Memoirs of John Adams Dix; comp. by his son, Morgan Dix.

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MEMOIRS OF JOHN ADAMS DIX.

spirit of fraternal concord, to consult and labor for their
common prosperity and fame."
The election of Mr. Lincoln, November 6, 1860, was the
beginning of the end. The Southern leaders had agreed to
regard that event as a signal that the Union could be maintained no longer. Nothing could have prevented it except
a consolidation of the Democratic forces, North and South,
which was impossible. Action soon followed: on the 20th of
December the State of South Carolina adopted an ordinance
of secession. On the 4th of February, 1861, precisely one
month before the time fixed by the Constitution of the United
States for the inauguration of President Lincoln, a convention
held at Montgomery, in Alabama, announced to the world the
existence of the " CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA."
There is something almost pathetic in the history of the
efforts which were made, during the progress of those startling
and sinister events, to avert, if possible, the coming shock.
The state of public feeling became more intense from day
to day; and, as the outline of the terrible future was more
plainly revealed, recourse was had to every action by which it
was thought possible to propitiate a threatening Deity or to
conciliate angry men. Friday, the 4th of January, was designated, by proclamation from Washington, for observance as a
day of humiliation, fasting, and prayer that it might please
Almighty God to avert the horrors which seemed to be closing darkly around the path of the nation. Bishops issued their
pastoral letters to the clergy and laity of their flocks, and set
forth special offices for the occasion; church doors stood open
all day long; fathers gathered their households together about
the home altar-one great petition for help went up to Heaven. Meanwhile, citizens of repute and influence were engaged
in strenuous efforts to bring estranged brethren to a better
mind, to calm wild passion, and to exorcise the spectre of Civil
War. Among the notable movements of the hour may be
mentioned the introduction of the " Compromise Resolutions "