What in the United States from "A History of the Nineteenth Century Year by Year" by Edwin Emerson, Jr., edited by C.A. Venturi

The State of Illinois was this year the arena of a peculiar contest. Senator Douglas had taken so prominent a part in the defeat of the Lecompton measure, providing a special constitution for Kansas, that many leading Republicans elsewhere wanted him to return to the Senate by a unanimous vote, but this did not find favor in Illinois. Abraham Lincoln presented himself as a candidate for Douglas's seat. At Springfield, June 17, Lincoln opened his canvass with the firm declaration that the Union "cannot permanently endure half slave and half free." Four months afterward Governor Seward at Rochester, New York, on October 25, made a like presentation of what was to come, and said: "These antagonistic systems (free and slave labor) are continually coming into close contact, It is an irrepressible conflict between opposing and enduring forces; and it means that the United States must and will, soon or late, become either an entirely slave-holding or entirely a free-labor nation." Douglas and Lincoln joined the issue, and an oratorical contest of unequalled interest was fought out before immense audiences up to the eve of the State election. In the Legislature election, Douglas received 54 votes, Lincoln 46.

The seven years, war with the Seminoles was at last brought to a close. It had cost the United States $10,000,000 and the lives of 1,466 men.

The Territorial Legislature of Kansas had passed an act submitting the Lecompton Constitution to vote on June 4. The act provided that "the rights of property in slaves now in the Territory shall in no manner be interfered with." The Missourians were not present to vote, and the full poll was--for the Lecompton Constitution with slavery 128, and without slavery 24; against the Lecompton Constitution, 10,226. Henceforth Kansas was virtually a "free" State.

In June an expedition was sent against the Mormons. General Johnston found Salt Lake City deserted, and the Mormons departed South. A compromise was at length entered into, and peace made by Governor Cummings.

Two steamers, during this year, began to lay the Atlantic cable in midocean; the cable parted when five miles were laid, When the laying of the cable was completed, on August 5, the English directors telegraphed to the directors in America: "Europe and America are united by telegraph. Glory to God in the Highest; on earth, peace, good-will toward men.,, Queen Victoria sent a message to President Buchanan expressing her satisfaction at the completion of the work so likely to preserve harmony between England and the united States. The message required an hour for its transmission. The insulation, however, proved faulty, and on September 4 the wire ceased to work. Another company had to be organized. During the same year the first overland mail by "pony express" arrived from San Francisco at St. Louis in 23 days and 4 hours. The new state of Minnesota was admitted. The rights of the Indians had been surrendered by treaty in 1851, and the increase in population was so great in seven years as to entitle the Territory to become a State.

European Event
Elisa Rachel, the great French tragedienne, died at Toulon, On the stage of Paris she shone without a rival in the classic masterpieces of Corneille, Racine and Voltaire. In 1843, her reputation may be said to have culminated in her famous appearance as "Phedre." In "Adrienne Lecouvreur" she likewise achieved an immense success. A professional tour through England and America in 1855 broke down her health. Shortly after Rachells death Sara Bernhardt made her debut in Paris.

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