(b) What is meant by the term Nullification?

(c) The Doctrine of States' Rights.

5. (a) Describe the great debate on this subject.

(b) In this debate, what part did each of the following take: Clay, Calhoun, Webster?

(c) Who were the other speakers in this debate?

(d) What was the effect of the debate?

6. What was the Kansas-Nebraska Act?

7. What was the Free Soil Party? The Know-Nothing Party?

8. Give a description of the settlement of Kansas.

9. What is meant by the Kansas War?

10. What was the Dred Scott Decision?

State the effect.

11. Give an account of the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

12. Tell something of John Brown's attack on Harper's Ferry.

REFERENCES

Spillman Seeking the Golden Fleece.

Spring: Kansas.

Brown Lower South in American History.

Phillips Georgia and States Rights.

Mumford: Virginia's Attitude toward Slavery and Secession.

CHAPTER XXI

A NEW CONFEDERACY

Presidential Election. In May, 1860, the Republican Party held a convention in Chicago, and nominated Abraham Lincoln, of Illinois, and Hannibal Hamlin, of Maine. The party adopted a platform declaring for the Union of the states, admitting the right of each state to control its own "domestic institutions"; in other words, legislate as it pleased regarding slavery, advocating the expulsion of the institution of slavery from the territories, and recommending the admission of Kansas on the Topeka constitution. The party also declared for a higher tariff and revived the Whig policy of internal improvements. This platform met with hearty approval in many sections of the North.

Division of the Democrats. The Democrats met in Charleston, but there was a division in their ranks and the meeting was disbanded without the adoption of a platform. Later both divisions met in separate conventions in Baltimore. One adopted the principles of popular sovereignty as their platform and selected Stephen A. Douglas, of Illinois, for President, and Herschel V. Johnson, of Georgia, for Vice President. The other Democratic Party stood for the Dred Scott Decision, and organized a platform for the protection of Southern States' Rights. Their candidate was John C. Breckinridge, of Kentucky.

Fourth Party. The country was so widely divided on these issues that a fourth faction was formed under the name of the "Constitutional Union " Party. They nomi

nated John Bell, of Tennessee, and Edward Everett, of Massachusetts. They made no reference to slavery, but adopted the platform, "The Constitution, the Union of the states, and the enforcement of the laws." The election was one of the most bitter in the history of our country. Strong sectional feelings raged on both sides. The country seemed more divided than ever before.

Lincoln Elected. - Lincoln was elected, having carried all of the northern and western states except New Jersey. There were few

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

not united on all

of the issues of

the time, but there was one point of common interest and that was the opposition to the domination of the Republican Party. The leaders of the South feared the outcome of the policy that the new administration might put into effect.

Secession of South Carolina. The strongest feeling was expressed in South Carolina. As soon as the election returns were known, this state called a convention to consider separation from the Union. The convention assem

bled in Columbia, but later removed to Charleston, where active measures for the withdrawal from the Union were made. The state militia was increased by the organization of new companies. Federal buildings were declared to be a part of the state property. All the South Carolinians holding government positions, as well as the Congressmen, resigned. Representatives of the convention were sent to other states to invite consideration of an act of secession. On December 20, 1860, the convention unanimously adopted an ordinance of secession, declaring that the Union between South Carolina and the other states was dissolved.

New Compromises. When the news of South Carolina's secession from the Union was received in Washington, President Buchanan hesitated about what course he should follow. He was not in sympathy with the movement, but he felt that he had no right, under the Constitution, to prevent it. Lewis Cass, the Secretary of State, advised the President to use force in stopping secession. When he refused to do so, Cass resigned.

John B. Floyd, Secretary of War, advocated the cause of South Carolina, and urged that the President grant South Carolina the right to control Fort Sumter. President Buchanan also refused to do this and Floyd resigned.

The moment was most critical. Finally the President sent a message to Congress, and brought the question formally before the Senate and the House. Congress attempted to bring about a reconciliation. Many compromises were proposed and in turn rejected. The most prominent of these was one brought forward by John C. Crittenden, of Kentucky. It recommended that the Missouri Compromise line should be extended across the continent, thus extending the division of slaveholding and free territory; it also proposed that the "Personal Liberty Laws should be declared unconstitutional." But this compromise fell

through and the movement for secession went forward. During the month of January these states followed the example of South Carolina: Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana.

Peace Congress. At this critical moment, Virginia led a movement for peace among the disorganized states. The "Peace Congress," as it was called, was opened in Washington, on February 4, 1861. Representatives from twenty-six states were present. Here resolutions were adopted. But the time was too late. The southern states that had withdrawn from the Union were sending their delegates to Montgomery, Alabama, where a convention was to be held that was to draft a new constitution for a new nation.

Confederacy Formed. The convention held in Montgomery organized the seceded states into "The Confererate States of America " and adopted a constitution which was similar in general construction to the United States Constitution, but which omitted those features that were unsatisfactory. It provided for a six-year term for the President, and limited the powers of the central government. Jefferson Davis, of Mississippi, was elected President; and Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia, Vice President. Montgomery was selected as the capital.

The Inauguration of Lincoln. Just one month following the organization of the Confederate States, President Lincoln was inaugurated. In his address on this occasion he expressed the following sentiments: that "The Union of the states is perpetual . . . that no state upon its own mere motion can lawfully get out of the Union. I shall take care . . . that the laws of the Union be faithfully executed in all the States."

"The power confided in me will be used to hold, occupy, and possess the property and places belonging to the government, and to collect the duties and imposts; but beyond what may be necessary for these objects there will be no