l to the flames. They limited their role to that of dignified,
courteous hosts, and played it as Carolina gentlemen are wont to do.
From Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas came the fiery
spirits, led by Mr. William L. Yancey of Alabama, an able rhetorician.
This gentleman had persuaded his State Convention to pass a resolution,
directing its delegates to withdraw from Charleston if the Democracy
there assembled refused to adopt the extreme Southern view as to the
rights of citizens in the territories. In this he was opposed by
ex-Governor Winston, a man of conservative tendencies, and long the
rival of Mr. Yancey in State politics. Both gentlemen were sent to
Charleston, but the majority of their co-delegates sustained Mr. Yancey.

Several days after its organization the National Convention reached a
point which made the withdrawal of Alabama imminent. Filled with anxious
forebodings, I sought after nightfall the lodgings of Messrs. Slidell,
Bayard, and Bright, United States senators, who had come to Charleston,
not as delegates, but under the impulse of hostility to the principles
and candidacy of Mr. Douglas. There, after pointing out the certain
consequences of Alabama's impending action, I made an earnest appeal for
peace and harmony, and with success. Mr. Yancey was sent for, came into
our views after some discussion, and undertook to call his people
together at that late hour, and secure their consent to disregard
instructions. We waited until near dawn for Yancey's return, but his
efforts failed of success. Governor Winston, originally opposed to
instructions as unwise and dangerous, now insisted that they should be
obeyed to the letter, and carried a majority of the Alabama delegates
with him. Thus the last hope of preserving the unity of the National
Democracy was destroyed, and by one who was its earnest advocate.

The withdrawal of Alabama, followed by other Southern States, the
adjournment of a part of the Convention to Baltimore and of another part
to Richmond, and the election of Lincoln by votes of Northern States,
require no further mention.

In January, 1861, the General Assembly of Louisiana met. A member of the
upper branch, and chairman of its Committee on Federal Relations, I
reported, and assisted in passing, an act to call a Convention of the
people of the State to consider of matters beyond the competency of the
Assembly. The Convention met in March, and was presided over by
ex-