The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1860-11-14
Message Of Governor Gist. Of South
Carolina.

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EXECUTIVE DErARTMENr,
columbia, >. u. Nov. 8. 1860.
GEkTLEmEs Or THE SENATE
AND House or REPRESENTATIVES,:
Tho hct Of Congress, passed 10 the year
lstC, enacls that the Electors Of Presiden,
and Vice President shall be appointed on
The Tuesday next after the first Monday OF
the month Of November, OF the year In
which they are 10 be appointed. The an
nual meeting Of the Legislature Of South
Carolina, BY constitutional provision, will
not take place until the fourth MONDAY in
November instant. have considered il
my duty, under the authority conferred
upon me. to convene the Legislature on cx-
uaordinary occasions, TO convene you that
YOU may, on to morrow, appoint the num-
ber Of Electors Of President and Vice Pres-
dent 10 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 10 view Of the threat
ening aspect Of affairs, and The strong proba-
bili,y Of the election 10 The Presidency Of
sectional candidate, by party committed
10 the support Of measures which, II carried
out, will inevitably destroy our equality in
the Union, and ultimately reduce the South
ern States 10 mere provinces OF consoli-
dated despolism. 10 be governed BY fixed
majority in Congress hostile TO our institu-
lions. and fatally benz upon our ruin, would
respectfully suggest that the Legislature re-
main in session, snd take such action as
will prepare the State for any emergency
that may arise.
That an exposition Of the will OF the
people may bc obtained on a question in
volving such momentous consequences,
would earnestly recommend that in the
event Of Abraham LincoIn's election 10 the
Presidency. convention Of the people Of
the State be Immediately called. 10 consider
and determine themselves the mode and
measures Of redress. Ny 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 opinion in
unmistakabIe language, ] am constrained
10 cay that The only alternative left, 10 my
Judgment, Is the secession Of South Carolina
from the Federal Union. The State has.
with great unanimily, declared that she has
the right, spesceabiy, to secede, and no
power on earth can righlfully prevent II.
Tin the exercise OF arbitrary power and
forgelful Of the lessons Of history, the
Government OF the United Suites should
attempt coercion, il will be our solemn
duty % meet force BY force; and whatever
may be the decision Of the convention, rep
reseniing The sovereignty Of the State,
and amenable 10 no earthly tribunal. II shall,
during the remainder Of my administration,
be carried out 10 the letter, regardless Of
any hazards that may surround ito execu.
ton. ] would also respectfully recommend
. thorough reorganization Of the MiIifia, 60
a. 10 place the whole military force Of the
State in position 70 be used At the short
est notice and with the greatest efiicie ncy.--
Every man 10 tho State, between the ages
Of eighteen and ior,y-6ve, should BIO we'll
armed with The most efficient weapons or
modern warfare. and oil Of the available
means Of the State used for that purpose
In addition u this general preparation I
would also recommend tha, the scrviccs Of
ten thousand volunteers be Immediately &C.
cepted; that they be organized and drilled
by officers chosen by themselves. and hold
ia readiness 10 be called on up
on the shortest notice. With this preparation
Tor defense. and with al the hallowed mem
ories Of past achievements. with our love or
liberty and hatred Of tyranny, and with the
that we are contonding for the
'afety or our homes and firesides, we can
confidently appeal 10 the Disposer Of oil
luman events and safely trust our cause In
lis keeping. WM. II. GIST.