Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-25

occason-that this in which engaged, Is really
without any rhetoric, great occasion. II u a very
solemn event-an went the consequences oil which are
not to be confined ourselves and the States with which
we have been connected but for aught we can say, are
10 affect the circumstances Of every people and every
nation. We cannd break the ties Of COniederacy
which has existed Or thee-qarlers Of century, without
its being felt throughout the world.
Now, SIR am no dsposedfo give way at all times TO
those demonstrations 20 which our American people are
exceedingly even but am no 10 suppose that such an
act as the ratification ofths Ordnance will be passed by
like an ordinary event lTne pnght to raelizs, and
perhaps do realize, the mag 81 this event Sir the
history of the past q our oa NJ iustslee rs IN an
ticipatng Joy, and, il successl eQnsummation Of
our purpose that this day for peaps reequarters OF
century 10 come wkbe celebrated as holiday in the
history Of nation aNut to be born. Is Il not worth
while 10 consider thea that the whole should be con-
summated on one day. and be divided into parcels
Let US IL possible allow the whole thing TO be consum-
mated and perfected on snge day, that it may be
forever rememberedin the calendar oil the year.
Mr.. Keitt-We can perform this act OF ratification
much better tomorrow than tonight. We very well
know that several Of the members Of the Old Thirteen
States did not sign the Declaration OF Independence I'M
ill about three weeks after that declaration had been
written Some of them signed it between the 10Th and
18th of july do not see how act consummaed TO-
day can be parceed out il does not take effect till to-
morrow
We are, as the gentleman from Edgefeld mr. lnglis
has well said performing great act. We are perform
ing an act which embraces the interest OF the present.
and also embraces the interest OF the whole future
to come. have been engaged in this movement oil my
life but will be content TO have this net ratified to-moi
row. am In favor Of adopticg the resolutions OF the
gentlemaR from Rchland. We have carried the body oil
OF the Union to its last resting place, and we are now
about TO raise Southern Couisderacy from its grave
think it better that should postpone the ratification
| till tomorrow.
| Mr. Adams There is one remarkable fact in Our pro
eeedings OH this floor to-day. There are one hundred
aud seventy members in this body. Il so happens that
not single member is absent. This may not be the
| case tomorrow. Some one may be stricken down viii
sickness Let us now riuy the Ordinance and present
the extraordinary spectacle that in body OF this size
there is not a single solitary absentee. We are all here
now but may not be all alive tomorrow Let us no"
sign the instrument order that every member may not
ose this providentia opportunity. Cries OF Question
| Question:
The question REQUIRED on the adoption OF the amend
| ment TO rltily the Ordinance at 7. NJ.
The resolution and amendment having been given was
adopted.
Mr. Dunkin Mr. President, understand that for all
substantial purposes this Ordinance has been passed
was the opinion OF gentlemen with whom | ConvGrsed
that they Concued in the Ordinance as II was propose,
therefore, the following Ordinance:
BE Il ordained by the people of South Carolina, by
their Delegates IN Convention assembled, until 0tierwSe
provded for BIZ the Legislature That the Governcf shall
toe authorized to appoint collectors and other officers
connected with the customs for the several ports within
the State Of South Carolina; and also all posmasters
within the said State and that until said appointments
all have been made the persons nov in charge of the
duties of said several Offices shall continue 10 occupy and
discharge the same keeping accounts OF money received
aud discussed by them respectively.
propose that Ordinance, and SHALL when il is read,
move for its immediate adoption.
Mr. Mazyck. Ii the question is put Immediately, shall
| b. constrained TO vote against il.
Mr. Msgraih think H. special matter OF that Ordi-
nance should be Immediately considered. ! not pre-
pared to say that cannot vote for the Ordinance Is
now in your hands According TO my understanding OF
our position there is Collector Postmaster, in the
limits Of South Carolina What you have done today
has extinguishcd the authority Of every man in South
Carolina deriving that authority from the General Gov
crnment am favor Of the State Of South Carolina
inmed aely putting its commissions into the hands oil
It's officers.
