Diary of Margaret Sumner McLean, November, 1860

TERRIBLY exciting day -- State after State going for rail - splitting abolitionism and Lincoln -- Black Republicans triumphant -- radical Southerners equally so -- conservatives thoughtful. "Where will it all end?" I asked Colonel de Russey, who has spent the evening with us. "Mon Dieu, who knows? Let us not spoil our digestion and our evening in contemplating it. A game of euchre will give us a better night's rest and fewer wrinkles." And so we played till twelve, when the ringing of bells announced the election un fait accompli.

Moved our lodgings to Brown's Hotel, the headquarters of the Disunionists, and already the irrepressibles are pouring in. For the first time I hear the disunion openly avowed, and feel as much shocked as if the existence of a God were denied; but reflection and history teach me that there is nothing inherentlydivine in republics.

It is becoming evident that a broad line will be drawn this winter between Northerners and Southerners, even in social life. What am I to do, with so many friends on both sides? Have seriously canvassed the propriety of getting ill to avoid unpleasant contretemps, but with so much to be seen and heard have not the resolution to shut myself up, and have decided to act naturally and take the consequences "like a man."

Congress meets to-day. The most exciting session ever known predicted -- the question of slavery in the Territories to be decided. Northern men cool, calm, and determined; Southern men vehement, passionate, and threatening. Sympathize more with the latter; cannot at all comprehend the cold-blooded policy of the former, some of whom look as if born to be the natural enemies of mankind. The President's message satisfies no one -- too simple a diet.

Went to the Senate to-day with Mrs. Jefferson Davis; more pleased with her conversation than anything I heard. She is as full of feeling as of wit, and there are times when both are called into play, though I fear she has too much of the former to make her a happy woman in a revolution where she will play so prominent a part as the wife of the acknowledged Southern leader. Mr. Davis's talents and character alone give him this unenviable notoriety, as he has said very little so far, and what he has said has been marked by a temperance and moderation unusual in the Southern man. I believe he would willingly effect a compromise to-morrow were it in his power.

Mr. Douglas to-day, in a clear, emphatic, and, I fear, prophetic voice, painted the horrors of a war we are bringing on ourselves, and was equally severe on the radicals of both sides. There is something very impressive about him, and I felt as if I were listening to the plain, unvarnished truth; but so far as the principal actors are concerned, I believe they would look just as unmoved if they were to see the hand writing on the wall or hear a voice from heaven. It seems now as if we were to drift into a civil war without one helping hand to save us. Mrs. Douglas was in the gallery of the Senate looking the pride and confidence she felt in her husband's talents, though there is a modesty in her manner in charming contrast with her truly magnificent appearance. Every place was crowded and the ladies generally in full visiting toilette. The diplomatic boxes all full; observed the G -- s in one of them and a celebrated New York beauty in another -- all together a striking coup d'oeil, with a certain sort of Spartan heroism in it. We begin to feel we are to be scattered like chaff before the wind, and we go to meet our fate in our best bonnets and with smiling faces. If we must secede, let us do so becomingly. There is very little outside gaiety; not one large party so far, and our evenings are our dull times, so unlike the Washington of other days.

South Carolina has passed her secession ordinance and proclaims herself to be an independent body -- rather an unprotected-looking female! It would be an act of charity to lead her -- quietly, if possible, forcibly, if necessary -- back home again, but the powers that be seem to consider it a matter of not much importance, and our wayward sister is allowed to go in peace, while her representatives are leaving Washington and hastening to her assistance before she gets quite out of sight. I cannot persuade myself it is anything but supremely ridiculous, although I have heard for the last month that if she only leads the way the other cotton States will follow.

Senate again to-day. Missed the South-Carolinians, but felt a comfortable conviction that there would be talking enough without them. Toombs, of Georgia, was the lion of the house, pacing up and down in front of his desk exclaiming, "If this be treason, then I am a traitor." A number of the officers of the army from South Carolina have resigned. If worse comes to worst I suppose they will all go, though they say very little about it, and it is an understood thing that so long as they wear the uniform of the United States they are not Secessionists, even in opinion. I have no idea what some of our most intimate friends are going to do, and am amused at the persistence they show in avoiding all discussion of the subject. Such a state of affairs cannot last long.

Every one is watching with interest almost too deep for words the action of the Committee of Thirteen, composed of Northern and Southern men, to endeavor to effect a compromise of some sort. God grant they may succeed! Union men say there is little probability of it.

Mr. Jefferson Davis announced that the compromise committee could come to no terms, and it was received by that immense audience in a silence like death. His succeeding remarks made a deep impression, and he himself was evidently much affected. He is by far the most interesting speaker in the Senate; his voice alone makes him one of nature's orators -- so cold and sarcastic one moment, so winning and persuasive the next, and again rising to tones of command that carry obedience with them. If I did not know him in private life, and did not know his high, honorable, and chivalric nature, I could well understand the influence he exercises; he is one of the few public men I have ever seen who impresses me with his earnestness.