In early 1861, Pryor agitated for immediate secession in Virginia, but the state convention did not act.

His influence was a most powerful factor in inducing the "old-line Whigs" to support immediate secession.

As President-elect, Lincoln faced the immediate secession of several states from the Union he was supposed to govern.

As a member of the Virginia secession convention of 1861, Wise supported immediate secession.

Nevertheless, advocates of immediate secession were clearly outnumbered.

The delegates were split between those insisting on immediate secession versus those who would secede only in cooperation with other Southern states.

The Fire-Eaters, calling for immediate secession, were opposed by two elements.

Charles County even requested the immediate secession of the state of Maryland.

After the election of Abraham Lincoln in November 1860, Bradfield called for immediate secession, claiming, "the last link is broken."

The Unionist position carried after many of the states rights' legislators, opposing the idea of immediate secession, voted against the convention.