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Even Texas Wants Out?

From The New-York Times December 10, 1860: To the Editor of the New-York Times: Can the reports that are in circulation about Texas be true? Can she in reality be so ungrateful as to even think of seceding? Her secession … Continue reading

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Alabama Fasts; Baptists Ready for War

The following excerpted article from The New-York Times mentions a Colonel Watts along with the famous fire-eater William L. Yancey. I’m assuming Watts is Thomas H. Watts, who became Alabama’s governor in 1863. This article was written by The Times’ … Continue reading

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Weed: Obey Constitution; Pay for Fugitives

Thurlow Weed was a political boss in the Whig party. He became a Republican and supported fellow New Yorker William Seward for the party’s presidential nomination in 1860. It is believed that one of the reasons that Seward lost the … Continue reading

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What South Carolina Fears

From The New-York Times December 7, 1860: A CANDID VIEW OF SECESSION.; EXTRACT OF A PRIVATE LETTER FROM A LADY IN SOUTH CAROLINA RECEIVED IN THIS CITY. K_____, S.C., Saturday, Dec. 1, 1860. MY DEAR UNCLE: It is with different … Continue reading

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War in the Fourth Estate

As the Daily News sites have noted the Charleston Mercury has been beating the drum for South Carolina’s secession, especially since Lincoln’s election. The Mercury was edited by Robert Barnwell Rhett, Jr., whose father was a well-known fire-eater. Robert Barnwell … Continue reading

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From Canada

On December 4, 1860 President Buchanan issued his final State of the Union address. The “Daily News” links in the right-hand column do a great job covering the address. Here’s a short story related to fugitive slaves and the Underground … Continue reading

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Ex-President Pierce: Doughface Perspective

In the period leading up to the American Civil War “Doughface” was the disparaging term many Northerners used to describe Northerners who sympathized with the South and its interests. 150 years ago today Congress began its session in the midst … Continue reading

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Yankee, (You Better) Go Home!

December 2, 1860. Congressmen from around the United States are accumulating in Washington, D.C. as they await the reconvening of Congress tomorrow, December 3rd. Some southern senators, such as Breckinridge from Kentucky, are speaking words of moderation and conciliation. Congressmen … Continue reading

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Pondering Economics of Secession: Stalwart Giant vs. Infant

150 years ago today The New-York Times reacted to a bill in the Georgia Legislature that would place an extreme fine on commerce with the North. The editorial used the bill’s intent to predict the effect a hostile secession would … Continue reading

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(Almost) Kissing Babies in Chicago

Lincoln’s quietness during the election and its immediate aftermath was usual in his day. Senator Douglas broke tradition during the 1860 presidential canvas by personally campaigning throughout the country, but the norm was for the candidate to remain at home … Continue reading

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