THE NATIONAL CRISIS: CALMING EFFECT OF MR. SEWARD’S SPEECH; Editorials-Mr. Seward’s Speech, Fort Sumter and Captain McGowan; REPORTS FROM SPRINGFIELD (1/14/1861)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 1/14/1861

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WASHINGTON, Sunday, Jan. 13.

To-day, has been the quietest that we have had here for a month.

Mr. SEWARD's speech, despite the articles in the Constitution, which denounces it in unmeasured phrase, has had a decidedly soothing effect and is doing much good, Mr. CRITTENDEN declares that it is in the right direction, patriotic and statesmanlike.

The Southern extremists insist that it offers nothing, but the more moderate confess that it reassures the South as to the purposes of the incoming Administration, and indicates that there is no insuperable obstacle to the South getting constitutional guarantee against Northern interference with Slavery in the States, and some amicable mode of settling the Territorial question.

The best effect of the speech is to allay irritation and enable all parties to reflect on a future course.

The most troublesome issue now relates to Fort Sumter.

It was announced to-day that no reinforcements will be sent to that point at present, as they are not needed; but I have good reason to believe it to be the settled purpose of the Administration to vindicate the flag of the Union, by sending, as soon as the Department can be properly arranged, the means. The chief difficulty is the scarcity of war vessels suited to this emergency.

It is not considered imperative to retake at present the many forts at other Southern points, which it will burden the States to maintain, but the feeling is strong that Government cannot, with honor, remain driven out of Charleston harbor since the unsuccessful effort to enter already made.

[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.
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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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The National Crisis: Calming Effect of Mr. Seward’s Speech – 2-5
Editorial: Mr. Seward’s Speech – 5-6
Editorial: Fort Sumter and Captain McGowan – 6-7
Editorial: Disunion Leading the Way – 7
Mr. Lincoln and Negro Equality – 7
Reports from Springfield: The President Elect and his Visitors – 7-8
Another Interview with Mr. Lincoln: His Opinion of Compromise – 8
A Word to the People of Connecticut – 8
Of Doubtful Utility – 8
A Slander Refuted – 8
The American at Boston – 8