The Herald celebrated Lincoln's victory "as one of right over wrong, of Unionists over secession-minded southern Democrats," while the Leader dismissed threats of Southern secession. The Plain Dealer, meanwhile argued that Lincoln's election would mean the imminent secession of the South. When the Civil War finally erupted in April 1861, Cleveland Democrats and Republicans decided to temporarily put aside their differences and unite as the Union party in support of the war effort.
The Herald celebrated Lincoln's victory as a triumph of right over wrong, highlighting the opposition between Unionists and secessionist Southern Democrats. The Leader dismissed threats of Southern secession. Meanwhile, The Plain Dealer predicted that Lincoln's election would lead to the South seceding from the Union. When the Civil War began in April 1861, Cleveland Democrats and Republicans united as the Union party to support the war effort.