Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-06

these recurring periods Of heated debate
and solace himself in the society Of the wo-
man he loved. But here again exactly the
same state OF affairs supervened. If pos
sible, Mary Amman was more fierce and de-
termined in her sentiments than his father.
She was completely swept away by the sit
uation. He found that whereas she had
been willing before to allow him to pour
his tale Of affection in her listening ears,
and had even played at lovemaking herself,
now she had but one topic of conversation,
and he was perforce compelled to confine
himself to the discussion Of that or remain
silent.
When he was with neither father nor
sweetheart, and resorted to the society of
barrow and the young men of his old-time
acquaintance, he found that no other SUBJ
1ect for conversation could be started and
maintained with them either. In truth,
there was reason for all this concentration
or mind upon one Idea, this social obsession
upon secession. AS he entered more and
more into the spirit Of his environment he
saw more and more clearly the irrecon-
cliable nature Of the opinions held by north
and south upon the question Of slavery
The right Of state to secede from the
general government had never been tested
Threats had been freely INDUCED in from
time to time in periods Of Stress in mo-
ments OF exigency, by both northern and
southern states, John Hancock and Massa-
chusetts leading OFF, but they had not been
seriously regarded hitherto in our national
n and X IN one instance. possibly
d.
was, after all. inevitable, came with the
1orce or sudden surprise.
Such was the contagion of the idea, how
eyer, that every slave-owning state imme-
did not realize 1t, they were ali ripe for
secession. South Carolina was no more
determined than the rest. She had merely
anticipated them, that was all.
There were many, like Judge Amman. for
instance, who thought secession unneces-
sary on account of Linceln's election; who
deplored it. fought against 1t, argued
against 1t with all their powers, but who,
II was certain. would eventually accept it
with all its consequences in case or when
1t should be brought about.
The warlike spirit Of the south evidenced
itself In the upspring in every city or VIII
lage OF new military companies, and the
young men who had seen othing Of its hor-
rors, who knew nothing of its miseries by
experience, were clamorous for war The
southerners affected to hold the men of the
north IN great contempt. but deep down in
their secret hearts they expected that they
would not be permitted to establish their
southern confederacy on the corner stone
OF slavery without strenuous efforts being
made by the north to prevent it. 1t was
known to the leaders, without doubt, that
the right Of secession would be denied and
the attempted act would be resisted.
entertainments Of every sort were more
or less given up. The papers were filled
with announcements of the new military or
ganizations. In which the privilege Of enlist
ment was eagerly sought. Uniforms were
seen everywhere upon the streets. and the
music OF fife and drum stirred the martial
ardor Of the citizens. In the midst of all
the excitement came the election Of depu-
ties to the conventions which were held In
Alabama and adjoining states, with the
avowed object OF following South Caro-
lina's action in carrying the several states
out OF the Union. Although vigorous pro-
tests were made by some eminent men, like
Alexander H. Stephens OF Georgia, the re-
suit In every case was foregone conclu-
sion.
The question OF slavery-which, while 1t
was obscured by the question OF secession,
was really the basic consideration, since it
was slavery which brought about the de-
sire for secessfonJwas almost as dercely