Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-12-05
THE SECESSION MOVEMENT.

call together the State Legislature, to Gods i'd
er the disunion question, he replies by refus-
ing the request. The Governor is willing to
go as far rs possible in defence of Southern
rights; but he is unwilling to place Maryland
in the position of seeming to entertain treas
enable designs against the Government and the
Union.
A large meeting of the people, irrespective
of party, took place in Essex county, Virginia,
on Monday a-week, headed by Hon. NJ. X. Ill.
Garnett, at which resolutions we're unanimous
iy passed appealing to South Carolina and
other States to forbear until Virginia could he
heard, and calling on all the States to meet in
Convention, and to make one more effort hon.
orably to preserve the Union and the guaran-
tees under the Constitution.
The Hon. Herschel V. johnson, late candi
date for Vice President on the Douglas ticket,
has written letter to the people of Georgia
taking the ground of Mr.. Stephens, depreca-
ting secession movements in advance of ag-
gressions under Mr. Lincon's Administration,
and advocating the policy of standing upon
the Georgia platform of 1850.
The last number of the Raleigh, n orth Car
olina, Standard, for many years the able expo
nent of the Democratic party of North Caro-
lima, contains several articles in which the edi-
tor announces his determination to resist the
Disunionists to the death. His conservative
and fearless conduct lost him the position of
of State printer, but he defies his enemies with
equal eloquenco and spirit.
At louisville, Kentucky, on Monday night,
the 26th November, mass meeting was held,
composed of men Of all parties, at which reso-
lutions were adopted declaring that kentuc-
ky does not despair of justice with the Union,
and appealing to the South not to desert the
common cause.
Senator Douglas, in a recent speech made
by him at Vicksburg, Miss, declared that he
was in favor of the maintenance of the Union
under the Constitution, and said the Admins
tration of Lincoln was powerless, as both hou-
ses of Congress were opposed to his policy,
and if the Sonth kept her members in their
seats he would be unable to carry out single
measure of Republicanism. He repeat
edly cheered by the crowd, and the Senator
remarked that he considered it good omen
that Union sentiments were still appreciated
at the most important point in Mississippi.
Gov. Gist, of South Carolina, sent mes
| sage to the Legislature of that State, on the
9th November, in which he says that in view
| of the proposed secession, it becomes doubly
| important upon that State to have direct
| trade with Europe, and advises that enterpri-
| seS for such purposes be fostered by guarantees
of say per cent. The Governor is author
lied to say that, in the event of secession, the
| Postmaster at Charleston will sever his con-
| nection with the Federal Government, and
this, with the resignation of postmasters gen.
orally, will enable the State to establish postal
arrangements for herself. The use of Adams
| Express is suggested asa temporary expedi-
| ent to carry the mails, and also an arrange
ment with the Federal authorities until the
! other States secede and the Southern Confed-
eracy is formed. In order to force the border
1 Slave States to join the new Confederacy, he
couusels the prohibition of the introduction
Of Slaves into South Carolina from States that
are not members of the same. This would
also serve as an excuse to reopen the African
| Slave trade.] The Governor advises the most
! stringent laws agninst Abolition incendiares,
| in order to supersede the necessity of the
| lynching process now in use. Referring to
the failure to obtain cooperation for confer
ence except from Mississippi and Alabama,
| he says but one course is left to South Caroi-
ma, consistently with her honor, her interest,
and her safety, and that is to back neither to
the right nor to the lett, but to 60 straightfor-
ward to the consummation Of her purpose, II
is too late to receive proposals for general
conference and South Carolina would be wan
ting in self-respect if she should entertain a
proposition looking to her continuance in the
Union. The Governor thinks that Georgia
Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Texas and Ar
kansas will follow the example of his State
| and eventually the other Southern States will
complete the galaxy. He says he cannot be
lieye that in the madness of passion an attemp
| will be made by the next administration to cor
rect South Carolina after her secession by re
using to surrender the harbor defences, Of
interfering with her imports and exports bu
| if mistaken they must accept the issue, ant
meet it as bee ONES men and freemen, who in
finitely prefer ann Initiation to disgrace.
No intelligent man doubts now that the Sc
cessionists have seized upon Lincoln's elec.
tion as an opportunity, not cause, for the
present movement. Their reasonable scheme
was concocted years ago. This is admitted by
some of their prominent men. Mr.. McGowan
a member OF the House of Representatives OF