My friends, no one not in my situation can appreciate my feeling of sadness at this parting. To this place and the kindness of these people I owe everything. Here I have lived for a quarter of a century, and have passed from a young man to an old man. Here my children have been born, and one is buried. I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than that which rested upon Washington. Without the assistance of that Divine Being who ever attended him, I cannot succeed. With that assistance I cannot fail. Trusting in Him who can go with me and remain with you and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.In Montgomery, Alabama, Alexander Stephens was sworn in as the vice president of the Confederate States of America.
Showing posts with label Alexander Stephens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alexander Stephens. Show all posts
Friday, February 11, 2011
February 11, 1861: Lincoln Leaves Springfield
On Monday, February 11, 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln boarded a train in Springfield, Illinois, bound for Washington. The train left Springfield at 8 a.m.. Before departing, Lincoln addressed his hometown crowd for the final time:
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
February 9, 1861: The Confederate President
On Saturday, February 9, 1861, Jefferson Davis of Mississippi was elected provisional president of the Confederate States of America. Alexander Stephens of Georgia was elected vice president.
There were no nominating conventions and no popular vote. The executive officers of the Confederacy were chosen in the proverbial smoke-filled rooms by the 38 delegates to the convention of seceded states. The votes were cast by states; each delegation cast one vote.
By unspoken agreement the delegates shied away from the radical fire-eaters who had done so much to drive the Deep South states out of the Union. They wanted to show the border states and the world that this was a nation of moderate men who had no choice but to leave the Union and form their own government.
In Tennessee, voters rejected a proposal to call a state convention to consider secession. The proposal was defeated by a vote of 68,282 to 59,449, with most of the pro-Union vote coming from the mountainous eastern part of the state.
At Pensacola, Florida, the U.S.S. Brooklyn arrived with supplies and reinforcements for Fort Pickens. These were not landed; the federal government and the State of Florida had reached an agreement that no changes would be made on either side.
There were no nominating conventions and no popular vote. The executive officers of the Confederacy were chosen in the proverbial smoke-filled rooms by the 38 delegates to the convention of seceded states. The votes were cast by states; each delegation cast one vote.
By unspoken agreement the delegates shied away from the radical fire-eaters who had done so much to drive the Deep South states out of the Union. They wanted to show the border states and the world that this was a nation of moderate men who had no choice but to leave the Union and form their own government.
In Tennessee, voters rejected a proposal to call a state convention to consider secession. The proposal was defeated by a vote of 68,282 to 59,449, with most of the pro-Union vote coming from the mountainous eastern part of the state.
At Pensacola, Florida, the U.S.S. Brooklyn arrived with supplies and reinforcements for Fort Pickens. These were not landed; the federal government and the State of Florida had reached an agreement that no changes would be made on either side.
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