THE SECESSION EXCITEMENT: LETTER FROM HON. JOHN BELL; LATEST REPORTS FROM THE SOUTH; The Navy and Secession; The Slave-Trade (12/12/1860)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 12/12/1860

[Homer_J_Simpson]

NASHVILLE, Dec. 6, 1860.

DEAR SIR: Could I have flattered myself that any argument that I could address to the mass meeting appointed for the 29th ult., at Vicksburgh, would contribute in any important degree to aid you and your compatriots in staying the progress of the sentiment which threatens to precipitate your State into a political vortex which, in my judgment, would be no less fatal to her own interests than ruinous to those of her neighbors, I would, at any personal sacrifice, have obeyed the summons of my friends; but feeling no such confidence in my ability to serve them as you ascribe to me in your letter, I have yielded to the force of circumstances which claimed my attention at home.

So far as my views and opinions may have any weight or influence in determining the course of any portion of the people of Mississippi in the present critical juncture, they may be stated on paper, and I suppose would be as effective for the purpose intended as they would be if communicated in a speech.

The question of chief importance to be considered and answered is, whether the election of Mr. LINCOLN to the Presidency, considered in all its significancy and bearings, together with all precedent and existing grievances, would justify Mississippi, or any other State or States, in withdrawing from the Union? In form, the election was in strict accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Constitution and laws. The objection to it is that it was effected by a purely sectional party, organized upon the principle of hostility to Slavery, and having for its prime object the repression of Slavery, as a permanent administrative policy, with a view to its ultimate extinction.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3914433/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Secession Excitement: Letter from Hon. John Bell – 2-3
Our Own Correspondence – 3-5
Latest Reports from the South – 5-6
The Navy and Secession – 6
The Slave-Trade – 6
Markets by Telegraph – 6
Philadelphia Stock Board – 6
Passengers Sailed, Passengers Arrived – 6

[BillyBoy]

John Bell, 1860: Hi! I’m John Bell, the Presidential nominee of the Constitution Union Party. I’m neutral on slavery! My position is simply that the Union MUST be preserved at all costs, no matter what. I don’t believe in secession.

John Bell, 1861: Nevermind.

[Impy]

LOL