ws.
The Cabinet, as by common impulse, came together and deliberated. All
talk, however, was brief, sententious, formal. Lincoln said but little
beyond making inquiries about the current reports and criticizing the
probability or accuracy of their details, and went on as usual
receiving visitors, listening to suggestions, and signing routine papers
throughout the day." Meanwhile the cannon were booming at Charleston.
The people came out on the sea-front of the lovely old city and watched
the duel of the cannon far down the harbor, and spoke joyously of the
great event. They saw the shells of the shore batteries ignite
portions of the fortress on the island. They watched the fire of the
defenders--driven by the flames into a restricted area--slacken and
cease. At last the flag of the Union fluttered down from above Fort
Sumter.

When the news flashed over the North, early Sunday morning, April 14th,
the tension broke. For many observers then and afterward, the only North
discernible that fateful Sabbath was an enraged, defiant, impulsive
nation, forgetful for the moment of all its differences, and uniting all
its voices in one hoarse cry for vengeance. There seemed to be no other
thought. Lincoln gave it formal utterance, that same day, by assembling
his Cabinet and drawing up a proclamation which called for 75,000
volunteer troops.

An incident of this day which is as significant historically as any
other was on the surface no more than a friendly talk between two men.
Douglas called at the White House. For nearly two hours he and Lincoln
conferred in private. Hitherto it had been a little uncertain what
course Douglas was going to take. In the Senate, though condemning
disunion, he had opposed war. Few matters can have troubled Lincoln more
deeply than the question which way Douglas's immense influence would be
thrown. The question was answered publicly in the newspapers of Monday,
April 15th. Douglas announced that while he was still "unalterably
opposed to the Administration on all its political issues, he
was prepared to sustain the President in the exercise of all his
constitutional functions to preserve the Union, and maintain the
Government, and defend the federal capital."

There remained of Douglas's life but a few months. The time was filled
with earnest speechmaking in support of the Government. He had started
West directly following his conference with Lincoln. His speeches in
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, we