Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-19
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

AAv AAA ~ AAAAN
Interest in the secession question at
this time fifty years ago conferred in the
peace conference In ses-
Davis sion at washington and
E1ao4;o, in the Southern Confed-
eracy convention at Mont
gomery, Ala. News from the latter was
printed daily. foreshadowing clearly the
inevitability Of conflict between the Sec
tons In The Star Of February IL. 1861,
Is the following dispatch from Montgom-
cry under date Of two days previous:
The convention has unanimously elect
ed Hon. JEFF Davis president and Hon.
A. II. Stephens vice president. A reso-
luton was adopted by the convention ap-
pointing committee consisting Of three
Alabama deputies to inquire and report
on what terms suitable buildings In
Montgomery can be secured for the use
OF the several executive departments of
the Confederacy under the provisional
government. An ordinance was passed
continuing in force until repealed or al
tered by Congress all laws of the United
States in force or use up to the 1st OF
November last. with the constitution of
the provisional government. 1t is UNI
derstood that under this law a tariff will
be laid on all goods brought from the
United States. A resolution was also
adopted instructing the committee on
finance to report promptly a tariff for
raising revenue to support the govern
ment. A resolution was adopted au-
thorizing the appointment Of a commit
tee to report q constitution for the perma-
nent government Of the Confederacy."
The peace conference in \, ashington
was progressing slowly behind closed
doors. In The Star OF Feb
Seeking ruary L. 1861, appears the fol-
lowing paragraph summa riz-
Ae"ee' ing the situation:
yesterdays session OF this body was
very brief. its committee of one from
each state, who are considering the yari-
Gus propositions of settlement, not being
ready to report The committee was in
session until nearly 10 o'clock last night.
1t is understood that majority of the
committee favor the plan introduced by
Mr.. Guthrie, which is a combination
Of features OF the border-state and Crit
| tenden plan. We are satisfied that II
they report that platform it can pass the
convention by Il majority vote: and have
every reason to hope that it's final adop-
ton, or that something similar to it. will
be by decided majority of both sec
tons. There is great unanimity among
tina commissioners who represent the
states Immediately Interested. That is.
! among those from the border non-slave-
holding and s1ave-holding states. the i'm
practicables being almost exclusively
far northwest and New York. This morn
ing it seemed to be understood that the
committee would not make Its report un-
til tomorrow.
Interest In the movements of President
elect Lincoln was keen. He left his
home at Springfield, ILL.,.
Tincoln,s on the 18th Of February,
1861, for Washington. In
departure. The Star of February IL
appears the following news dispatch de-
scribing his departures:
"Mr. Lincoln left home at 30 am.
ACCOMPANIED by a large concourse OF
people to the depot. where nearly 1'"o
citizens had collected. After he had
shaken hands with q number OK friends
he spoke as follows:
"'My friends: No one not in my po-
sition can appreciate the sadness 1eel
at this parting. To this people l owe all
| that l am. Here | have lived more than
were born and here one of them lies
buried I know not how soon i shall see
YOU again. A duty devolves2 Upon me
which is perhaps greater than that which
has devolved upon any other man since
the DAYS of Washington He never
would have succeeded except for the aid
Of Divine Providence, upon which he at
ell times relied. l feel that | cannot
succeed without the Divine aid which
sustained him and in the same Almighty
Z,
and / hope YOU, my friends. will all pray
that | may receive that Divine assist
ance without which l cannot succeed.
but with which success is certain Again.
ibid you all an affectionate farewell,
II.oud applause and cries of We will
pray for youD.
During the speech Mr.. Lincoln betray-
ed much emotion and the crowd was
affected to tears. The train left at pre-
cisely half-past o'clock.
For some time prior to the Inaugural
ton of President Lincoln reports were
in circulation here that q
Con sniracy conspiracy existed to pre-
vent his taking the oath of
huMOfs. office. A select committee
vas appointed by the House to investi-
gate such rumors and in The Star OF
February 10, 1851, is a news article sum-
marizng its reports, submitted by Rep
resentative Howard of Michigan. After
noting the situation in general the report
proceeds:
Certain organizations in this District
and in Maryland that prior to the cleo
ton seem to have been only political
clubs have since assumed the character
Of military organizations. are now en-
gagged in drilling and expect to provide
themselves with arms, some from the
state authorities and other from private
subscriptions. But, as far as the COM
mittee were able to learn Of their pur-
poses, while they sympathtzed strongly
with secession, there is no proof that
they intend to attack either the Capitol
or the District unless the surrender
should be demanded by a state to which
they profess high degree of allegiance.
Some of the companies in Baltimore pro-
TESS to be drilling for the sole purpose of
preventing other military companies
from passing through the state OF Mary
land The committee have failed to dis
cover any satisfactory evidence that they
have any purpose whatever. as a mere
mob. without the sanction OF state au-
thorities, to attack the Capitol or any
other public property in this District or
to seize the District. The committee are
unanimously Of the opinion that the EVIL
dence produced before them does not
prove the existence Of a secret organi-
cation here, or elsewhere, hostile to the
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