Election of 1860

Election of 1860

December 15, 1860

Richmond, Virginia

Dear Diary,




Oh I am so happy! But I feel that my joy might be hanged, drowned or shot if it becomes known. Today Richmond buzzed with the election of President Lincoln, a negative one though. I heard shouting when I woke up this morning, and when I found the paper, I knew why. I snuck into my mother’s room with breakfast and the paper to wake her up. She was delighted! She and I talked excitedly as a servant re-kindled her fire. She was so glad that we may see the end of slavery. My she sat me down and told me very clearly,
     “I know this seems like good news now, Lizzy, but we need to be careful. The whole state disagrees with us, and I think you need to stop voicing your opinions so loudly. I do think there will be a war Lizzy, and I think that we will be stuck in the middle of it.”
     “Don’t worry mama,” I told her,I’ll be careful.” I told her.

     "I don’t believe that for a second.” She laughed.

     Mama was right. I knew that there was going to be trouble. I’m sure that almost everyone in the south was upset about the news. The baker told me in November that Lincoln hadn’t even been on the ballots! Oh I wish I could say that I cast a vote for him, but I’m glad that enough of our country did.

     Lincoln stated that, “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.” I know that with all of the tension here, the Union has a very likely chance of being dissolved. Folks all over will be talking about succeeding, and with the sheer number of people discontent with this Free Soiler, The south will have no trouble raising an army if necessary.

     I don’t see though how Mama thinks that I can stay quiet about my support for our soon to be president. I know no one wants to hear my opinions, but I will be sure most here get an earful. To silence myself would be like putting a lid on a boiling pot. I know many people will not take me seriously, what harm could a woman like me do? I’ll find out some way to make sure that Lincoln’s ideas become reality.

(Britannica Image Quest)