During the four-month interval between Lincoln’s election and inauguration, Buchanan had the executive power but felt little responsibility for the crisis, while Lincoln had responsibility but little power. The Congress elected in 1860 would not meet in regular session for thirteen months, while the Congress that did meet in December 1860 experienced an erosion of authority as members from the lower South resigned when their states seceded. Buchanan’s forceful denial of the legality of disunion ended with a lame confession of impotence to do anything about it.
