-which was true-that England had forced it upon her; and in fear and trembling she awaited a doom that she deemed inevitable.

"But a few bold spirits took the question up,-they compelled the South to investigate it anew, and thoroughly, and what is the result? Why, it would be difficult to find a Southern man, who feels the system to be the lightest burden on his conscience; who does not, in fact, regard it as an equal advantage to the master and the slave,-elevating both,-as wealth, strength, and power, and as one of the main pillars and controlling influences of modern civilization, and who is not now prepared to maintain it at every hazard?"

It was with these views distinctly avowed and earnestly enforced, that the rebels undertook to break up the Government of the United States, and reorganize upon the basis of slavery established in all its States and Territories. At their leisure, and with long deliberation, they had arranged everything to their mind, to paralyze the power which they would have to encounter, when they were ready for the outbreak. And when the crisis. came, and the great catastrophe burst suddenly upon us, the country, for a moment, was stupefied by the magnitude and audacity of the assault, and at the vast ramifications of the conspiracy.

As soon, however, as the Free North, all absorbed as it was in the great pursuits of peaceful industry, had time to comprehend the true state of the case, the nation arose as one man to meet the emergency. The plan of intercepting the President elect, on his way to Washington, or of otherwise preventing his inauguration, failed. The proposed attempt to seize the Capital was prevented by the energy of the Government, in providing the means of defense. The Northern friends of the slave power found themselves unable to carry any considerable portion of the Northern people with them, in sustaining the rebellion. The officers of the navy and army, who were prepared to betray their trusts, were dismissed. An immense force was called into the field to meet the insurgents. The plan of invading the Northern States had to be abandoned; and then the conspirators, thus unexpectedly frustrated, fell back within their own States, relinquishing, for a time at least, the idea of a revolution in the Government, and assuming the plan of a simple secession.

Now they affirmed, that all they intended was a peaceful withdrawal from a government which they did not like; all they wanted was to be "let alone;" and the attempt of the National Government to repossess itself of territory, forts, and arsenals, bought and built with its own money, and which had been traitorously and insultingly seized by the rebels, was complained of as "a ruthless invasion of the rights of an innocent and unoffending people."

On the 7th of January the "Dispatch" of Richmond, Virginia, announced that Virginia was already prepared efficiently to arm 25,000 troops; and that she had at least sixty bronze and rifled field pieces and howitzers. The editor added, "A contract has been made for 3,000 shells and shrapnells, in addition to those purchased with the Parrot guns. Five hundred barrels of Dupont powder have been purchased, and stored in magazines built for the purpose. The model of a new Vir

ginia musket is determined upon. Other warlike preparations are also in progress."

Previous to this there had been the evacuation of Fort Moultrie, in Charleston harbor, and the retreat of the garrison to Fort Sumter. We must now recur to the opening of the war at Charleston. There were three forts, belonging to the United States, erected for the defense of that harbor. Fort Moultrie was on Sullivan's Island, so called, though it was hardly separated from the main land. The fort consisted of an enclosed water battery. It mounted 54 guns, which commanded the water; the fort was but feebly protected from attack on the land side.

In the middle of the bay, entirely surrounded by water, rose the massive buttresses of Fort Sumter. It was deemed one of the most magnificent of the fortifications of our coast, built in an octagonal form, constructed upon the most approved principles of modern military science, richly supplied with all the munitions of war, and mounting 140 guns, many of them 10-inch columbiads of very extensive range.

There was still another small fort near the city, called Castle Pinkney, built on the extremity of a narrow tongue of land. It mounted about twenty guns, most of them eighteen and twenty-four pounders.

The United States Government owned also an important arsenal in Charleston, which Secretary Floyd had amply replenished with arms and munitions of war. Seventy thousand stand of arms, this traitorous Secretary had deposited in this arsenal, and then, by an official dispatch, had placed the arsenal in the hands of the rebel Governor of South Carolina, for safe keeping. It was thus taken possession of early in December. Major Robert Anderson, with but two companies of artillery, was stationed in Fort Moultrie, and was intrusted with the protection of all the forts. With so small a band, in that exposed position, he could hardly protect himself for an hour against the formidable force which Charleston could throw upon him. As the menaces of war grew louder, and he witnessed the preparations made for an attack, he, in the darkness of the night of December 25th, quietly abandoned Moultrie, taking the precaution first to spike the guns, and burn the gun-carriages. The troops, who had received no intimation of the movement, at midnight were embarked in row boats, and transported to Sumter. The tumult in Charleston created by this unexpected movement, was only equaled by the joy it enkindled in the hearts of all loyal people throughout the land. It seemed to touch every patriotic heart as with an electric spark. The Boston Courier expressed the universal sentiment in the words:

