Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-02-27
FIFTY DAYS.
From the N. Y. World, of February 18th

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Great events crowd the times. But the ac-
tion is too scenic, too dramatic for permanence.
Nations may be born in day, but they do not
spring. all panoplied, from the front of every
passing hour. Let us review the events of
fifty days.
On the 9th of November the people of the
United States elected their fourteenth Presi-
dent-Abraham Lincoln. of Illinois. He was
chosen regularly and constitutionally, but with
scarcely the honor of vote In Southern
State, except Virginia, Maryland, Delaware,
Kentucky, and Missouri. In these ticket
was run, and though overwhelmed, was enough
to show that difference of opinion, at least,
existed there. The States further south fell
hereupon into an extraordinary excitement,
and the Goth of December South Carroll
na-with her white population of 30S, lO6,
there being only five of the thirty-three less
than she-passed ordinance of secession.
This was followed by the seizure of tie reve-
nue. cutter Aiken, aud of the United States ar
senal, and was the first scene of the most Ia
mentable tragi-comedy whose scenes have fit
ted before our eyes. On the 26th of Decem-
Der Major Anderson moved from Fort Moultrie
to Fort Sumter, and SO took the command of
Charleston harbor-by the same act threw
bomb into the nest of traitors at Washington,
blew up the Cabinet, awakened the doting
President, and made himself the most popular
man in America. On the I'd of January, Forts
L ujdShi anu JdChSOH, anu iHe Ouitcu ctatCo
arsenal at Savannah, with Fort Macon and the
arsenal at Fayetteville, n. c., were seized.
On the Sd, Folt Morgan, near Mobile, and the
Mt. Vernon arsenal were taken. On the 9th,
the arsenal at Apaachcola, and on the 8th,
Forts Johnson and Caswell, in North Carolina,
were also seized. The same day the Florida
Convention adopted secession resolutions. On
the 9th Mississippi followed suit, while at
Charleston the New York steamer Marion was
seized and the Star of the West fired into.
On the 10th Fort McRae, at Pensacola, and on
the 1lth Forts Pike, st. Philip, and Jackson,
with the arsenal at Baton Rouge, were seized.
The same day, Alabama seeded. On the 18th
Fort Barrancas and the Pensacola navy-yard
were taken. On the 18th. Georgia seeded.
On Sunday, Jan. 20, Ship Island Fort was ta-
ken by Captain Howard. On the oath, Gov.
Brown of Georgia seized the arsenal at Angus
ia. Louisiana seeded on the 26th and Texas
on the 1st of February, about which time the
revenue cutter M'Clelland fell into the hands
of the Secessionists. Feb. I'd, the cutter Lew
is Cass was surrendered by its traitorous COM
mander. Feb. 9Th, the arsenal at Little Rock,
Arkansas, was taken. Feb. 9th, the Montgom-
cry Convention proclaimed the ssConfederated
States of America" and elected JEFF Davis
President of its Provisional Government. The
same day five New York vessels were seized in
the port of Savannah, by order OF Gov. Brown.
Here we stand. The United States flag
floats yet at Fort Sumter, Fort Pickens, Fort
Jefferson and Fort Taylor, supported by
handful of men in each. Menaces meanwhile
fill the air. Insane jubilation resounds thro'
the South. New Orleans rejoices she never
has since the heroic jackson delivered her
from Packenham's hosts. The seven seeding
States have white population of 2,I38, 146,
with 1850 ,6O3 slaves on their hands. Mean
while, the eighteen Northern and Western
States, with &c, 600 900 inhabitants, not one of
,h<,,, h,e ,,oto r. II, Syata
are firm rock, and more and more uni
ted in support of the Federal Government.
The powerful and patriotic Border States hes
tate, as well they may. The voice of treason
would sound strangely enough from Mt. Yer
non, Ashland, and the Hermitage. 1t is the
fifteenth of February; seventeen days more
will bring the Inauguration of the new Presi-
dent. He has already started for the seat OF
Government. On the spot where Jefferson and
Jackson stood, Lincoln will take the oath they
took, for the millions of the n orth stand behind
him. Europe, and especially England, trem
bleS with interest. 1t is truly a vast pageant
.'Nations for actors, Kingdoms for a stage.
And monarchs to behold the swelling scene"