Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-04-01
WASHINGTON IN 1860.
By James Croggon.

The celebration Of the semi-centen
| NAL OF the mastering in of the Dis
| trict volunteers for the protection of
the capital. April 10. the anniversary
or which the survivors of that body
are making preparations to celebrate,
| recalls some interesting facts. During
! the preceding year, such were the con-
ditions that at the call Of the President
| on Gen. r. c. Weightman, commanding
the District militia, for ten companies
to protect the capital. the requisi
ton was more than met. During ten
days thirty-seven companies were ac-
cepted for three months service, on
| the muster rolls Of which there were
over $500 names.
The. preceding year, 1860, was one in
which such h events tnd occurred os as to cause
dismembered; and probably never be-
fore was so much attention paid to
public affairs as was then given by the
mass of the people. The political cam
democratic national convention met at
Charleston April %, when the dele
gates from several southern states
withdrew and organized an opposition
convention.
Hence there were two conventions of
that body and each adjourned until the
June following. The regular democratic
convention reassembled at Baltimore
June IS, and nominated Stephen A. Doug
las of Illinois, and H. V johnson of
Georgia as its standard bearers, the op-
position convention about the same time
naming j. c. Breckenridge of Kentucky
and Joseph Lane OF Oregon on it's ticket.
constitutional convention had met at
baltimore May 8, and placed in nomina-
ton John Bell of Tennessee and Edward
Everett of Massachusetts.
The republicans May IT, at Chicago,
named Abraham Lincoln Of Illinois and
citing campaign followed. each party hav-
ing its associations, clubs and party
emblems, and here such were active and
the emblems conspicuous. The old Jack
son Democratic Association mostly favor
ed the Douglas people. while the other
Wing OF the party formed a Breckin-
ridge and Lane Club, later known as
the National Volunteers. The republic
cans had a large association known as
the Wide Awakes, the headquarters being
at the northwest corner of Indiana ave-
nue. and I'd street, the hall being known
as "Wigwam'' AS election day ap
preached more intense grew the feelings.
for there were threats being made by
both sides as to what would be the con-
sequences of the election Of Mr.. Lincoln
or one of the opposition. 1t was not rare
for clashes to occur in which foreigners
and native-born engaged and colored per-
SOAio "CAO ottoNhCu.
Disorder Follows Election.
When the result Of the election was
known on the night of November &, for
it was conceded that the vote of New
York would settle it, the republicans
went wild, cheering through the streets
and growing over the defeated parties.
The Breckenridge element formed a
mob, which stoned the "Wigwam'' and
did some damage to the printing plant of
Buell. & Blanchard, the publishers OF
the National Era and the Republic Republic
things generally. There is no denying
that many government employees looked
for their dismissal when Mr.. Lincoln came
in; some to general breakup or the
Union. and majority to the overthrow
of the government by the south. A few
days after the election an attempt had
been made to seize the government arms
at Fort Moultrie. S. c., and the delega-
ton in Congress from that state, headed
by J. H. Hammond. a ma jor general of
South Carolina militia, resigned.
The legislature of Georgia few days
later appropriated 100000 to arm the
militia of the state. Here in the cosmo-
politan population were included in the
pro-slavery element some ultra-extrem-
lists. but loyalty to ones state was placed
above any other consideration. and many
waited the action of their states. The
the Union must be preserved, and that
Mr.. Lincoln should be given trial:
Probably the first company formed for
the purpose of seating MI. Lincoln was
composed of stonecutters. At a meeting
of the association Immediately after the
election doubts of his Inauguration were
expressed, when Mr.. James Guild offer
ed q resolution to form company FOR
that purpose. This was adopted, and a
company was formed under the name OF
the Mechanics Union Rifles and Alex
andria Rutherford chosen captain.
The news from Memphis, Tenn, of the
/, coming just befOreS the converting OF
Congress, at which Mr.. Buchanan in his
message denied the right of secession, and
the resignation of Howell Cobb. Secre-
senator's and southern members. had
disquieting effect, which was intensified
by a number of banks in Philadelphia,
Baltimore and other places suspendins
specie payment. At a cabinet meeting
the question of sending reinforcements
to Fort Moultrie was discussed and re-
jected, President Buchanan Directing
thereto and Gen. Cass, Secretary OF
State, because Of this action, resigned
from the cabinet.
Efforts at Compromise Fail.
gress. and efforts were made by Senators
j. ]. Crittenden Of Kentucky and Elmer
son Etheridge of Tennessee to bring about
a compromise, but without success. South
Carolina, having adopted secession ordi-
nance by a unanimous vote, the hopes of
the most optimistic were shattered. In
the meantime Fort Moultrie had been
abandoned by Maj. Anderson, who moved
his troops to Fort Sumter South Caro-
lima troops occupied Fort Moultrie and
also the arsenal, and J. B. Floyd of Vir-
ginia resigned as Secretary of War be-
cause the United States troops We're not