Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-11-08
IMPORTANT. FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
ChsFs.lon Courier. Extra, November 81 1850 IL NJ.
No. 1.

MOL.
Executive DEPARTMENT.
COLUMBIA, S. c., November s. 1860
GeaHey7n Of The Senate
and House Of Representatives:
The Act of Congress, passed in the year 1916 en-
acts that the Electors of President and Vice Presi
dent shall be appointed on the Tuesday next after
the first Monday of the month of November, of the
year in which they are to be appointed The annual
meeting of the LEGISLATURE of South Carolina, by q
constitutional provision, will not take place until the
fourth Monday in November instant. have con-
sidered it my duty, under the authority conferred
upon me. to convene the Legislature on extraordi-
nary occasions. to convene You that you may on TO
morrow. appoint the number of Electors OF Presi-
dent and Yice-President to which this State Is en-
titled
Under ordinary circumstances your duty could be
soon discharged by the election of Electors repre-
senting the choice of the people OF the state but IN
view of the threatening aspect OF AFFAIRS, ana the
strong probability of the election to the Presidency
of a sectional candidate, by a party committed to
the support of measures which, if carried out, will
inevitably destroy our equality in the Unfon- and
ultimately reduce the Southern States to mere pro-
vinces of a consolidated despotisu TO be governed
by xed majority in Congress hostile to our insti-
tutions and fatally bent upon our ruin. would re
specially suggest that the Legislature remain in
session, and take such action as will prepare the
State for any emergency that may arise.
That an exposition of the will of the people may
be obta ned on a question involving such momen-
tons consequences, l would earnestly recommend
that in the event of Abraham Lincolu's election to
the Presidency, Convention of the people of this
State be Immediately called to consider and deter
mine for ourselves the mode and measure of re-
dress MY own opinions of what the Convention
should do of little moment; but believing that
the time has arrived. when every one, however
humble he may be, should express his opinions in
unmistakable language, constrained to say that
the only alternative left in my Judgment, is the
eessiOn of South Carolina from the Federal Union.
The State has with great unanimity, declared that
she has the right peaeeably to secede and no poWe'
on earth rightfully prevent it.
If in the exercise of arbitrary power and forget
full of the lessons of history the Government of the
United States should attempt coercion it will be our
solemn duty to meet force by force and whatever
may be the decision of the Convention, representing
the sovereignty of the State. and amenable to no
earthly tribunal, it SHALL during the remainder of
my administration be carried out TO the letter, re-
gardless of any hazards that may surround its exc
cution | would also respectfully recommend a
thorough reorganization of the Militia, so as 10
place the whole military force of the State in po-
sition to be used at the shortest notice andyh the
greatest efficiency Every man in the State, between
the ages of eighteen and forty-five, should be well
armed with the most efficient weapons of modern
warfare and sll the available means of the State
used for tina. purpose
In addition to this general preparation. would
also recommend that the services Of ten thousand
volunteers be Immediately accepted; that they be
organized and drilled by officers chosen by them
selves and hold themselves in readiness to be called
on upon the shortest notice. With this preparation
for Defence and with all the hallowed memories OF
| past achievements with our love Of liberty and
hatred of tyranny, and with the knowledge that we
cOntending for the safety Of our homes and fire
sides. confidently appeal to the Disposer of
all human events and safely trust cause III His
keeping. WN. H. GIsT.