Disunion.

This is coolbert:

Disturbance, United States Capital. As it was recently as it was nearly one-hundred sixty years ago!!

Thanks to the New York Times archives the tip from Freeper.

"THE NATIONAL CRISIS: The Anticipated Descent on Washington; THE DISUNION MOVEMENT; Editorial-Compromise-The Border States and the Union (1/28/1861)"

"New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 1/28/1861"

"WASHINGTON, Sunday, Jan. 27. The rumor was rife to-day that Gen. SCOTT [General Winfield Scott] had received new intelligence relative to designs on the Capital, by secession invaders, which causes him much anxiety. If it is so, he keeps the secret admirably, for no facts in support of the rumor can be ascertained. Mayor BERRET [Washington D.C.] scouts the idea of any danger of an attack on this city, and says he has no intelligence denoting it, which he is confident he should have if the purpose existed."

"scouts: To reject with disdain or derision."

DISTURBANCE DID NOT MATERIALIZE IN 1861! BUT THE THREAT FROM SECESSIONIST FORCES DID EXIST AND WAS WORRISOME TO MANY.

coolbert.