“The rights of the South are not endangered by the triumph of Mr. Lincoln, the man; but they are in imminent danger from the triumph of the powerful party which he represents, and of the fanatical sentiment which brought him into power, as the candidate of the Northern section of the Union, over the united opposition of the Southern section against him. The party embracing that sentiment has constantly denied, and still denies, our equality in the Union; and avows its purpose to take from us our property, so soon as it has the power.”
– Georgia Governor Joseph E. Brown
December 7, 1860