You know of the election of
Lincoln, and how this beloved state of ours, seeking peace, voted for
neither Lincoln nor Breckinridge, both of whom are its sons."
The trembling of his voice increased and he paused again. It was
obvious that he was stirred by deep emotion and it communicated itself
to the boys. Harry was conscious that the thrill, longer and stronger
than before, ran again through the room.
"I have just received a letter from an old friend in Charleston,"
continued Dr. Russell in a shaking voice, "and he tells me that on the
twentieth, three days ago, the state of South Carolina seceded from the
Union. He also sends me copies of two of the Charleston newspapers of
the day following. In both of these papers all despatches from the
other states are put under the head, 'Foreign News.' With the
Abolitionists of New England pouring abuse upon all who do not agree
with them, and the hot heads of South Carolina rushing into violence,
God alone knows what will happen to this distracted country that all
of us love so well."
He turned anew to his correspondence. But Harry saw that he was
trembling all over. An excited murmur arose. The boys began to talk
about the news, and the principal, his thoughts far away, did not call
them to order.
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