The moment America officially fractured in two is remembered at this Alabama star

Jefferson Davis’s Confederate Inauguration at Alabama’s Capitol

On February 18, 1861, a new nation was born on the steps of Alabama’s State Capitol.

Seven states had split from the Union after Lincoln won, and now 10,000 people packed the grounds to see Jefferson Davis take charge.

The crowd heard “Dixie” played by a band for the first time as Davis, picked just nine days earlier, gave a short speech he wrote the night before.

He swore to God with his hand raised, then claimed the South was saving the true meaning of the Constitution. A brass star still marks the exact spot where the Confederacy began its brief life in Montgomery.

Lincoln’s Victory Sent Shockwaves Through the South

Abraham Lincoln won the presidency on November 6, 1860, grabbing 180 electoral votes with less than 40% of the popular vote. His anti-slavery stance scared Southern states who worried about their economy.

Republicans won Northern states in the election, but Lincoln’s name didn’t even appear on ballots in nine Southern states. Deep South leaders saw the Republican win as a deadly threat to slavery and states’ rights.

Southern politicians started talking about leaving the Union right after the election results came in.

South Carolina Jumped Ship First

South Carolina called a secession meeting right after Lincoln won. The state voted 169-0 to leave the Union on December 20, 1860.

Their secession document pointed to the “growing hostility” toward slavery from Northern states as the main reason. Other Deep South states quickly set up their own secession meetings.

South Carolina invited other slave states to join in creating a new Southern republic.

Six More States Quickly Followed Suit

Mississippi left the Union on January 9, 1861, with Florida leaving just a day later. Alabama broke away on January 11, Georgia on January 19, and Louisiana on January 26.

Texas became the seventh state to leave on February 1, 1861. All these states pointed to protecting slavery and states’ rights as their reasons for leaving.

States in the Upper South like Virginia and North Carolina still weren’t sure about secession.

Montgomery Became the Meeting Place for a New Nation

Representatives from six breakaway states met in Montgomery, Alabama on February 4, 1861. They picked Montgomery because it sat in the middle of all the seceded states.

The group chose Howell Cobb from Georgia to lead the meeting, with each state getting one vote on decisions. The meeting had two main jobs: write a new constitution and create a temporary government.

The Texas group showed up a few days late.

The Confederate Constitution Protected Slavery

A twelve-person team led by Christopher Memminger wrote a constitution between February 5-7. Everyone approved the temporary Confederate Constitution on February 8, 1861.

Their new document looked a lot like the U. S. Constitution but made sure to protect slavery. The text stressed “sovereign and independent states” to boost states’ rights.

The constitution banned bringing in slaves from other countries, partly to please Virginia.

Davis Wasn’t Looking for the Job

The convention wanted someone who could unite different Confederate groups.

They chose Jefferson Davis as a middle-ground pick between moderate and hardcore Confederate factions. His military background, political experience, and good reputation made him stand out.

The group picked Alexander Stephens from Georgia as vice president to balance the leadership team. Davis won the temporary presidency by unanimous vote on February 9, 1861.

The News Caught Davis Off Guard

Davis was cutting roses at his Mississippi plantation when he learned about his new job. He actually wanted a military command instead of leading the new country.

He left Mississippi for Montgomery as soon as he got the news. His trip through Confederate territory turned into a celebration with crowds.

People gathered at every stop to cheer for the new Confederate president as his train passed through.

Thousands Gathered for the Big Day

February 18, 1861 started with nice weather in Montgomery. About 10,000 people showed up at the Alabama State Capitol grounds for the ceremony.

A military band played “Dixie” for the crowd, marking the first time the song was performed as an organized parade arrangement. A grand procession walked up the hill to the Capitol steps.

Davis wrote his speech just the night before, not spending much time preparing for the event.

The Oath Lasted Only Moments

Davis took his oath on the Alabama State Capitol porch with the huge crowd watching. One person there remembered: “when he raised his hand and his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘So help me God!

‘ I think I never saw any scene so solemn and impressive. ” The whole ceremony took only 15 minutes, much shorter than typical American inaugurations.

A brass star now marks the exact spot where Davis stood. The crowd cheered loudly as the new Confederate nation came to life.

His Speech Defended Breaking Away

Davis claimed the Confederate Constitution went back to what the founding fathers really wanted. He said secession was just using the right of people to change their government when needed.

Davis painted the federal government as the revolutionary troublemakers while portraying Confederates as the true followers of the Constitution.

Historians note his speech lacked any memorable lines or quotes. He stressed that the Confederate cause was defensive and that they wanted a peaceful separation.

The Government Got to Work Immediately

Davis started organizing government departments right after the ceremony ended. Montgomery served as the Confederate capital until they moved to Richmond in May 1861.

The seven-state Confederacy had a working government three weeks before Lincoln even took office. Davis sent peace representatives to Washington, but Lincoln refused to meet them.

The Confederate States of America officially launched as an independent republic that day.

Visiting Alabama State Capitol, Alabama

The Alabama State Capitol at 600 Dexter Avenue in Montgomery offers free admission and self-guided tours Monday through Friday from 8am to 4pm.

You can see the restored 1861 Senate Chamber where Confederate delegates adopted their constitution, complete with its original trompe l’oeil ceiling.

The rotunda displays eight murals by Roderick MacKenzie showing Alabama history. Groups of 15 or more can book guided tours by calling 334-242-3935.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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