The eastern clarion. [volume] (Paulding, Miss.) 1837-1863, 1860-05-23
The Scene at the Secession

A letter in the Washington Constitution
gives a description OF the scene at the Sc
cession of the cotton States from the Ma
tlonal Convention. Ii says:
When the final vote on the last clause
of the minority report was announced,
and the Chair announced that it was car
ried, the dropping of pin might have
been heard in the Convention. Every
man, woman and child within the vast
hall in which the delegates assembled.
seemed aware that great crisis had ar
rived, and that events were about to oc-
cur in which the dearest interests of Amer
lean citizens were involved. From seat
Immediately behind the chairman | com,
manded full view of the hall and gal
leries. That great and hitherto tumultu-
Gus assemblage seemed awed into silence
and intense suspense. The silence was
broken by Mr.. Walker, of Alabama. In
few terse and eloquent remarks he gave
his reasons why he and his colleagues
could not accept the platform Just adopt
ed, in behalf of the people of his State
and why, under these circumstances, the
Alabama delegation deemed il their i'm
perative duty to Withdraw from the con
vention. No sooner had Mr.. Walker re-
sulned his seat, having discharged his sol
emn task, than Mr.. Barry, of Mississippi.
rose to his feet and read paper. setting
forth the reasons why the delegation of
his State had also resolved to withdraw.
When the reading of this grave act of
/ secession was finished, the gallant and el-
oquent Col Glenn, of Mississippi. in terms
of simple eloquence, intense feeling and
/ conscious dignity, which touched the
( heart of every one of the thousands who
/ heard him, explained why the Mississippi
/ delegation had reluctantly taken so seri-
Gus step. Then arose the venerable ex-
T Gov. Mouton, of Louisiana, who declared
/ that he and his co-delegates had resolved
/ to withdraw from the Convention which
+ had refused to acknowledge the great fun
/ damental principle of the Democratic par
/ ty, equality of the States. The respective
chairmen of the delegations from South
/ Carolina, Florida, Arkansas and Texas
then announced that they, too, would
withdraw, and caused to be inserted in
the minutes ofthe Convention their sever
al protocols, containing the reasons which
impelled them to do so. There was no
swagger, no buster. There was no threats.
no denunciations. The language employ
ed by the representatives of these seven
Independent sovereignties was as digniied
as it was feeling, and as courteous as il
was either.
As one followed the other in quick sue
cession, one could see the entire crowd
culver as under heavy blow Every man
seemed to look anxiously at his neighbor
as if inquiring what is going to happen
next. Down many a manly cheek did |
see flow tears of heartfelt sorrow. A pause
of few moments ensued after Arkansas
had withdrawn, and people were begin
ming to resume their composure, when
the pure and true-hearted Senator from
Delaware. Mr.. Bayard, was observed TO
enter the hall and proceed rapidly up the
central aisle towards the platform. When
he uttered the words Mr.. Chairman" in
a voice not devoid of agitation, although
resolute in tone, and when the Chairman
responded, "The gentleman from Della
ware, Mr.. Bayard, the Convention again
held their breath, not knowing what
course that high-minded statesman was
going to pursue in so great crisis. He
smoke but few moments. His language
betrayed the deep emotion which filled
his patriotic breast
He represented what were the views
and sentiments of his constituents; sta
ted that they accorded with those of the
delegations which had withdrawn; that
he had been sent by his people to repre-
sent them in great National Democratic
Convention, wherein delegates from al
the States of the Union could sit in har
mony and equality; and that as the Con
. yention no longer possessed that charac
ter. he and his colleague, Mr. Whitley
! would withdraw, confident that their &C
tion would he sustained at home. | hav,
seldom listened to more impressiv,
/ sneech. When all the seeding delega
tions had retired, it is impossible to por
tray the dismay of those by whose inso
, lent and factious conduct that grave even
bad been occasioned, and when motion
! to adjourn was made it was readily assent
Q ed to-