When New York City Came Close to Seceding

In Early 1861, New York City Almost Seceded
      Well, maybe not almost, but it was considered by many hardline Democrats in New York at the time. Most evident in the push for leaving the Union was the powerful mayor of New York City, Fernando Wood. For him and others, they had had enough of tariffs levied primarily against Southern cotton growers. New York, even back then, was motivated by money.
      On January 7, 1861, after Abraham Lincoln had won the presidency, talk among Southern states was of seceding. On that date, Wood made his startling proposal to the city’s Common Council (city council) that if the Southern states seceded, then New York City should also. “New York City shall be a FREE city.” 
      Secret plans by other council members and businessmen were laid out. 
      However,…
      Nothing happened, for when the war broke out, New Yorkers generally clamored to “save the Union,” and Wood and the Democrats lost their reelection bid.