

South Carolina has voted for secession, but not all Southerners are certain to follow the Palmetto State’s lead. Henry A. Wise was Virginia’s governor from 1856 to 1860. Here the ex-governor explains his idea of fighting Black Republicanism within the … Continue reading

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Oh, Those Were the Days!

Miss Claudine Rhett describes the glorious autumn of 1860 in Charleston, leading up to South Carolina’s declaration of independence. I was In Charleston all through the autumn and winter of 1860-61, when so much agitation preceded secession. The very air … Continue reading

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Mail Service in the New South Carolina

As South Carolina’s Secession Convention reconvenes in Charleston, The New-York Times (December 18, 1860) takes a sardonic view of South Carolina’s attempt to set up its own Post Office: WAYS AND MEANS OF SECESSION. A Joint Committee of the South … Continue reading

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Doughface Convention in New York City

Ex-president Millard Fillmore was right – there was going to be another meeting of Southern sympathizers in New York State – specifically in New York City on Saturday, December 15th. Here are excerpts from a very long article in the … Continue reading

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What London (Times) Thinks

The New-York Times of December 15, 1860 published a good deal from the London Times. Here are some excerpts. The article titles link back to the complete stories in The New York Times Archive. I. We Like Those American States … Continue reading

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But What About Lincoln?

From The New-York Times December 14, 1860: THE CALCULATIONS OF SOUTH CAROLINA,; WHAT KEEPS THEIR COURAGE UP. From the Charleston Mercury ST. NICHOLAS HOTEL, NEW-YORK, Dec. 6, 1860. Have been stopping here for a number of days; entered my name … Continue reading

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Vigilance; Commerce Slows More

From The New-York Times December 14, 1860: HANGING BY A VIGILANCE COMMITTEE. MEMPHIS, Tenn., Thursday, Dec. 13. A letter from Friar’s Point, Miss., says that the Vigilance Committee have hung three carpenters for inciting the slaves to rebellion. Other Northerners … Continue reading

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Recruiting a Peace Emissary in Buffalo

From The New-York Times December 13, 1860: MILLARD FILLMORE INVITED TO PROCEED TO SOUTH CAROLINA. BUFFALO, Wednesday, Dec. 12. A spontaneous meeting of some three hundred of the most substantial citizens of Buffalo was held last evening, at the United … Continue reading

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Vicksburg Rally Against Disunion

From The New-York Times December 10, 1860: GREAT ANTI-DISUNION DEMONSTRATION AT VICKSBURG. A mass meeting to consider the issues of the day, way held at Vicksburg, Miss., on the afternoon and evening of the 29th ult. The Whig says: “It … Continue reading

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