"We must own that the news of the transaction in Charleston harbor was learned by us yesterday with a prouder beating of the heart. We could not but feel once more, that we had a country, a fact which has been, to a certain degree, in suspense for some weeks past. What is given up for the moment is of no consequence, provided this one point stand out clear, that the United States means to maintain its position, where its rights exist, and that its officers, civil and military, intend to discharge their duty. The concentration of the disposable force in Charleston harbor, in a defensible post, is thus a bond of union."

President Buchanan contemplated this movement with characteristic inefficiency, neither approving nor condemning. But Secretary Floyd had the unparalleled audacity to send a communication to the President, in which he says, in earnest remonstrance against this movement, “One remedy is left, and that is to withdraw the garrison from the harbor of Charleston. I hope the President will allow me to make that order at once. This order, in my judgment, can alone prevent bloodshed and civil war.”

As the President refused to be an accomplice in surrendering the forts of the United States to the enemy, Mr. Floyd resigned his secretaryship. There was nothing more he could do to assist the rebels, in that position, and he hastened to draw his sword beneath their flag. He was received with acclaim, and placed in high command.

Before the dawn of the morning, Major Anderson, and his little band of about eighty soldiers, were safely within the walls of Sumter. Most of the men who have developed heroism in this war have been men of piety and of prayer. It was the sense of duty which inspired the heart of Major Anderson. The imposing scene of raising the Stars and Stripes over Sumter is thus described by an eye-witness:

"A short time before noon, Major Anderson assembled the whole of his little force, with the workmen employed on the fort, around the foot of the flag-staff. The national ensign was attached to the cord, and Major Anderson, holding the ends of the lines in his hands, knelt reverently down. The officers, soldiers, and men clustered around, many of them on their knees, all deeply impressed with the solemnity of the scene. The chaplain made an earnest prayer-such an appeal for support, encouragement, and mercy as one would make, who felt that 'Man's extremity is God's opportunity. As the earnest, solemn words of the speaker ceased, and the men responded Amen, with a fervency that perhaps they had never before experienced, Major Anderson drew the 'Star-spangled Banner' up to the top of the staff, the band broke out with the national air of 'Hail Columbia,' and loud and exultant cheers, repeated again and again, were given by officers, soldiers, and workmen. If," said the narrator, "South Carolina had at that moment attacked the fort, there would have been no hesitation upon the part of any man within it about defending that flag."

The most vigorous efforts were immediately made by the rebels for the capture of the fort, while President Buchanan, still intent upon compromise, would not consent to any corresponding preparations for its defense. The conspirators took prompt possession of Forts Moultrie and Pinkney, garrisoned them strongly, remounted the dismantled guns, and turned them upon Sumter, erected batteries, mailed with railroad iron, upon every point commanding the fort, filled the batteries with the heaviest guns used in modern warfare, many of which were obtained from England, and constructed a very formidable floating battery, cased in iron, which at their leisure they towed out, and anchored in the most eligible spot for assailing the fort. All these operations Major Anderson was compelled to look upon, day after day, without being permitted to fire a gun to disturb those thus working for his certain destruction.

After very earnest entreaty on the part of the friends of the Union, who

were gradually taking the places, in the Cabinet, of the traitors who resigned, President Buchanan consented to send an unarmed steamer, the Star of the West, with supplies and a reënforcement of 250 men, to the beleaguered fort. But Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi, was still Secretary of the Interior, and watching with an eagle eye that he might apprise the rebels of every movement of the government. It was hoped that a merchant steamer, sailing unannounced from New York, might glide into the harbor, and land the men and supplies without provoking bloodshed. But Jacob Thompson instantly telegraphed the fact to the rebels in Charleston. They had their batteries all ready, the guns shotted, and the gunners at their post. Small steamers were stationed far down the harbor, to announce the first appearance of the Star of the West.

