Unionism versus Secessionism in Virginia: From Lincoln's Election to Sumter

Group One Articles

 
The Spectator, January 22, 1861, p. 1, c. 3

It came to us in darkness
It came to us through blood;
It shone out like the "Promise
Of God" upon the flood.
A Beacon--it has served us
With true, unerring flame,
And cast a blaze of glory
Upon our nation's name!
God save our noble Union!

'Twas left us by our fathers,
Those souls of priceless worth--
The noblest types of manhood
That ever walked the earth.
'Twas bought with fearful struggles,
By sacrifice sublime,
And stands a proud momento
For all the coming time--
God save the noble Union!

Our land a waste of nature,
Where beast and savage strayed;
Its wealth of lakes and rivers
Unlocked by keys of trade;
Then sunlike rose the Union--
A terror to our foes--
And lo! this "waste of nature"
Now "blossoms as the rose!"
God save our noble Union!

Where earth lay hid for ages
In deep primeval gloom,
Behold a boundless garden--
A continent in bloom!
With iron bands of railroads,
Electric tongues of wire,
And energies within us
Which time shall never tire--
God save the noble Union!

But now upon our heaven
Are signs of coming storms;
And dark unholy passions
Unfold their hideous forms.
The bravest hearts among us
Are filled with doubt and fear;
While sounds of horrid discord
Are grating on our ear--
God save the noble Union!

The hallowed flag that bore us
So proudly through the wars--
Is there a hand would sever
Its sisterhood of stars!
Great God! can we so blindly
Cast all Thy gifts away?
Or throbs there in this nation
One heart that will not pray--
God save our noble Union!

 
Questions to Answer

1. For what audience was the document written?

 
2. What was the purpose of the document?

 
3. What historical facts are necessary to understand the document?

 
4. What does the author mean when he writes that the Union was "left us by our fathers?"

 
5. Who do "our fathers" represent? how are they described?

 
6. According to the poet, what positive accomplishments has the Union made possible?

 
7. What does the author mean when he writes "but now upon our heaven/Are sings of comings storms/And dark unholy passions/Unfold their hideous forms?"

 
Article Two

The Spectator, March 19, 1861, p. 1, c. 3

A Southern gentleman who resides in Augusta, Ga., writes thus:--"If the South were merely let alone for six months, we would probably try at the next general election to get back. The new tariff will open both eyes and pockets; 3 to 4 cents per pound on c heese, 4 to 5 cents on butter, 2 to 2 1/2 cents on sugar, 2 1/2 to 25 cents on tobacco, affect every one, and that sensibly. Prices have advanced and are still ascending. Our regular army has 140 enlisted in this city, and as many in Savannah. Nine-tenths of our youth go constantly armed, and the common use of deadly weapons is quite disregarded. No control can be exercised over a lad after he is fourteen or fifteen. He becomes MR. So-and-so, and acknowledges no master. While our free trade doubles our tariff, our postal facilities will probably be raised to 10 or 25 cents, and off the immediate line of railways there will probably be at least one mail a week. Of course, therefore, we will like se cession the better as we become the better acquainted with it!"

 
Questions to Answer

1. For what audience was the document written?

 
2. What was the purpose of the document?

 
3. What historical facts are necessary to understand the document?

 
4. Write a one-sentence summary of this document.

 
5. What does the author want the readers to think about conditions in the seceded states?

 
6. What position do the editors of this paper probably hold regarding whether Virginia should secede?

 
7. If these two documents were all that you had from Virginia during this period (between Lincoln's election and the firing on Sumter), what conclusions would you draw about Virginians' attitudes about secession and about the causes of the Civil War?