Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/362

324 unsatisfactory correspondence with Mr. Lincoln in regard to his policy. The Louisiana legislature, after discussion, proposed a convention to be held at once. Greeley so severely attacked the South as to draw out replies from Governor Seymour and others. The reports made daily by the Southern press of proceedings at the North, and the unsatisfactory course of the Buchanan administration, only deepened the convictions of South Carolina, and amidst the conditions of public sentiment no other course except that of a call for a convention of the State could have been taken. By the mere accident that under the old usage of this State its legislature met at the time of the presidential election, the responsibility of leading in secession fell upon South Carolina, and hence on the 12th of November the legislature passed the bill to call a convention, but placed the time of its assembling December 17th, more than six weeks from the presidential election, giving ample time in the emergency for a full vote of its people.

The legislatures of Georgia, North Carolina, Mississippi and Alabama met during November, and were followed by other States in the call for separate State conventions. Thus early, and in ample time for initiating an adjustment, the administration of Buchanan was summoned to the high duty of making the Union secure, and the interests of all sections safe, even under the rule of the geographical party by which it had been defeated.