Whenever it shall appear that these causes are radical and permanent, a separation by equitable arrangement will be preferable to an alliance by constraint, among nominal friends, but real enemies, inflamed by mutual hatred and jealousy, and inviting, by intestine divisions, contempt and aggression from abroad.--_Journal of the Hartford Convention_ _Florida secedes, 1861_ _The "Bonnie Blue Flag" first sung in public at Jackson Mississippi, 1861_ January Eleventh The States of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee were engaged in practical movements for the gradual emancipation of their slaves. This movement continued until it was arrested by the aggressions of the Abolitionists. GEORGE LUNT (Massachusetts) And if the secrets of all hearts could have been revealed, our enemies would have been astounded to see how many thousands and tens of thousands in the Southern States felt the crushing burden and the awful responsibility of the institution which we were supposed to be defending with the melodramatic fury of pirate kings. We were born to this social order, we had to do our duty in it according to our lights, and this duty was made indefinitely more difficult by the interference of those who, as we thought, could not understand the conditions of the problem, and who did not have to bear the expense of the experiments they proposed. BASIL L. GILDERSLEEVE _Thomas Jefferson Randolph's resolutions on the abolition of slavery introduced for extended debate in the Virginia Assembly, 1832_ _Alabama secedes, 1861_ January Twelfth We are a band of brothers, and native to the soil, Fighting for our liberty, with treasure, blood, and toil. And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far: Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star! HARRY MCCARTHY January Thirteenth FIFTY YEARS AFTER--THE VIEW OF A FEDERAL OFFICER OF '61-'65 In case of direct and insoluble issue between Sovereign State and Sovereign Nation, every man was not only free to decide, but had to decide the question of ultimate allegiance for himself; and whichever way he decided he was right. CHARLES FRANCIS ADAMS (Massachusetts) January Fourteenth LAYING THE ATLANTIC CABLE Maury furnished the brains, England gave the money, and I did the work. CYRUS W. FIELD (_At a banquet in New York_) After a little while The cross will glisten and the thistles wave Above my grave; And planets smile. Sweet Lord, then pillowed on thy gentle breast, I fain would rest, After a little while. JAMES RYDER RANDALL _Matthew Fontaine Maury born, 1806_ _James Ryder Randall dies, 1908_ January Fifteenth