Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/374

336 F. Thomas. Mr. Cass, soon afterward, December 12th, resigned the portfolio of state on account of his disagreement with the administration on the question of reinforcement of Anderson at Charleston Harbor, and Attorney-General Black assumed his place. Mr. Stanton enters the cabinet as attorney-general. Public discussions take place in many Southern States and elections are held for delegates to State conventions. A public meeting was held in Baltimore to hear the speech of a commissioner from Mississippi. The State of South Carolina secedes December 2oth, and appoints Barn well, Adams and Orr commissioners to proceed to Washington to treat for the possession of the United States property within the limits of that State. A public meeting held in New York City, December 22d, was addressed by Mr. Seward, in which he expressed the opinion that the example of South Carolina would not be followed by many other States and that for every State that will go out there will be two to take its place glad to come in. ’You will see Canada and all the Mexican States rushing in to fill up the vacancy. Pronouncing secession a humbug and a delusion, he avowed that no State should be allowed to secede, advised coolness and kindness, with the prediction that the suns of sixty days will give a brighter atmosphere. (Ency. Am. of 1861, p. 530.) During this eventful month the President-elect, Mr. Lincoln, was in active correspondence with the leaders of his party in which he early gave the advice, "prevent as far as possible any of our friends from demoralizing themselves and our cause by entertaining propositions for compromise of any sort on slavery extension. There is no possible compromise upon it but which puts us under again and all our work to do over again.&quot; (Reminiscences, p. 30.)

The secession of South Carolina from the United States was effected by the ordinance of a convention elected by qualified voters of the State under the provisions of the act of its legislature, The act of the conven-