The South
Carolina Legislature, in pursuance of the Proclamation of the Governor,
assembled in Columbia on Monday last.
In the Senate,
the Hon. F. J. MOSES was called to the Chair, certificates of election read,
and members duly qualified. The Hon. W.
D. PORTER was unanimously elected President, and upon assuming the Chair,
addressed the body in a short impressive speech.
Gen. W. E. MARTIN
was then elected Clerk, A. D. GOODWYN Reading Clerk, and —— GAILLARD Door-keeper.
In the House of
Representatives, Mr. BOYLSTON, of Fairfield, upon motion of Mr. BUIST, of Charleston,
was called to the Chair, for the purpose of organization. The certificates of election were read, and
the members elected duly sworn in. A
ballot was ordered for the election of Speaker, and Gen. SIMONS having received
110 votes – all the votes cast – was declared unanimously elected. Upon being conducted to the Chair, the
Speaker returned his thanks in feeling and appropriate terms.
The following
message was received from His Excellency the Governor, and read by his Private
Secretary, Col. Watts. It commanded the
earnest attention of the house.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,}
COLUMBIA, S. C., Nov. 5, 1860.}
Gentlemen of the Senate and the House of
Representatives:
The Act of
Congress passed in the year 1846, enacts that “the Electors of President and
Vice President shall be appointed on Tuesday next after the first Monday of the
month of November of the year in which they are to be appointed.” The annual meeting of the Legislature of
South Carolina, by a constitutional provision, will not take place until the
fourth Monday in November instant, and I have considered it my duty, under the
authority conferred upon me to convene the Legislature on extraordinary
occasions, to convene you, that you may on tomorrow appoint the number of
Electors of President and Vice President to which this state is entitled.
Under ordinary
circumstances, your duty could soon be discharged, by the election of Electors,
representing the choice of the people of the State; but in view of the
threatening aspect of affairs, and the strong probability of the election to
the Presidency of a sectional candidate, by a party committed to the support of
measures which, if carried out, inevitably destroy our equality in the Union,
and ultimately reduce the Southern States to mere provinces of a consolidated
despotism, to be governed by a fixed majority in Congress, hostile to our institutions,
and fatally bent upon our ruin, I would respectfully suggest that the
Legislature remain in session, and take such action as well prepare the State
for any emergency that may arise.
That an
expression of the will of the people may be obtained on a question involving
such momentous consequences, I would earnestly recommend, that in the event of
the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, a Convention of the people
of this state be immediately called to determine “the mode and measure of
redress.”
My own opinions
of what the Convention should do are of little moment; but believing that the
time has arrived when every one, however humble he may be, should express his
opinions in the unmistakable language, I am constrained to say, that the only
alternative left in my judgment, is the secession of South Carolina from the
Federal Union. The indications from many
of the Southern States justify the conclusion that the secession of South
Carolina will be immediately followed, if not adopted simultaneoulsy by them,
and ultimately by the entire South. The
long desired co operation of the other States, having similar institutions, for
which the State has been waiting, seems to be nearer at hand, and, if we are
true to ourselves, will soon be realized.
The State has, with great unanimity, declared that she has the right [peaceably]
to secede, and no power on earth can rightfully prevent it. If, in the exercise of arbitrary power, and
forgetful of the lessons of history, the Government of the United States should
attempt coercion, it will become our solemn duty to meet force by force; and
whatever may be the decision of the Convention representing the sovereignty of
the State – and amenable to no earthly tribunal – shall, during the remainder
of my administration, be carried out to the letter, regardless of any hazards
that may surround its execution. I would
also respectfully recommend a thorough reorganization of the Militia, so as to
place the whole military force of the State in a position to be sued at the
shortest notice, and with the greatest efficiency. Every man in the State, between the ages of
eighteen and forty five, should be well armed with the most effective weapons
of modern warfare, and all available means of the State used for that purpose.
In addition to
this general preparation, I would also recommend that the service of ten
thousand volunteers be immediately accepted; that they be organized and drilled
by officers chosen by themselves, and hold themselves in readiness to be called
on upon by the shortest notice.
With this
preparation for defence – and with all the hallowed memories of past
achievements – and with our love of liberty and hatred of tyranny – and with
the knowledge that we are contending for the safety of our homes and firesides –
we confidently appeal to the Disposer of all human events, and safely trust our
cause in His keeping.
WM. H. GIST.
In the House Mr.
Cunningham (of Charleston) offered a resolution authorizing the Governor to use
the appropriation of $100,000 ordered by the Acts of 1859, for any proper
purpose of common defence and peace requirements.
The
recommendations of the Governors message were made the special order for
Thursday at 1 o’clock in the Senate and House.
In the House W. C. INGLIS has been elected Reading Clerk; A. P.
NICHOLSON messenger, and C. M. GRAY Door-keeper.
— Published in The Abbeville Press, Abbeville,
South Carolina, Friday Morning, November 9, 1860, p. 2
