n.

In proportion to her numbers, the State of South Carolina furnished
the largest contingent to the faction of active conspirators; and to
her, by a common consent, were accorded the dangers and honors of
leadership. Since conspiracies work in secret, only fragmentary proofs
of their efforts ever come to light. Though probably only one of the
many early agencies in organizing the rebellion, the following
circular reveals in a startling light what labor and system were
employed to "fire the Southern heart" after the November election:

[Illustration: GENERAL HENRY A. WISE.]

[Sidenote] O.J. Victor, "History of the Southern Rebellion." Vol. I.,
p. 203.

CHARLESTON, Nov. 19, 1860.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, "The 1860 Association."

In September last, several gentlemen of Charleston met to confer
in reference to the position of the South in the event of the
accession of Mr. Lincoln and the Republican party to power. This
informal meeting was the origin of the organization known in this
community as "The 1860 Association."

The objects of the Association are:

_First_. To conduct a correspondence with leading men in the South
and by an interchange of information and views prepare the
slave-States to meet the impending crisis.

_Second_. To prepare, print, and distribute in the slave States,
tracts, pamphlets, etc., designed to awaken them to a conviction
of their danger, and to urge the necessity of resisting Northern
and Federal aggression.

_Third_. To inquire into the defenses of the State, and to collect
and arrange information which may aid the Legislature to establish
promptly an effective military organization.

To effect these objects a brief and simple Constitution was
adopted, creating a President, a Secretary and Treasurer, and an
Executive Committee specially charged with conducting the business
of the Association. One hundred and sixty-six thousand pamphlets
have been published, and demands for further supplies are received
from every quarter. The Association is now passing several of them
through a second and third edition.

The conventions in several of the Southern States will soon be
elected. The North is preparing to soothe and conciliate the South
by disclaimers and overtures. The success of this policy would be
disastrous to the cause of Southern Union and Independence, and it