The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-07

right.
There was 10 room for uncertainty ~ 20
/ the significance OF the election Of Abraham
/ Lincoln. The Chicago platform was more
than menace to the South: IL vas deli
ancc of law. a declaration Of war upon the
constitution. The election Of Lincoln was
both legal and moral severance OF the
bonds Of Union. While he received the
united vote OF the North. save New jersey
/ he did not receive one electoral vote rom
! the South. Nor was there any reason 80
doubt the government under It's new man.
aeement. Dlr. Lincoln had been sufficiently
communicative of his own bitter h0-tliitt
| 10 Southern institutions. Wendell Iblllps
said Of the new party: NO one has a rlelt
TO be surprised at this state Of things. II u
| inst what we have attempted 10 bring about.
/ IL is the first sectional party ever organized
| i'm this country II does not know rs own
| face and calls itself national; but II u not
natiOnal-it is sectional. The Republican
party is the party Of the North, pledsed
| AGAINST the south" such was the COM
plexion TO which political affairs were
| brought by the election Of Abraham Lincoln.
| Congress. met ON the first Monday in Deem
| her 1860. under circumstances of cXtraor-
binary gravity. Universal forebOdngs OF
peril were mingled with the hope of such
action ~ would avert the impending
calamity of disuni0n and civil war.
DAvIs-UNION-s
| Before the opening Of the session Presi-
dent Buchanan received from Mr.. Davis the
most satisfactory assurances Of his co-Ope-
ration with the administration in pacinc
policy, having for il object the settlement
| of the national difficulties upon terms pro-
motive of the peace Of the country and as
surfing the security Of the south. TO such
| a settlement the Efforts of Mr.. Davis were
addressed so long as there was the slightest
ground for the indulgence Of hope. Happily
| for the reputation Of Mr.. Davis, the proof Is
authentic and conclusive in his favor upon
these important questions. There IS 10 pof-
ton Of his career in which craftsmanship,
patriotism and a noble appreciation Of the
claims of humanity shine forth more con-
spicuOusly. His devotion to the Union 81
| the American fathers was as unquestionaDle
as was that Of Washington. He never AZ
rayed himself against such I mon; but.
abhOring that perverted instrument
Of sectional oppression which the gov
eminent had become, he did accompany
and lead his fellow citizens in the exercise
| Of the highest privilege Of freemen. lie
was always prepared 10 follow Tue prlicl-
pies of states Rights TO their logical conse-
auences. and was vet CONSTANT in his at
| tachment 10 the Union. Thus ne was firm
believer in the absolute sovereignty oil the
States. and Of the enjoyment by the states
Of all the attributes of sovereignty. includ-
ing, necessarily, the right of secession. lie
had never urged the eXpedlency OF seces-
sion. though upon repeated occasions he had
foreshadowed its probable necessity IN the
future as the only remedy remaining to the
South in certain contingencies. Yet. THIS
course. subsequent 10 the election OF Mr..
Lincoln. was entirely directed in the inter
est Of moderation. Regarding "A long and
bloody war rs the certain result OF dlssolu-
ton. he anxiously sought to avert IL, ana
stood pledged to any basis Of settlement
which should guarantee the safety and
honor Of the South. At no time, however,
did he advocate submission. speaking Of
the secession Of Mississippi, he said: Il,
however. may be permitted 70 say, that do
think she had justifiablc cause, and ! APP
prove Of her act. | conferred with her ln-o-
Pile before that act was takeu, counseies
them that If the state of things which they
apprehended should exist when the conven-
ton met. they should take the action which
they have now adopted
During the session numerous efforts at
compromise were made, in every instance
emanating from the Southern representa-
tiyes, or Northern Democrats, the dominant
party Of the North, declining all tenders Of