By Elaine Grublin

The following excerpts are from the diary of Stephen Greenleaf Bulfinch. 

Sunday, 11 November 1860

The great event, for which preparations have been making by the different parties, has at length taken place. On Tuesday last, it was decided by the election of a large majority of Presidential electors, that Abraham Lincoln was the choice of the people for President. I receive the decision, as thousands do, with gratitude to God, that now the direction of our country is right; not that we wish to interfere with slavery where it exists, otherwise than by moral & friendly influence, but that our country has avowed the preference of liberty to slavery, that the reviving slave trade will be suppressed, no more slave territory added, & the prestige of the government be in favor of progress.

There is great excitement at the South, but this, I think, will subside; and when our brethren there find that no wrong is intended them, they will bow to the republican principle that the majority must govern.

Monday, 19 November 1860

The excitement at the South continues; but N. Carolina, Tennessee etc. declare manfully their adhesion to the union.

Be sure to check back next week for the 31 December entry where SGB reflects on the secession crisis and the growing national conflict.