The Confederates gained Fort Sumter, but in doing so
they roused the patriotism of the North to a firm resolve that
this insult to the flag should be redressed, and that the
unrighteous experiment of a rival government founded upon slavery
as its "cornerstone," should never succeed. In one of his
speeches on the journey to Washington Mr. Lincoln had said that
devoted as he was to peace, it might become necessary to "put the
foot down firmly." That time had now come. On April 15, the day
after the fall of Fort Sumter, all the newspapers of the country
printed the President's call to arms, ordering out 75,000 militia
for three months, and directing Congress to meet in special
session on July 4, 1861. The North rallied instantly to the
support of the Government, and offered him twice the number of
soldiers he asked for.
Nothing more clearly shows the difference between President
Lincoln and President Buchanan than the way in which the two men
met the acts of the Southern Rebellion. President Buchanan
temporized and delayed when he had plenty of power. President
Lincoln, without a moment's hesitation accepted the great and
unusual responsibility thrust upon him, and at once issued orders
for buying ships, moving troops, advancing money to Committees of
Safety, and for other military and naval measures for which at
the moment he had no express authority from Congress.
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