The Oxford intelligencer., 1860-11-14
The Action of south Carolina.


the secession Of South Carolina, we deem it |
proper to afford our readers the latest infbr- |
nation we lave received from Columbia.
The Legislature convened on last Monday.
The Hon. VIM. ID. Porter, of Charleston,
who is in favor of the secession of the State, |
was elected President of the Senate, and
Gen. James Sinions, of like views, was elect
ed Speaker of the House. James Clarke,
member Of the House elect from lexington
District, refused to qualify, on the ground
that he was disqualified by holding the APP
pointnent Of Postmaster. His refusal was
tabled. ,e :, ,,t.r5
The following message was received from
the Governor
Message Of the Governor of South Carolina.
Executive DEPARMENr,
Columbia, S. c., Nov. 5, 1860.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House of
Representatives, The Act of Congress, pass
cd in the year 1876, enacts that the Electors
of President and Vice President shall be APP
pointed on the Tuesday next after the first
Monday of the month of November, 4the
year in which they are to be appointed, The
annual meeting Of the Legislature of South
Carolina, by constitutional provision, will
not take place until the fourth Monday in
November inst. 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 Eice-President to which
this State is entitled.
Under ordinary circumstances, your duty
could be soon discharged by the election of
Electors representing the choice of the peo-
pie Of the State, but in view of the threat
enng aspect of affairs, aud the strong prob
ability of the election to the Presidency of
sectional candidate, by party committed to
the support of measures which, if carried
out, will inevitably destroy our equality in
the Union, aud ultimately reduce the South
ern States to mere provinces of consoida-
ted dcspotism, to be governed by a fixed ma
jority in Congress hostile to our institutions,
and fatally bent upon our ruin, would re-
sppctfully suggest that the Legislature remain
in session, and take such action as will pre-
pare the State for any emergency that may
arise. .-e
That an exposition of the will Of the poo
pie may be obtained on question involving
such momentous consequences, | would earn
cstly recommend that in the event of Abr-
ham Lincon's election to the Presidency, II
convention Of the people of this State be i'm
nediatcIy called, 10 consider and determine
the mode and measure Of redress. My own
opinions of what the Convention should dare
do, are of little moment; but believing that
the time has arrived when every one, howev-
or humble he may be, should express his
opinions in unmistakabc language, | am
constrained to say that the only alternative
left, in my judgment, is the secession of
South Carolina from the Federal Union. The
State has, with great unanimity, declared
she has the right peacably to secede, and no
power on earth can rightfully prevent it.
II, in the exercise of arbitrary power and
forgetfuf of the lessons of history, the gov
ernment 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 amcnablc
to no earthly tribunal it shall, during the re-
mainder Of my administration, be carried out
to the letter, regardless of any hazards that
, may surround its execution. | would also
respectfully recommend thorough re-organ-
/ ization of the militia, so as to place the whole
) military force of the State in the position to
be used at the shortest notice and with the
greatest efficiency. Every man in the State
between the ages of eighteen and forty-fve
should be well armed with the most efficient
weapons of modern warfare and all the avail
able means in the State used for that pur
pose.
In addition to this general preparation,
= would also recommend that the services o
ten thousand volunteers be Immediately &C
, ceptcd; that they be organized and drillel
+ by officers chosen by themselves, and holC
: themselves in readiness to be called on upoI
the shortest notice. With this preparation
for defense, and with all the hallowed memo
ries of past achievements, with our love o
liberty and hatred of tyranny, and with tn,
knowledge that we are contending for tn,
safety of our homes and firesides, we cal
confidently appeal to the Disposer of all hu
man events, and safely trust our cause to Hi
keeping.
WM. III. GIST.
In the House the following proceeding
: took place:
On motion of Mr.. BUST, in compliance
with recommendation from the Governor
!, it was ordered that the electors be chosen a
& twelve o'clock tomorrow, by joint ballot
81 olso tbat fl,a roco,n,,,ooJ atsor roo,or,I;n.