Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-20
FIFTY YEARS Ago
IN THE STAR

The election Of Lincoln assured. the en-
tire country became Immediately alb
sorbed i'm the question OF
DiSunion whether the cotton states
would regard the republican
OoA6SA' success as a sufficient men,
ace to slavery to warrant a secession.
The Star, published at the seat OF gov
eminent, was in a position to follow the
course Of events perhaps more accurately
and with less partisan prejudice than
newspapers printed in the north and the
south. 1t early recognized the serious
ness of the situation, calling upon the
people of the north to cease their ex-
treme exultation over Lincoln's election
as an abolition triumph and upon the
people of the south to abstain from revo-
lutionary activities as long as no attempt
was made to coerce them: Realizing the
imminence of danger resulting from the
failure of the north TO measure the south
ern sentiment accurately, The Star sought
continually to present the exact condi-
ton OF affairs. 1t printed daily one or
two, sometimes three, columns or con-
densed dispatches from all parts Of the
country under the standing head. The
Signs of the Times These columns re-
fleet dramatically the gathering intensity
Of the secession movement the quick
response of the northern money market
to the first hint of danger and the m
ability of the northern press and people
to measure the secession sentiment.
In it's issue of November Ii. 1850. The
Star set forth the situation confronting
the southern states In the
Convention following editorial:
1.-The demonstrations OF
1IoPOseu. the south threatening the
destruction of the confederacy by revo-
luton continue to increase day by day.
hour by hour, and, we are glad to per-
ceive. they have at length aroused the
opponents CT the scheme In some or the
southern states to a sense of their duty
in the emergency. Thus, in Virginia.
Kentucky and Tennessee. which states
cannot fail to become involved in the
movement sooner or later, II 1t be
consummated, and also in Georgia and
Alabama a portion CT the press and pub.
lie meetings are earnestly demanding tha'
there shall be a fairly elected conven-
ton representing at least all the slave
holding states, to whom the question OF
the proper course of the whole south IN
the present emergency shall be duly re-
mitted.
..The demand is eminently a proper
one; as even South Carolina cannot with
draw from the confederacy without ul-
timately compelling the northern tier OF
slave-holding states. to follow her ex-
ample. Thus. whether Virginia, Mary
land and Tennessee desire to leave the
existing confederacy, 1t is very certain
out making it obligatory upon them to go
under whatever government they the
cotton states) may elect to exist under
hereafter.
"It Is very clear that the revolutionary
leaders in South Carolina are laborine
to avoid interference on the part Of the
northern slave-holding states in their
current measures to bring about SUD.
den change in the government 10 tna'
end their bearing Is fnsunerably olcta-
torial, truculent and denant ana canho'
fail to operate very sensibly against their
cause everywhere out Of the limits o!
South Carolina; leading all conservative
and considerate persons to compreneno
at q glance that they are determined, II
possible, to prevent a fair expression OF
nonular opinion upon their purposes in
ali the states which they must necessar-
iIy involve in their action"
Meanwhile the greatest curiosity existed
here regarding the personality and the
position of the President
President. elect. who. although he
had served briefly in
G1ect. Congress some time pre-
viously. was virtually unknown IN the
east The Star of November IA, 1850.
says:
"A gentleman of this city "a well known
lumber merchant), visiting Springfield
ILL.,. lately on some land business. was
taken to see Mr.. Lincoln by citizen OF
Springfield, q former resident Of this city
The Interview took Ilace on the night
previous to the election. and our towns.
man was introduced to Mr.. L. as Bell
and Everett man who didn't want an
once Mr.. L., who received his visitor
with much cordially, said they were all
the more welcome for that fact. The con-
versation turned upon the excited state
of the public mind I'm the south at the
anticipation OF his election (of which he
expressed no doubt, and he went on To
saw that in his part of the country when
a man came among them they were In the
habit of giving him q fair trial. to show
his merits or dement's. This was all ne
wished from the south. The south mas
always professed to be law-abdding and
Constitution-loving; placing their reliance
on the Constitution and the laws. SO far
as he could be instrumental these should
he sustained to the fullest extent. The
IMPRESSION left upon the mind of our In
formant by the interview was that Mr..
Lincoln is frank, genial. kindly gentle
man, not undeserving the soubriquet OF
Honest Uncle Abe.