It was about 7 o'clock in the morning of the 9th of January, when the steamer approached the harbor. As they were moving rapidly along in the channel, about half a mile from Morris Island, a masked battery suddenly opened fire upon them. The heavy shot fell thickly around the ship. One just missed the pilot house. Another, with its unearthly shriek, passed between the smoke-stack and walking beam. Another struck the ship just abaft the fore rigging, leaving a deep scar, but not passing through. Another narrowly escaped carrying away the rudder.

For about five minutes the ship was thus under fire. It was two miles to Fort Sumter. It was necessary to pass within point blank range of all the formidable guns of Fort Moultrie; and at the same time an armed schooner was in tow of a steamer from Fort Moultrie to cut off their retreat. The defenseless merchantman had not a single gun. Capture or destruction was inevitable, if the ship continued on its course. After a moment of intense suspense, the captain, McGowan, shouted "Helm a-port !" In a short curve the steamer turned on its track, and the Stars and Stripes, thus humiliated, were driven from Charleston, South Carolina, the battery keeping up a constant fire. The indignation of the community was roused to the highest pitch. But the nation was helpless. President Buchanan held still the reins of government.

While the excitement was thus rapidly deepening and extending, the 4th of March drew nigh, when the President elect was to be inaugurated in Washington. Rumors filled the air, that he was to be assassinated on his passage through the Slave State of Maryland. Great anxiety was felt for his safety, as the desperate character of a portion of the populace in Baltimore, through which city he would naturally pass, was well known. On the 11th of February he left his home in Springfield, Illinois, intending to make a brief visit in the leading cities on his route. In the following touching address he took leave of his fellow-citizens at the railroad depot:

"My friends! No one, not in my position, can appreciate the sadness I feel at this parting. To this people I owe all that I am. Here I have lived more than a quarter of a century. Here my children were born, and here one of them lies buried. I know not how soon I shall see you again. A duty devolves upon me which is perhaps greater than that which has devolved upon any other man since the days of Washington. He never would have succeeded, except for the aid of Divine Providence, upon which

he, at all times, relied. I feel that I can not succeed without the same Divine aid which sustained him. In the same Almighty Being I place my reliance for support, and I hope you, my friends, will all pray that I may receive that Divine assistance, without which I can not succeed, but with which, success is certain. Again I bid you all an affectionate farewell."

A few select friends, citizens and officers of the United States army, accompanied him. Multitudes were gathered at every railroad station, in the Free States, to greet him with shouts, and his progress was a constant ovation. At Indianapolis his arrival was announced with the booming of cannon, the ringing of bells, and all possible demonstrations of popular rejoicing. The State Legislature, then in session, met him at the station, and joined in the cortège, as he was conducted in a carriage drawn by four white horses, to the hotel. From the balcony he addressed the crowd in one of those happy speeches for which he has ever been so remarkable. The same splendor of reception and popular enthusiasm met him at every city on his route.

At Cincinnati the crowd was so great as to block up the passage of the railroad train. The "Stars and Stripes" floated everywhere; and the city had never before witnessed so imposing a cavalcade. From the balcony of the Burnet House he addressed the vast crowd surging in the streets. The Slave State of Kentucky was just across the river, and many Kentuckians, who had voted against him, were present. In a playful manner he said to them:

"You, perhaps, want to know what we will do with you. I will tell you, so far as I am authorized to speak for the opposition. We mean to treat you, as nearly as possible, as Washington, Jefferson, and Madison treated you. We mean to leave you alone, and in no way to interfere with your institutions; to abide by all and every compromise of the Constitution. We mean to remember that you are as good as we; that there is no difference between us other than the difference of circumstances. We mean to recognize and bear in mind always, that you have as good hearts in your bosoms as other people, or as we claim to have, and treat you accordingly."

At Columbus, the capital of Ohio, the enthusiasm was equally conspicuous. Here the President was informed by telegraph of the peaceful counting of the electoral votes in Washington, and of the official announcement of his elevation to the chief magistracy. From Columbus he proceded to Pittsburg, Penn., by the way of Steubenville. Notwithstanding a severe storm, an immense crowd had congregated in front of his hotel. He addressed them in strains which elicited boundless applause. From Pittsburg he turned his steps north to Cleveland and Buffalo. At this latter city he was received by ex-President Millard Fillmore, and the crowd here was so great, and the pressure to get sight of the illustrious guest so intense, that it was with much difficulty the police could clear the way to the carriages. In the address here made he said:

"Your worthy Mayor has thought fit to express the hope that I shall be able to relieve the country from the present, or I should say the threatened,