Disunion Feed

Louisville Daily Courier @LouisvilleCourierDec 20, 1860 · Louisville, Ky.

The border-state men would give up everything freemen hold dear to keep the Union — or fasten these States on as the tail of the Northern Confederacy. They complain of the "precipitancy" of the Cotton States. But the Cotton States owe it to themselves to secure themselves now.

Original passage & context
"Those in the border Slave States who are willing to give up everything that freemen should hold dear, to maintain the existing Union, and, if that cannot be done, desire to fasten these States on as the tail of the Northern Confederacy, complain bitterly of what they call the precipitancy of the Cotton States [...] The Cotton States [...] owe it to their own citizens and the world to secure themselves now."

A border-state (Kentucky) fire-eater defends South Carolina's "precipitancy" and scorns the conditional Unionists who would make the border South "the tail of the Northern Confederacy." Via the AHA "Sixteen Months to Sumter" reproduction of Dumond's Southern Editorials on Secession.

Next in order

Cleveland Daily Plain Dealer @ClevelandPlainDealer · Cleveland, Ohio

The Revolution has begun — one of the "Original Thirteen" is to-day out of the Union. A whole State has revolted! It inaugurates political revolution and precipitates civil war. All this talk of Compromises can only stay the dissolution, not prevent it. Mark what we say.

Original passage & context
"The Revolution has begun—one of the "Original Thirteen" States, by a solemn ordinance, unanimously passed by a delegated Convention of her Sovereign people, is to-day out of the Union. A whole State has revolted! [...] It is startling because it inaugurates political revolution and precipitates civil war [...] All this talk about Compromise Lines, Committees and Compromises can only stay the dissolution, not prevent it. Mark what we say."

A Northern Democratic paper the morning after — no celebration, only dread: South Carolina's exit is real revolution and coming civil war, and no compromise scheme can now prevent dissolution. Via the AHA "Sixteen Months to Sumter."

Where this sits

America has argued itself to the edge before. The words come from 1854–1861; the arguments are the ones we are still having.

One passage from the secession winter, Nov 9, 1860 – Apr 13, 1861 — 54 posts, each linked to its primary source.

Part of 134 verified passages across 5 flashpoints, Jan 6, 1854 – Apr 13, 1861 — read the feed from the start.

How this was made