The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1911-05-09
LEADING
UP TO SECESSION
CONTINUED from Page Sine.)

| the North were nearly evenly divided
| between the AbolitioHists and Demo-
| Gratis. most Of the latter being averse
| to a war, while some Of the former
| agreed with the sentiments OF Horace
Greedy, the editor OF h
Let the erring sisters go in peace
So it did not appear that war would
necessarily result; and In controvert-
ing the argument OF the
some Democrats challenged their logic
by asserting that they could wipe up
with a pocket handkerchief all the
blood hat would be shed.
The attitude of the conditional
submissionists'' vas more nearly the
temper Of the people than that OF
with the Watch and Wait" policy ad-
yocated by Editor Holden. Although
there were strong and inflamatory ad-
dresses made in every part OF every
country. when the election was held
one-sixth Of the voters refused to par
ticipate in the decision. Disseminated
at the tArn of affairs. they would by
no act Of theirs hurry the State into
war, nor yet take the responsibility OF
deciding that nothing mould be done
They were passive, although not IN
different.
OF those who voted, in many
ties a majority held the middle course,
and % conditional su~bmissionists'
were chosen delegates-conservatiye
men, who would not despair of the Re-
public, and yet purposed to stand for
Southern Rights to the asst extremity
If the bitter alternative should really
be presented. AS between the Seces-
~sionists and Submissionists there was
but little iDeQuality-46 of the former
and SO of the latter being chosen del
egates, and the vote standing-46.672
for the convention. Which represented
a = - ooo;-~% 1870
ton, being the Union side OF the is
sue.
The returns came 1r slowly and the
result was long in doubt. With vary
ing hopes and fears, day by the day,
the public scanned the returns with
the greatest anxiety. The destiny of
the State hung tremblingly in the bal
ance. It was not until the middle of
March that, fina1ly,-it was ascertain
ed that by a hairs breadth the State
had scap secession. North Caro-
lima had refused to secede. It was a
heart-rending disappointment to the
Secessionists; but at once they began
q campaign to reverse that judgment.
Secession meetings were held In all
the large towns, eliminating in a great
State convention at GoldsborO, in the
last week Of March, which continued
in session several days, arc WAS pre-
sided over by the venerable Weldon
N. Edwards, and was addressed by dis
tinguished speakers.
This agitation was well calculated
to arouse Southern feeling, and make
progress against that conservatism
which had prevented action; and to
continue it, the convention was adj
jOurned to meet in Charlotte on May
20. But unexpected events consolidate
ed the people in favor OF secession
much earlier.
When on March 4th, Mr.. Lincoln
was inaugurated, the first impulse to-
ward secession had expended itself.
The great border States, and Virginia,
North Carolina, Tennessee, and Arkan-
sas had refused to separate from the
Union, and, if they could be held in
their places, it was likely that the Cot
ton States would soon return. A pol
icy OF peace, a1laying apprehension
and not tending to inflame the people
of those States, that offered the best
hope # preserving the Union. It was
the policy urged by the Union MEM
bers of Congress in a conference with
Mr.. Lincoln, n assented to by him.
indeed. he had earlier offered Mr.. Gill
mer a position in his cabinet, and
otherwise a sought to reassure the
Unionists Of the South.
The point where friction was likely
to be evolved was at Charleston,
where a considerable garrison occu-
pied Fort Sumter. Early in March,
Messrs. Forsythe and Crawford were
despatched by the Confederate gov
ernment to bring about a friendly set
Element Of all matters Of difference
and although Mr.. Lincoln could not
receive them in their official capacity,
unofficial assurances were given hat
no step would be taken tina would
disturb the existing conditions. The
provisions of the garrison were run
ming low, and it was recognized that
unless a new supply was furnished
the garrison would have to be with
drawn Mr.. Lincoln contemplated
Withdrawing the garrison. Such a
step was in line with the policy he
had begun and would have stren gthen-
ed the cause of the Union in the
Border States. Indeed a majority Of
the cabinet advised the withdrawal.
General Scott recommended it, and
says General Doubleday, then in Fort