Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-11-28
THE SECESSION MOVEMENT.


The excitement in the South still continues.
Meetings are being held, speeches made, and
letters written-some for, and others against
secession. Senator Toombs, of Georgia, de-
livered speech on the 1st, at Milledgeville,
in which he took strong grounds for secession,
and asked his friends to give him the sword,
for if they did not, as God lives, he would
take it himself. The next evening, Hon. A.
81. Stevens also delivered speech, counsel
ing moderation and forbearance, and that the
people of Georgia should wait until Mr.. Lin
coin committed some unconstitutional act''
before taking any steps towards secession.
He compared our country to ssthe Garden OF
Eden, the Paradise of the Universe and said
that out of it we might become greater and
more prosperous, but his apprehensions were
that, like our first parents, instead OF becom-
ing, as they supposed, gods, the people of the
South, like them, will only expose their ma
kedness, ssturn demons, and at no distant day
commence cutting one another's throats."
The Governor of Alabama has written a let
ter upon the subject Of calling a convention
Of the people. He regrets that he cannot
construe the law as empowering him to call the
convention Immediately. He will await the
election of Lincoln by the Electoral College,
and will then issue his proclamation ordering
the election for delegates to the convention
to take place. The convention will be called
to meet on the 7th of January. The Cover
nor urges the selection of candidates at once,
with full assurance that the convention will be
called. He advises the separate secession of
Alabama.
Governor Magofin, of Kentucky has written
a strong letter in oppositian to the scheme of
the secessonists. He regards the election of
Lincoln as no cause for sssecession or rebel
lion," and alludes to the alleged wrongs sus-
tanned by the South at the hands of the North.
Yet he says he is opposed to secession. The
Governor is evidently reluctant TO take this
position, and only yields his own personal sem
timets to tho overwhelming anti-secession
sentiment of his State.
Gov. Letchcr, of Virginia, has written
letter, in which he says that 'sif the North
will respect and uphold the rights of the States,
the Union will be perpetual, our country will
continue to grow in power and influence, the
people of all sections will have secured to
them the blessings of peace, quiet and order,
and q prosperity, such as has never been
known or appreciated in our past history"
He says ssthe South asks only for the fair and
faithful execution Of the laws passed for the
recovery and protection OF her property"
A difference of opinion exists between Mr..
Buchanan and portion of his Cabinet. The
President, it is understood, will take ground
against the Sesessonists in his Forthcoming
message, holding that secession is unconstitu-
tional, that it was never contemplated 10y the
trainers of the Constitution, but that it was
expressly forbidden by their concurrent decla-
rations and the Interpretation OF the most en-
incnt expounders This has produced consid-
cradle excitement in South Carolina, where,
it was feared an outbreak would ensue, lot
withstanding all the precautions that had been
taken to prevent any rash movement. Secre-
taries Cobb and Thompson differ with the
President and justify the movements in the
South, and while consenting to hold their pla-
ces in the Cabinet, will announce their opin-
ions without reserve.
William l.. Yancey, in a recent speech at
Montgomery, Ala, on the crisis, said :-ssThis
night two weeks ago, was asked while speak
: | ing in New York, what course would advise
Alabama to take in the event that Lincoln
should be elected President. Acting in per-
feet good faith to the issues presented by the
, party, whose cause l advocated, and which is
sues contemplated solution of the political
question at the ballot box only, within the
Union, declined to give utterance to my in
diyidual opinions, which could only tend to
embarrass my friends and to encourage their
foes, but told the people Of New York that
should cheerfully give that advice to my fell
low-citizens of Alabama, whenever they should
see fit to ask it, [applause,] and redeem that
pledge tonight, by saying that in my opinion
the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Office
of President of the United States by the Black
Republican party, taken in connection with his
own political utterances, and the views and
acts of his party in Congress, and in the sew.
eral Northern States, is an overt act against the
Constitution, applause and against the Union
Tapplause, and such should be deemed
J sufficient cause for withdrawal of the State
| of Alabama, and resumption of all the pow
ers she has granted to the Union, by separate
secession" Prolonged applause.l
The speaker concluded with the following
} rhetoric :-stAs for myself, rather than live
on, subject to government which breaks the
compact at will, and places nae in position
OF inequality-of inferiority to the Northern
free negro-though that life might be illustra.
} ted by gilded chains-by luxury and by ease
/ would, in the cause of my State, gather a.
round me some brave spirits, who, however
few in number, would find grave, which my
countrymen, the world, and all future ages,
should recognize as modern Thermopyl@
Prolonged applause.]
| q q
i Two HUNDRED AND FIFTY PERSONS HANGED.
The Mobile, Ala, Mercury, of late date,
says: "We saw gentleman yesterday, di-
rect from Texas. He came from the region of
country where the hanging process was rife
some time back. He says the distant public is