Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-23
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

ooihc Aiihe OeIOTe the efectIOn Oi Ian-
coin, half century ago, there were
rumors of secessionist
secession plots, which, however.
puwo-. were not generally ac-
credited. The Star was
optimistic regarding the future and in the
issue of October II, 1860, printed the fol-
lowing editorial:
I'VE are now daily hearing rumors OF
plots for the destruction OF the Union.
This morning we saw a Washington let
ter published in the Boston Atlas and
Bee, assuming to give the details of such
a conspiracy. having for it's primary OBJ
ject the destruction of the Union in case
Of Lincoln's election. and, as q means OF
securing the cooperation of the govern
ment of the United States to that end,
the speedy procurement of the retirement
Of Secretary Floyd from the cabinet. be-
cause, as alleged by the writer, he is
we'll known to be actively hostile to the
scheme. The wonder-monger credits
Senators Davis and Srdell and Secretary
Cobb with being its chief engineers. In
half an hour afterward we were con
f1dent1y informed that a secret meeting OF
the governors of the gulf states and
South Carolina had recently taken place
whereat a full and carefully matured
plan for the secession of those states had
occh agreed upon. ACCORDING TO Ouf
credulous friend, Alabama is first by
legislative action to declare her connec-
ton with the existing confederacy at an
end, South Carolina next, Mississippi
next. Georgia next-and so on to the end
Of the chapter
Now, We have to assure the public
that there is not word of truth what
ever in these or any OF
Disbelief their kindred stories float
r~,-....a ing around loose JUS
APAeese"' now. No man in the coun-
try is in better condition than our.
self to know the truth Of such matters
named by the correspondent Of the At.
las and Bee will be the last public mer
in the land to assume to lead their re.
spective states into any such action. what
ever their position might be were theil
states to take some such attitude Nor 1:
it possible that the governor Of any south
ern state would assume to initiate any
such policy for his state, that. not being
his function. Alabama has already By
legislative action, devolved on her gov.
ernor the duty of calling a state conven.
ton In the case Of Lincoln's election, tC
be charged with the duty Of determining
the course demanded by the emergency
for the protection of her rights and inter.
ests. There is danger that hot blood
rather than cool reason may guide the
councils of that convention.
Yet from private informa ton in whict
we confide we are very sure that il
Lincoln be elected he
destruction will at once make such
Unwarranted declaration with ref
erence to the policy OF
his administration concerning slavery
and also with reference to its composition
as will place those who would destroy the
confederacy ere an overt act shall have
made such action on the part of the
southern states a measure of unmistak-
able self-defense only, in the attitude OF
seeking to overthrow the government OF
the United States only for the sake OF
overthrowing it. Standing in such an at
titude, they would be utterly powerless
with the people, however strong they
might be were the incoming administration
to be organized upon the irrepressible
conflict principle SO definitely as that the
south would comprehend at glance that
the main object of its policy could not fail
to make war on the institution and the
rights and interests of the south from the
moment Of its installation in power
Concrete construction, which is now a
large factor in building enterprises, Is
not so distinctly a mod
Concrete ern device as may be
n.u thought by many. 1t was
ooAA@PSe' being experimental with
half a century ago, as the following para
graph in The Star of october 20, 1860, in
dicates:
about 8 o'clock this morning the ex-
perimental building in the propagating
garden on AZ street, near the canal, sud
denly fell and three workmen were buried
in it. They were speedily extricated and
taken to the superintendent Office, near
by. and their injuries were examined and
ascertained to be but slight wounds and
bruises on their backs and limbs. Their
remarkable escape can only be accounted
for by the nature of the material of which
the building was constructed. The build
ing Is located at the spot where the main
entrance to the garden Is designed to be
placed. 1t was intended as an Office for
the present, but ultimately for the lodge.
The material is concrete Of lime. sand
and gravel, and if the experiment had
demonstrated the economy and durability
of such a structure it would have been
of value in those sections of the country
where brick cannot be had and this ma
terial abounds. The structure was four
teen by thirty feet and was put under
cover yesterday. with the prepared cloth
for gravel roof, and the flooring was be-
ing made ready. 1t is probable the heavy
rains last night had much to do with
weakening the lower part OF the struc-
ture; SO that, being insufficient to sus-
tain the weight above, it was crushed