Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper

We publish in our present number the portraits of three of the leading spirits in the Secession movement in the South.

James Chesnut, Jun., of South Carolina.

Jas. Chesnut, Jr. Senator from Camden, S.C., was, we believe, the first who resigned his seat in obedience to what he deemed the call of honor and duty.  His term of office does not expire until the year 1865.

Robert Toombs, of Georgia.

Robert Toombs, of Washington, Wilkes county, Georgia, has been for many years before the people in a public capacity.  First in the Creek war, where he distinguished himself; afterwards in the Legislature of his State, and then from 1845 to 1853 in the House of Representatives. He was then elected to fill a vacancy in the United States Senate, and was re-elected at the expiration of the term.  He only awaits the action of his State before resigning his seat; he is actuated by the same principles as Senator Chesnut, but less precipitate.  He present term does not expire until 1865.

Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia.

While the whole country is echoing with rumors and cries of secession, there is one man bold enough to stand forward and, in the height of a popular political excitement almost unprecedented, speak soothing words of peace, and endeavor, by all the power of his eloquence and all the weight of of his position, to throw oil upon the troubled waters, that discontent may vanish and harmony prevail.  It is no common man who thus endeavors to stem the tide of public opinion, and takes the unpopular side at a moment when the ultra man is almost deified by the enthusiastic many.  Alexander H. Stephens is the statesman who assumed this position, a position which cannot fail to have its weight with the thinking and wealthy men of the South.  Mr. Stephens was invited to speak in the House of Representatives of Georgia, on Wednesday evening, the 14th inst.  After reviewing the position of the country, he said – “The first question that presents itself is, shall the people of the South secede from the Union in consequence of the election of Mr. Lincoln to the Presidency of the United States?  My countrymen, I tell you frankly, candidly and earnestly of no man, constitutionally chosen to that high office, is sufficient cause for any State to separate from the Union.  It ought to stand by and aid still in maintaining the constitution of the country.  To make a point of resistance to the government – to withdraw from it because a man has been constitutionally elected – puts us in the wrong.  We are pledged to maintain the constitution.”

He was decidedly in favor of remaining in the Union for strong and cogent reasons; he showed the strong opposing power to the coming President in the Senate, and also that the majority in the House of Representatives was against him, deducing from these facts that it was manifestly the interest of the South not to secede, but to fight the constitutional fight for the maintenance of their right in the National Legislative Halls.  His speech throughout was eminently patriotic and practical, and frequently during the delivery and at the close Mr. Stephens was greeted with loud and enthusiastic cheering.  We do not doubt Mr. Stephens’ speech in the Legislative Halls of Georgia will have a most soothing and tranquilizing effect upon the whole country.

At this time, when the attention of the whole country is centered upon the gallant State of South Carolina, in speculation as to the course she will pursue, it will be both seasonable and interesting to present some views in the city of Charleston, where the secession seems to be vigorous and demonstrative.  We have selected a few sketches of the prominent buildings, in advance of other illustrations of these stirring times of more vivid interest.

The Government Arsenal in in Charleston, S.C. – This extensive, handsome and important building, which we illustrate this week, is at the present time an object of peculiar interest.  In the present state of popular excitement in Charleston, this great depot of arms and ammunition is watched with great care and peculiar jealousy.  It was reported on the 10th, that an attempt had been to remove the arms, &c., to Fort Moultrie, but had been resisted by the people.  A later report states that it had been seized by the people, but the report was entirely unfounded.

Secession Meeting at the Mills House. – We present in connection with the present secession movement in the South, a sketch of an enthusiastic meeting in favor of secession, held in front of the popular hotel, the Mills House.  The speeches were decidedly in favor of immediate secession, and every Southern sentiment was cheered most vociferously.

On our pages this week, we illustrate passing events of great and stirring interest, both in the South and in the North – the Seceding movements in the South and the Presidential campaign in the North.  We claim to be strictly and entirely neutral in our course of Journalism, chronicleing events as they transpire in every section of the country, without bias, and without feeling; adhering closely to facts, but advocating neither one side nor the other of the disturbing element of partisan politics.

In pursuing this course we do not bate one jot of our independence; we truckle to neither party, nor do we ask favors of any party.  The necessity of our position is, that our circulation must be universal – our expenses are so vast that the patronage of one class, however liberal, would be but a drop in the bucket in the way of enumerating our outlay.

Our aim is to produce a paper which shall be entirely free from objectionable opinions or partizan views of national policy, that it can be circulated in every section of the union and be receive in every family as a truthful exponent of facts as they occur, and a reliable Illustrated History of the time in which we live.

Bearing this aim steadily in view, we do not swerve from our design.  Our Artists and Correspondents furnish us with illustrations and descriptive matter of every event of importance, which we transfer to our pages, and we must not be held responsible if our pages illustrate scenes of which the actors therein are ashamed.  We are Historians, and represent the World as we find it, without fear, favor, or prejudice, confident that, while we persevere in that course, Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper will be welcomed in every section and in every home in the United States.

Secession orators addressing the people outside the city hall, Charleston, S.C. – from a sketch by our special artist.

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper, November 3, 1860

The landing of the St. Mary’s Forces, under the command of W. D. Porter, at the railroad depot at Panama, to protect the property of American citizens, during the recent extensive negro insurrection, Sept. 27, 1860 – From a sketch by W.G. Overend, U.S.N.