Annie’s School Paper Discussing Politics, 1860
Seldom does the page of history chronicle a period, so replete with strange and startling events, as was shown at the close of the year 1860.
Events, long unexpected seem, at this period, to have reached their culminating point; storms that for years had been silently gathering, now burst with sudden evidence from the astonished people. I shall on speak of some of the most from current events that have engaged the attention of mankind.
One occuerence (sic), that will always be remembered, is the visit of the Prince of Wales to this country; the future sovereign of England left his native shores, to view the offspring of his “Mother-land.” All past occurred were blotted out; the peculiar animosities that were once cherished against England were forgotten, and he was received everywhere with universal adulation; not only for his own sake, but for that of his “Queen Mother,” who is almost as beloved and respected on this, as on the other side of the Atlantic. While here, the Prince in company with President Buchanan visited the grave of Washington, a circumstance so suggestive that it called forth universal comment.
May not such an event- as this visit- produce a masked influence upon the future welfare of our country?, we feel assured that England can never entertain any, but friendly feelings, towards the people who paid such willing homage to their future sovereign…
The time for election of the President of the United State came in this year and Abraham Lincoln was chosen for the Republicans, but their triumph was dearly fought, as the results soon showed. The consequence of this election, was nothing less than the dissolution of our- Union! That Union, left to us by our revered Washington. South Carolina led the way and was soon followed by its sister states, as the great-bulwark of our national safety, with it, we were strong, without it we are tossed about by the storms of contention. The Ship of State that in the past years has so proudly and firmly rode the waves, now tossed upon rock and breaker, wanting a steady hand to guide it at the helm into smooth and peaceful waters.
But it is to be hoped that succeeding years will witness the restoration of our Government: that these troubles may not prove incurable. This year, though it has brought much evil, has also witnessed much good, commerce and manufactories are in flourishing condition, improvements and discoveries in science have been made, and as yet our-people have lived in safety and security; for though the demon of war has hovered over and near the fireside, the terrible reality has never-yet-come to them and by Divine interposition the evil may be forever averted.