Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 1.

[209] to any required.extent. This pledge the people of that State nobly redeemed.

The great State of Pennsylvania, with its three millions of inhabitants, and its immense and varied interests, was profoundly moved by the events in the Gulf region. Even before there had been any Secession Conventions, and the muttering thunders of treason in that section were only echoed from the halls of Congress, there was an immense assemblage of citizens in Independence Square, in the city of Philadelphia, to counsel together on the state of public affairs. It was called by the Mayor, Alexander Henry, and was held on the 13th of December, 1860. Disunion — the separation of the States--seemed inevitable, the Mayor said in his proclamation, “unless the loyal people, casting off the spirit of party, should, in a special manner,

View in Independence Square.1

avow their unfailing fidelity to the Union, and their abiding faith in the Constitution and laws.” The meeting was opened with prayer by the thoroughly loyal Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of that diocese, Right Rev. Alonzo Potter, and was addressed by men of all parties. The tone of every speech was deprecatory of war; and nearly every one expressed a willingness to make every possible concession to the demands of the Oligarchy necessary for the preservation of Union and peace. The troubled aspect of the nation was generally attributed to the interference of the “North” with Slavery, such as “the misplaced teachings of the pulpit, the unwise rhapsodies of the lecture-room, and the exciting appeals of the press,” ² on the subject. It was urged that these “must be frowned ”