The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-08-05
State Military Academy

AT meeting OF the Cadets Of the Mill
tary Academy held on the Goth July, ON
motion Of Cadet Co,trelI, the meeting was
orgarized by Cadet J. Z. Thomas being
called 10 the Chair, and Cadets M'Camtnsn
and Martin heing requested to act as Secre-
taries. Upon taking the chair Mr.. Thomas
explained the object of the meeting, in the
following eloquent md appropriate re-
marks:
Gentlemen ef the Corps Of Cadr:s: At
low me to express my appreciation Of the
high honor which you have conferred, in
soliciting inc to preside over your meeting.
and, also, TO tender you my heartfelt thanks
tor such an evidence Of your favor and rs- .
tcem. Under any circumstances it would
be impossible for Inc 10 occupy this posi-
ton without emotions Of pride and gratifi-
cation; bu, in view of the object for which
we are assembled these emotions have
been rendered unusually intense. a.
AS The representa- in part, of Carefi-
mas martial spirit; as portion of her sons
peculiarly and greatly Indebted TO her, it
becomes us 10 give expression 10 the feel,
ings that we entertain towards her, and az,
earnest of fidelity in this her trying hour
As Cadets of her Military Academy, it
might appear that VIC are already sutfic lent
ly pledged; but regarding the nonen,ous
crisis in which she is now involved, il
seems to me that full anu opon tleclara-
ton OF attachment should be heard
from all-from he young as well as the old.
IL is for suCh purpose that you have been
called together, and do not for n moment
doubt that your voice will be heard IN tones
manly and patriotic.
1t has not been long since party has
heen formed against immediate secession
party whose tendency is ultimately to
force our State from her noble position,
and to drag her down into cooperative sub
mission. Against an end SO deplo.able e,
degrading and destructive, let us raise our
humble but sincere voice. Let it be avow-
cd that We dep!oringly hold up our hande
against the deiaceincut OF our State es.
cutcheon. Let il be known that the spirit
of our iorelathers-of the Cavalier and
Hugucnot--s not yet dead within US, but
that II sill lives, and POW, as formerly,
| strives TO exhibit itself III action against OPP
pression--in action for trcedoIn--in action
for the honor and welfare OF Carolina.
Cadet J. u. Cottreli then rose, and offer
ed .hc following preamble ard resolutions,
which he prclaced with few remarks IN
reference 10 tho position OF the State, which
! were received with enthusiastic applause
Whereas. period has arrived IN the his
| tory OF our beloved Stale, Al which her sons
are called upon 10 sustain her in the asser-
ton and maintenance OF these rights which
| were guaranteed 10 her at the formation of
the Federal Compact And, whereas, in
all probability, South. Carolina will, at hrat,,
| be alone III taking effective measures TO be-
| come dscnthralIed from the oppressive
connections in which She is now held with
States hostile in feeling and interest, we,
| the Students of the State Military Acade-
my, deem It not inappropriate that wa
should declare our sentiments in reference
20 the crisis which we believe is ut hand,
Therefore,
l. Resolrfd, That whilst wc dsclaim alf
intention of prcsuming to counsel the peo-
pic OF the State, as 10 the measures pro-
per TO be adopted in redrcsslng the wrongs
which have been inflicted upon us, We
earnestly hope that those who are TO decide
the question, will no, rcccdc from the posi-
tion OF separate State secession.
J. ReSotrea, That owing allegiance to-
the General Government only through ths
State of South Carolina, we are absolyep
from that allegiance, the moment she de-;
tcrmines 10 leave the Con.edcracy.
3. Leesoired, That we are prepared TO-
offer up all we have and are, upon the altar
OF liberty, whenever the hour for action
comes, and thas we will look with feelings
OF the deepest mort ticRtion upon any act of
our State that may be influenced by dread
OF consequences.
The preamble and Resolutions were
eloquent!y and warmly advocated by Cadets
Veltch, f.. }. Walker, and CoIding.
On motion, the vote was taken on each
resolution separately and passed with only
three dissenting voices against the first re-
solution, and one against the third.
a motion was thou made ami unanimous,
ly carried that the proceedings o! tho meet.
ing be published 10 the city papers, and
that the other papers OF the State, ,cith the
ercepfion Of The G,ecnrMe Patriot, DO rc-
gucs,ed 10 copy.
w. I. McCAMMoN, socr.,,ri,,
J. NJ. MARTIN, 'eH'e'"''os
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