The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-11-08
Rirtlmum pispattb.
MORNING......N NOV. S 1861
Important IRON ssu,h C.r.l,,.

The South Carolina Legislature met At o.
lumbia, Monday. After organization, the fol.
lowing message was received from the Gov
srnor:
The Act OF Congress, passed in the year
1916. euacts that the Electors of President
and Vice President shall be appointed OF, the
Tuesday next after the first Monday Of the
month OF November of the year in which
they are TO be appointed. The annual meet
ing OF the Legislature Of South Carolina, by
q constitutional provision, will not take place
until the fourth Monday in November in
staut. l have considered 1t my duty, under
the authority conferred upon me, to convene
the Legislature on extraordinary occasions,
appoint the number OF Electors Of President
and vice-President to which this State is en-
titled.
Under ordinary circumstances your duty
could be soon discharged by the election Of
Elect representing the choice OF the people
OF the State, but In view Of the threatening
aspect OF affairs, and the strong probability OF
the election TO the Presidency Of q sectional
candidate, bv party committed to the sup:
port Of measures which, if carried out, will
inevitably destroy our equality in the Union,
and ultimately reduce the Southern States to
mere provinces OF consolidated despotism,
to be governed by a fixed majority In Con-
gress hostile to our institutions, and fatally
bent upon our ruin, would respectfully
suggest that the Legislature remain In session,
and take such action as will prepare the State
ICT any emergency tQat may arise.
That an exposition of the will Of the people
may be obtained on q question involving such
momen toue consequences, l would earnestly
recommend that In the event Of Abraham Lin
coins election to the Presidency, Conyention
Of the people OF this State be immedia tely
called, to consider and determine for them
selves the mode and measure Of redress. My
own opinions of what the Conventio should
do. are Of little moment; bat believing that
the time has arrived when avery one, however
humble he may be, should express his opinions
in mistakable language am constrained TO
say that the only alternative left. in my judg-
ment, is the secession OF South Carolina from
the Federal Union. The State has, with grea
unanimity, declared that che is right, peacea.
bly,, to sesede, and no power on earth can
rightfully preventit
II in the exercise Of arbitrary power and
fOrgetful OF the lessons OF history, the Gov
ernment of the United States should attempt
coercion, 1t will become our solemn duty to
meet force by force; and whatever may be the
decision Of the Conven ton, representing the
sovereignty OF the State, and amenable to no
earthly tribunal, it shall, turing the remain :
der Of my administration, be carried out to the
letter, regardless OF any hazards that may sur
round Its execution. l would also respectfully
recommend a thorough reorganization Of the
militia, SO as to place the whole military force
OF the State in a position to be used at the
shor test notice and with the greatest efficien =
cy. Every man in the State, between the ages
Of eighteen and forty.five, should be we'll
armed with the most efficient weapons Of m mod-
ern warfare, and all the available means Of the
State used for that purpose
In addition to this general preparation,
would also recommend that the seryices OF
ten thousand volun teers be Immediately &c
cPptsd that they be organized and drilled by
officers chosen by themselves, and hold them
selves in readiness to be called on upon the
short test notice. With this preparation for de-
fence and with all the halo wed memories OF
past achievements, with our love of liberty
and hatred OF tyranny, and with the know
ledge that we are contending for the safety OF
our homes and fresides, we can confidently
appeal to the Disposer of all human events
and safely trust our cause in His keeping.
WA. II. GIsT.
The message was made the special order for
Tuesday noon, and the Legislature adjourned
The conviction Of the necessity of secession
10 hourly gaining ground. The federal OH
eials OF Charleston are said to have their re.
signations written.
At the celebration in Savannah of the com.
plstion of the Charleston and Savannah Rail-
road, the Mayor OF Savannah pledged fifty
thousand Georsians to rush to the assistance
OF South Carolin,, il coerced Collector Col.
cock, OF Charleston, made an eloQuent dis
uaiou speech. MIR. Buchanan was toasted as
the last of an illustrious line.
There is the grea test en- Ii usiasm for South.
erR Contederacy here. Every hat has q cock.
ade and all minds are resolved TO fight.
COLUMBIA, Nov s-12 P. MA caucus was
held tonight, at which il WAS ascertained that
a large majority Of the Legislature are for i'm.
mediate secession by State action.
An immense crowd assem- bed this eyenin z
at the Congaree House and serenaded Senator
Chestnut. He spoke long and eloQuently, de-
claring the last hope Of the Union gone and
resistance unavoidable. The speech was en-
thusias tically received, because Mr.. Chesn 1t
was hitherto uncommilted.
1t rumored that Senator Hammond will
follow suit.
Messrs. Bonham, Rhett, e1- Gov. Adams and
others spoke also in the same strain.
by TRLEGRAPHl
CHARLRsToh, Nov. THE U. S. Judge for
this district resigned his Office this morning
in open court.
COLUMBIA, ). c., Nov. I'm the Legisla-
ture yesterday, joint resolution was adopt
ed making the special order of the day for
Thursday, the question OF recognizing the
militia and preparing the State for defence.
MIR. Brist, urging it in the House, said ac-
tion should be prompt, immediate. un9 uall-
fled, effective and decisive in case of Lincoln IS
elect
Hon. VIM. O. Boyce spoke yesterday, from
the steps Of the Congaree Hotel, urging Sc
cession in case of Lincoln's election. He was
followed by other prominent Carolinians.
CHARLESTON, Not7-P. M.-James Connor,
U. S District Attorney, ana w. +. Colcock,
Collector of the port have resigned.