Aunt Fancy Speaks as she reflects on the deepening political tensions that defined December of 1860, focusing on President Buchanan’s handling of South Carolina’s secession crisis. With the possibility of South Carolina breaking away from the Union looming large, Buchanan concentrated on drafting his annual message to Congress. William Henry Trescot, a member of South Carolina’s elite, played a significant role in advising Buchanan, providing insights into the region’s grievances and the Southern perspective. Buchanan, fearing a violent confrontation over federal forts in Charleston Harbor, believed that secession was imminent, though Trescot assured him that the process would be carried out peacefully, much like a business transaction. South Carolina, he predicted, would send representatives to negotiate with Congress to resolve the separation.

Buchanan, after completing his address, shared it with Jefferson Davis, a leading Southern figure and a staunch proponent of secession. Davis reviewed the message and suggested some changes, agreeing that the final version would uphold South Carolina’s constitutional right to secede, but Buchanan continued to modify it. When the final version was ready, Buchanan sent a copy to Governor Gist of South Carolina through Trescot, who anticipated that South Carolina would immediately proceed with secession upon reading it. The tensions were clear as Buchanan’s address came under fire, showing the polarized nature of the Union as South Carolina’s move toward disunion appeared all but certain. Buchanan’s response only seemed to deepen the divide, showcasing his difficulty in navigating the rapidly escalating conflict between North and South.

Buchanan’s speech, delivered to Congress on December 4, garnered significant attention, as he outlined the stark contrast between the nation’s prosperity and the growing unrest. He attributed the discontent to the North’s abolitionist movements, which he argued undermined the security of Southern states. In his view, the solution was for the Southern states to manage their internal affairs without interference from the North, believing that secession based on fear alone was illegitimate. He framed the issue of secession as revolutionary, asserting that it was only justifiable in response to extreme federal overreach. Buchanan’s perspective highlighted the fragile nature of the Union, with his speech failing to soothe the rising tensions, and instead exacerbating the situation by reinforcing the divides between the two regions.

The reaction to Buchanan’s message was divided and intensely negative. Jefferson Davis, in particular, expressed his disapproval and vowed to sever ties with Buchanan, criticizing the denial of the South’s right to secede. On the other hand, Abraham Lincoln, who was soon to assume office, voiced his shock at Buchanan’s argument, particularly the blame placed on the North for the crisis. Critics from various quarters, including William Seward and the New-York Times, condemned Buchanan’s approach, accusing him of inflaming the sectional conflict and failing to fulfill his duties as president. Buchanan’s handling of the secession crisis marked a turning point in the nation’s history, his actions or lack thereof, leaving a complex legacy. The speech, full of contradictions, encapsulated a leadership style that lacked the resolve to prevent the Civil War, positioning the country at the edge of disintegration.

In this chapter, Buchanan’s handling of the crisis is a key reflection on the broader struggles within the Union during a time of deep political and social unrest. His inability to act decisively led to a missed opportunity to deescalate tensions, further solidifying the rift between the North and South. The complex dynamics of leadership, divided loyalties, and conflicting ideologies at this critical juncture in American history are laid bare. Buchanan’s speech and actions, though well-intentioned in some respects, lacked the foresight needed to prevent the coming storm of civil war, revealing the limitations of his presidency during one of the most volatile times in the nation’s history.