Category Archives: Secession and the Interregnum

In the aftermath of the 1860 election

Fire-eater and Firepower

150 years ago this week The New-York Times BRECKINRIDGE correspondent commented on affairs in the newly independent Alabama. Here are some excerpts (The New-York Times January 26, 1861): THE DISUNION QUESTION.; SOUTHERN CORRESPONDENCE. FROM ALABAMA. HOW IT SEEMS TO BE … Continue reading

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More State Action South and North

Secession Convention on the Bayou From The New-York Times January 25, 1861: IMPORTANT FROM LOUISIANA.; PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATE CONVENTION. BATON ROUGE, Wednesday, Jan. 23. The Louisiana State Convention met to-day. A flag with fifteen stars upon it floats over … Continue reading

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Louisiana Governor: It’s Hopeless

From The New-York Times January 24, 1861: THE LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE.; UNCOMPROMISING MESSAGE FROM THE GOVERNOR. BATON ROUGE, Tuesday, Jan. 22. In the Legislature to-day the Governor’s Message was read. He says our enemies will find that throughout Louisiana we are … Continue reading

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New-York: Brashly Intimidating?

From The New-York Times January 22, 1861: THE LEGISLATURES OF NEW-YORK AND VIRGINIA.; GOV. LETCHER ON THE NEW-YORK RESOLVES–THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES VOTES TO RETURN THEM TO GOV. MORGAN. Gov. LETCHER, of Virginia, sent the following message to the Legislature … Continue reading

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Let Them Go!

More Evidence of Dis-united North A month after South Carolina officially seceded from the Union Wendell Phillips, a well-known abolitionist, gave a speech in Boston. The main idea: if a state wants to secede, let it. From The New-York Times … Continue reading

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Stoical in Springfield

I. 150 years ago this week there was news from Springfield, Illinois about President-elect Abraham Lincoln. He entertained some visitors: SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Sunday, Jan. 13. … Mr. LINCOLN was presented this forenoon with a gold-headed rosewood cane, valued at $250, … Continue reading

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Fort Sumter: Cookin’ With Rubbish

Major Anderson “Patient” during Star of the West incident; South Carolina decides against Commandeering the Marion (After Starting to Saw It Up; but It Was Refurbished) From The New-York Times January 19, 1861: THE CONDITION OF FORT SUMTER. The steamer … Continue reading

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Secession Logic: What Constitutional Convention?

85 Years of Sovereign Independence? From The New-York Times January 18, 1861: HOW VESSELS ARE CLEARED AT THE CHARLESTON CUSTOM-HOUSE. Some curiosity exists as to the forms at present adopted at the Charleston Custom-House for clearing vessels. We have been … Continue reading

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Savannah’s “Rattlesnake Club”

From The New-York Times January 16, 1861: AFFAIRS IN SAVANNAH.; TESTIMONY OF A N0RTHERN MECHANIC CONCERNING THINGS IN SAVANNAH. … Our informant — who had engaged in a mechanical business — was warned out of the city by one of … Continue reading

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The High Cost of Freedom

From The New-York Times January 15, 1861: THE EXPENSES OF SECESSION. — The Columbia South Carolinian publishes an ordinance just passed by the City Council “to raise supplies for the year 1861.” Besides a tax of 85 cents on every … Continue reading

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