Washington, November 7, 1860.
My Dear Sir,—The die is cast, and Lincoln is elected.
Shall we now fan the flame of disunion, or shall we exert our influence toward calming the already excited sentiment of the South?
What course should we, here in the District of Columbia, pursue? Should we join hands with the disunionists and help on the storm, or should we not rather pour oil on the troubled waters ? . . .
My own will illustrate the condition of thousands in this district. With us everything depends on the Union being preserved.
What, then, was my indignation on learning that men holding office here under your administration were parading the streets here this morning with disunion cockades on their hats! and the leading article of the ‘Constitution’ to-day can have no other effect than to encourage and fan the flame of disunion, both here and at the South.
You will bear me witness that I have never intruded myself upon your counsels. But may I not, in the most respectful yet in the most earnest manner, now appeal to you—for if you are silent your enemies will, I am sure, attempt to hold you responsible for these things—to use your power in at once checking this dread spirit of disunion here in our midst?
With great respect,
Very sincerely your friend,
Horatio King.
His Excellency, James Buchanan.
The editorial article of the Constitution referred to in the preceding letter concludes as follows :
“We can understand the effect that will be produced in every Southern mind when he reads the news that he is now called on to decide for himself, his children, and his children’s children, whether he will submit tamely to the rule of one elected on account of his hostility to him and his, or whether he will make a struggle to defend his rights, his inheritance, and his honor.”