Existing comment:
Last Try to Save the Union
As the issue of slavery tore the nation apart, and it tumbled toward civil war, this petition asked Congress to compromise to preserve the Union. The petitioning company of firemen noted, "where the fiercest flames threatened the greatest destruction, they never stopped to inquire the cause, but rushed to use their best efforts to subdue the devouring element."
Petition from the Union Fire Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in support of the Crittenden Compromise, February 6, 1861, Records of the U.S. Senate |