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

At Il meeting ofihc Cadets of the Mill
tary Academy held on the Goth July, ON
motion Of Cadet Co,trell, the meeting was
orgarized by Cadet j. p Thomas beiner
called to the Chair, and Cadets NJ Nl'Camu,on
and Martin being requested to act ar Secre-
tarles. Upon taking the, chair MIR. Thomas
explained the object o. the meeting, in the
following eloquent and appropriate re-
marks:
Gentlemen of The Corps Of Cadets: Al
low me to express my appreciation Of the.
high honor winch you have conferred, in
soliciting me to preside over your meeting.
and, also, TO tender you my heartfelt thanks
tor such an evidence OF your favor and ca
teem. Under any circumstances it would
be impossible for Inc 10 occupy this posi-
ton without emotions OF pride and gralifi-
cation; bu, in view OF the object for which
we are assembled those emotions have
been rendered unusually intense. y
AS ihe representa- III part, OF Caroli-
mas martial spirit: as portion of her sons
peculiarly and greatly indebted to her, it
becomes us TO give expression 10 the feel.
lngs that we entertain towards her, and an
earnest Of fidelity in this her trying hour
AS Cadets OF her Military Academy, it
might appear that VIC are already sufficient
ly pledged; but regarding the momentous
crisis in which she is now involved, il
seems to me that a full and opons deciara-
ton OF attachment should be heard
from ail-irom the young as well as the old.
is tor such a purpose that you have been
called together, and | do no, for moment
doubt that your voice will be heard IN tones
manly and patriotic.
1t has not been long since party has
L,nn fF.r, ol
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 deplorable,
degrading and destructive, let us raise our
humble but sincere voice. Let it be avow-
ed that we dcpsoringly hold up our hands
against the delaceincnt OF our State ess
cutcheon. Let it be known that the spirit
Of our ioreiathers-of the Cavalier and
Huguenot--is not yet dead within US, but
that 1t still lives. and now, as formerly,
strives TO exhibit itself in action against op-
pression--in action for irecdoln-in action
for the honor and welfare OF Carolina.
Cadet J. +. Cotirell then rose, and offer
ed the following preamble and resolutions,
which he prelaccd with q few remarks in
reference 10 The position OF the State, which
Whereas, period has arrived IN the his
tory OF our beloved State, at which her sons
are called upon TO 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 irst,-
be alone in taking effective measures to be-
come disenthralIed 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 II not inappropriate that we
should declare our sentiments in reference
TO the crisis which we believe is at hand.
Therefore,
l. Resolied, That whilst we discaim all
intention of prcsuming TO counsel the peo-
pic OF the State, as to the measures pro-
per TO be adopted in rcdressipg the wrongs
which have been inflicted upon us, we
earnestly hope that those who are to decide
the question, will not reccde from The posi-
ton OF separate State secession.
2. Resoired, I'ha, owing allegiance TO-
the General Government only through the.
State Of South Carolina, we are absolve9
from that allegiance, the moment she de-
tcrmines to leave the Con.edcracy.
~ AN'''ttS"b hut VIC dIC piCpdICu ~
offer up all we have and are, upon the altar
OF liberty, whenever the hour for action
comes, and that we vii! look with feelings
OF the deepest mort tication upon any act of
our State that may be influenced by dread
OF consequences.
The preamble and Resolutions were
cloquenty and warmly advocated by Cadets
Fc!tch, E. ]. Walker, and Coidng.
I'm motion, the vote was taken on each
resolution separately aud passed with only
three dissenting voices against the first re-.
solution, aud one against the third.
A motion was then made and unanimous.
ly carried that The proceedings o. the meet
ing be published ia the city papers, and
that the other papers OF the State, trith The
exception Of The GteenriRe Patriot, be re-
qucsiod 10 copy.
w: 7, McCAMMoN, ! s.c,.,,r;,
J. NJ. MARTIN, "e''e'a''es
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