These views in the South concerning co-operation of Southern States in common policy were exceedingly popular during November and December, 1860. Their popularity, however, was decreased by the open opposition to any compromise by the controlling radical element in the victorious new party. The conciliatory voice of the commercial interests, and the pathetic pleadings of such men as those who had assembled in various Northern cities to allay the unseemly strife, were drowned by the cry that the party which had won the fight must dictate the policy of its administration. It was further answered that the action of a convention of States to secede together, would be a combination violating the expressed prohibitions of the Constitution, and that there was, according to the judgment of jurists, no legal secession except by separate State ordinance. Disunion by separate secession, therefore, grew rapidly in the favor of several States before the date of Carolina’s ordinance of secession.
The month of November was crowded with significant events, which maybe mentioned in brief terms: In accordance with its own law the legislature of South Carolina met November 5th to choose its presidential electors, but the absorbing question was the course the State should pursue. Resolutions were offered in the Senate proposing secession by co-operation with other States which were supported by a few members. (Am. Conflict, 333, 335.) Meanwhile an inspection of the forts was going on by orders of Mr. Floyd, secretary of war, who was known to be opposed to secession. (Records, II, 70, 74, 76.) The United States officers in Forts Moultrie and Sumter displayed unusual activity in work upon their respective positions. The Georgia legislature met on the 8th and the message of its governor foreshadowed to South Carolina the co-operation of his State. Mr. Stephens threw all his influence against secession in a speech of remarkable power, and opened an
