Before Buchanan left office, seven slave states seceded, the Confederacy was formed, all arsenals and forts in the seceded states were lost (except Fort Sumter and two remote ones), and a fourth of all federal soldiers surrendered to Texas troops. The government decided to hold on to Fort Sumter, which was located in Charleston harbor, a visible spot in the Confederacy. On January 5, Buchanan sent a civilian steamer Star of the West to carry reinforcements and supplies to Fort Sumter. On January 9, 1861, South Carolina state batteries opened fire on the Star of the West, which returned to New York. Paralyzed, Buchanan made no further moves to prepare for war. (Taken from Wikipedia)
Today, tracing the "tracks" of President-Elect Lincoln, Barack Obama takes a train from Philadelphia to Washington, DC. Once there, he will become our 44th President.
Was the "State of the Union" on March 4, 1961 (Inauguration Day was later back then) worse than what Mr. Obama faces? Suffice to say, it was a mess. And James Buchanan couldn't wait to high-tail it back here to Lancaster.
The secessionists, lacking any opposition from Washington, ran rampant during the last six months of Buchanan's administration; in our day, it has been rapacious capitalists and religious/ethnic zealots. And Bush 43 did not make Buchanan's mistake--he DID act--but perhaps unwisely.
And so, to this, comes a singularly remarkable man. Much has been made of his being black; but it is NOT his blackness that will be needed--it is his character. Unflappable, deliberative, inclusive, and decisive.
Like many, many Americans, my wife and I are treating these next few days as a holiday; never in my memory have so many people been in such longing for change.
Pray wisdom for Mr. Obama, vigilance for all those entrusted with his safety, and sobriety for all of us as we witness what shall be a day worth remembering.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment