The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1860-12-27
South Carolina Secession Ordinance
PaEga7

The proceedings 9th South Carolina Con-
VENT on at Charleston, on the goth December,
1869, at which the Secession Ordinance was
passed. is an interesting chapter ofhistory. The
hope and fears which actuated the members,
will be seen indicated below -
CHARLESTON, Dec, 20, 1869 PM.
MrIngals reported the following ordinance
We the people of South Carolina, in consul>
tation assembled, do declare and ordain that the
ordinance adopted by us in the Convention Of
the 23d Of May, 1898, whereby the Constitution
| OF the United States was ratified, an all acts
and parts of acts of the general assembly Of the
state ratIIying, the amendment to the Consti-
| tuition are hereby repealed. The Union now
| subsisting between South olina and other
States under the name of the United States OF
America, is hereby dissolved
The ordinance was passed unanimously, by
l69 members at quarter past one.
The news spread rapidly, and crowd col-
lected which did some Immense cheering,
MIR. Miles moved that tie clerk telegraph The
members at Washington. Carried unanimous
ly,
The ordinance was ordered to be cngrossed
on parChment and is to be signed by tie Pres.
ident and members at half past /. X o'clock this
evening, at the Institute Hall, and 20 be placed
in the archives of the State. In the debate on
the adoptioS Of the ordinance, McGrath said
What you have done to-day has extinguishcd
the authority Of every man in South Carolina,
deriving his authority from the General Gov
enment.
am in favor of this body making such pro-
visional arrangements as may be necessary III
the interval which exists between this moment
and the time the Legislature may act l am not,
however, to be implicated in tho. idea that there
is no lawful authority within the limits OF the
State except the general government
Mr. Gregg thought all the laws of Congress
should fall instantly to the ground.
Mr., CheeVer said an immense chasm had
been made in the law it is necessary to avoid
Inconvenience to the people, and we must make
temporary arrangements to carry on tile gov
eminent.
Mr.. Gregg-There is no law on the subject
Of the collection Of duties in South Carolina
Mr. Haynes--The Congress of the United
States is no longer our government. 1t will
be Tor our Legislature to say what laws of the
United States shall be continued and what not
Mr. Gregg-CoDgression laws for the col
lection Of revenue are for the support of the
Federal government. All the Post Office laws
fall to the ground on our dissolution with that
government
Mr.. Miles-We have to deal with stern fact
and realities. We must prevent confusion
anarchy and arrangement OF our government
officers. Things must for the present remain
in statW quo, Or confusion will arise.
Mr.. Haynes thought sudden action injurious.
Mr.. Chestnut-We must abide by such laws
as are best to preserve us from caapities.
Mr. McGrath thought the preent postal sys
tenn nuisance. He thought the public would
be better served by private parties
Mr., Calhoun-We have pulled the temple |
down which has been built gthree quarters oil
,t,,pu Il IL, III
mad reconstruct another. We are houseess and
homeless, and must secure ourselves from storms,
Mr.. Dunkin-- If that ordinance is passed
things VIII go on in the Custom House and
Post Office exactly as now, until other arrange
m ents are made by the Government.