An amendment was offered to strike out the words 'by
the Legislature"
Mr. SeabroOk-I will be constrained to vote against the
resolution now. think proper that committee should
b, appointed to examine this subject. Ii is matter
that this Convention should act upon with due cOnsdera
ton.
Mr. Middeton-It is necessary for this body to act
specdy in order to avoid an nterregnum in the Govern
ment Let va pass il at The act will not be con
.ummated because il is ratified. | sorry TO pre-
sumo TO differ.
Mr. Seabrook moved to refer the Ordinance to the
Committee on Commercial Arrangements and Postal Ar
engagements.
Mr. Gregg-Unt the Legislature has acted on the sub
ct, the Governor shall appoint collector OF what? OF
duties imports What duties GA mpo5s AfISr Ins
of the United States, are the United States laws still in
force? take ii not take il that all laws of Congress
fall instantly to the ground the act Of secession Tn
es there ia legislation by the State Of South Carolina
or II this body shall choose TO assume that Junction. no
duties to be collected There is no officer to be
charged with such duty think should fall into a
serious error by passing Ordinance where the laws of
the United States are enforced. | would suggest an
amendment which might possibly obvate all difficulty.
move strike out the first part aud insert "We the
people OF South Carolina, in Convention assembled do
otliu and declare that until is otherwise provided for
by the General Assembly the importation Of merchan-
die in this State shall be free and unrestricted and it
shall be the duty of the Governor to make such tempo
rary regulations requisite for the entry and ea
ance Of vessels and the appointment of such officers
may be needed for the purpose"
The President. The amendment is not in order.
Mr. Gregg | merely threw it out as a suggestion
Mr.. Cheves II appears to me that the gentleman
from Columbia has hit upon important point
Of this subject. The gentleman, | think, is right in
his remarks, in substance, that by the Ordinance we
have passed there is TO be immense chasm in the law
We have no time to consider how that chasm exists but
for the good OF the people, and TO avoid the utmost
Inconvenience it is necessary to close it in the most
temporary manner.
Mr.. Gregg. take it there is no law on the subject of
the collection of duties in the State of South Carolina
now We out of the Unon but If it necessary
wait for the raiication until o'clock shall be Of
the Union then and there is no law for the collection OF
duties; aud If il is proposed to make any temporary
Laws main in force until due legislation be effected
for one am not willing adopt the laws of the United
States Why have been fighting for forty years for
our rights We are at last free and would never con-
-. ,N,.t far hntr Rat
do not IN BE stand the Ordinance proposed by the gen
tleman from Prince George to propose that any laws Of
the United States should remain OF force in this State
[ appears 90 me the contrary, that the Ordinance
merely that there are some laws in force that
NAV still be retained though We have Withdrawn from the
Union aud have declared ourselves independent OF all
the laws of Congress IL seems TO me to be grave
ror in adopting. that Ordinance. believe Mr.. President
that the subject of postal arrangements is included in
that Ordinance also; am r;ghtY
The President Yea sir.
Mr. Gregg. With regard to postal arrangements the
whole system falls the ground It's ect is TO take
the United States officers and make them State officers
The laws of Congress for the collection Of Revenue
for the collection of for the support of the Fed
era Government at Washing Are those laws posi-
BILE to be continued in existence after Union is dis
solyedg Until Act OF Legislation by the General As
sembly or by this Convention how Revenues, which
are now collected by Act Of Congress- TO be applied
for the purpose Of Federal Union and by officers APP
pointed 10y the Federal Government How these Rev
Gu to be applied now received in South Carolina? 1t
seems 10 me that all those laws which relate TO Revenues
as well as Postonices are in their nseparaby
connected with the existence Of the Federal Government
at Washington and fall with the dissolution OF
connection with that government.
Mr. Dunkin. In regard to that Ordinance l have anX-
loudly inquired, and have Informed myself well
can be informed such subject II the Ordinance be
adopted things will go in the Custom House aud Post
Office exactly as they now. Pass the Ordinance
and If there is ANYTHING discovered TO be wrong to-mor