Document #1 On June 16, 1858 more than 1,000 delegates met in the Springfield, Illinois, statehouse for
the Republican State Convention. At 5:00 p.m. they chose Abraham Lincoln as their candidate for the U.S.
Senate, running against Democrat Stephen A. Douglas. At 8:00 p.m. Lincoln delivered this address to his
Republican colleagues in the Hall of Representatives. The title reflects part of the speech's introduction,
"A house divided against itself cannot stand," a concept familiar to Lincoln's audience as a statement by
Jesus recorded in all three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke).
….Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention.If we could first know where we are, and whither we
are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it. We are now far into
the fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an
end to slavery agitation. Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only, not ceased, but
has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and
passed. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure,
permanently half slave and half free. I do not expect the Union to be dissolved -- I do not expect the
house to fall -- but I do expect it will cease to be divided. It will become all one thing or all the other.
Either the opponents of slavery, will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind
shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward,
till it shall become alike lawful in all the States, old as well as new -- North as well as South. Have we
no tendency to the latter condition? Let any one who doubts, carefully contemplate that now almost
complete legal combination -- piece of machinery so to speak -- compounded of the Nebraska doctrine,
and the Dred Scott decision. Let him consider not only what work the machinery is adapted to do,
and how well adapted; but also, let him study the history of its construction, and trace, if he can, or
rather fail, if he can, to trace the evidence of design and concert of action, among its chief architects,
from the beginning.
Document #2- Resolution to Call the Election of Abraham Lincoln as U.S. President a Hostile Act and to
Communicate to Other Southern States South Carolina’s Desire to Secede from the Union. 9 November
1860
That this General Assembly is satisfied that Abram Lincoln has already been elected President of the United
States, and that said election has been based upon principles of open and avowed hostility to the social
organization and peculiar interests of the slave holding states of this Confederacy.
Resolved, that it is the sense of this General Assembly that South Carolina is now ready to dissolve her connection
with the government of the United States, and earnestly desires and hereby solicits the cooperation of her sister
slave-holding states in such movement.
Resolved, that the Governor be requested forth with to forward a copy of the foregoing resolutions to the
Governor of each of the slave-holding states of this confederacy, with the request that it may be submitted to
their respective Legislatures.
Document #3 – A letter from Zebulon B. Vance To William Dickson, December 11, 1860
The Whole Southern mind is inflamed to the highest pitch and the leaders in the disunion move are scorning
every suggestion of compromise and rushing everything with ruinous and indecent haste that would seem to
imply that they were absolute fools — Yet they are acting wisely for their ends — they are “precipitating” the
people into a revolution without giving them time to think — They fear lest the people shall think… But the
people must think, and when they do begin to think and hear the matter properly discussed they will consider
long and soberly before they tear down this noble fabric and invite anarchy and confusion, carnage, civil war,
and financial ruin with the breathless hurry of men flying from pestilence.… If we go out now we can’t take
the army and the navy with us, and Lincoln could as easily employ them to force us back as he could to
prevent our going out.… We have everything to gain and nothing on earth to lose by delay, but by too hasty
action we may take a fatal step that we never can retrace — may lose a heritage that we can never recover
‘though we seek it earnestly and with tears.’
Document #4 – Abraham Lincoln’s Proclamation to all states to raise a volunteer army of 75,000
troops, April 15th, 1861
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES:
A PROCLAMATION
WHEREAS the laws of the United States have been, for some time past, and now are opposed, and the
execution thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of judicial
proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law.
Now, therefore, I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, in virtue of the power in me vested by
the Constitution and the laws, have thought fit to call forth, and hereby do call forth, the militia of the several
States of the Union, to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress said
combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly executed.
The details for this object will be immediately communicated to the State authorities through the War
Department.
I appeal to all loyal citizens to favor, facilitate, and aid this effort to maintain the honor, the integrity, and the
existence of our National Union, and the perpetuity of popular government; and to redress wrongs already
long enough endured. I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth
will probably be to repossess the forts, places, and property which have been seized from the Union; and in
every event, the utmost care will be observed, consistently with the objects aforesaid, to avoid any
devastation, any destruction of, or interference with, property, or any disturbance of peaceful citizens in any
part of the country.
And I hereby command the persons composing the combinations aforesaid to disperse, and retire peaceably
to their respective abodes within twenty days from this date.
Deeming that the present condition of public affairs presents an extraordinary occasion, I do hereby, in virtue
of the power in me vested by the Constitution, convene both Houses of Congress. Senators and
Representatives are therefore summoned to assemble at their respective chambers, at twelve o'clock, noon,
on Thursdays the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as, in their
wisdom, the public safety and interest may seem to demand.
By the President:ABRAHAM LINCOLN
Secretary of State WILLIAM H. SEWARD
Document 5 – Governor John Ellis’ telegram reply to President Lincoln’s Call for 75,000 volunteers, April
15, 1861
"Your dispatch is received, and if genuine, which its extraordinary character leads me to doubt, I have to say in
reply, that I regard the levy of troops made by the administration for the purpose of subjugating the states
of the South, as a violation of the Constitution, and as a gross usurpation of power. I can be no
party to this wicked violation of the laws of the country and to this war upon the liberties of a free
people. You can get no troops from North Carolina."
Document 6- Two letters from Jonathan Worth after Lincoln’s decision
To Springs, Oak & Co., May 13, 1861
I have been the most persevering and determined public man in my State to preserve the Union — the last
to abandon the hope, that the good sense of the Nation would prevent a collision between the extremes,
each of which I viewed with equal abhorrence. I am left no other alternative but to fight for or against my
section. I can not hesitate. Lincoln has made us a unit to resist until we repel our invaders or die.
To D. G. Worth, May 15, 1861
I think the South is committing suicide, but my lot is cast with the South and being unable to manage the
ship, I intend to face the breakers manfully and go down with my companions.