Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1860-11-09
South Carolina Legislature.

The SoutI, Carolina Legislature, in pursuance
Of the Proclamation OF the Governor, assembled
iu Columbia on Monday last.
In the SENATE, the Hon. +. j. NTosfs was cal
led to tho Chair, certificates of election rend
aud members duly qualii-d. Thr Hon. W. d.
PoRrER wus unanimously elected President, and
upon assuming the Chair, addressed the body in
n short, but impressive speech
Gen. w. f.. MARTIN was then elected Clerk
a. ID. GOODWIN Reading Clerk, and - GAIL.
LARD Doorke rper
In the House Of Representatives., Mr. BorLEs-
TON, Of Fairfield. uron mot"n Of Mr. BUST, OF
Charleston. was called to the Chair, for the pur.
pose Of organization. The certificates Of cleo
ton were read, and the members elected duly
sworn in. A ballot was ordered for the election
OF Speaker, aud Gen. SMoNs having received
10 vo,es-ull the votes cast-was decla, ed
unanimously elected Upon being conducted
10 the Chair, I'll. Speaker returned his thanks in
feeling and appropriate terms.
The following message was received from His
Exccllcncy the Governor, and read by his Pr
vate Secretary, Col. Watts. It. commanded the
earnest attention of the House.
+,
COLUMBIA. 5. g., Nov. ., 1860. {
Gentlemen Of the Senate
and tie House Of Representatives
Ihe Act OF Congress passed i'll the year 1876,
cnacts that 'thc Electors of President and Vice.
President shall be appointed on Tuesday next
after the first Monday of the month OF November
OF the year i'll which they nrc TO bc appointed -
The annual meeting Of the Legislature uf South
Carolina, by constitutional provision, will not
take place until the fourth Monday in Novcin-
Der instant, and have considered it my duty
under the authority conferred upon me to con-
vcnc the Legislature on extraordinary occa.
sions. to convene you. that you may on to NOR
row appoint the number Of Electors of PreSi.
dent and Vice President to which this State is
entitled
Under ordinary circumstances, your duty
could soon he discharged by the election OF
Electors. representing the choice of the people
of the State; but in view Of tn: threatening ns
poet Of affairs. and the strong probability OF the
election to the Presidency of u scciio al cumdi-
date, 10y party committed TO the support of
measures which, If carried out, inevitably de-
stroy our equality in the Cnio:. and ultimately
reduce the Southern States to mere PROVINCES
Of Il consolidated dcsrolisni, to be governed by
n tixe'l mai rity in Congress, hostile to our in-
stitu'ions. and fatally bent upon our ruin l
would respectfully suggest that the Legislature
remain i'll session, and take such action as will
prepare the State for any emergency that may
arise.
That an expression of the will Of the people
may be obtained on n question involving such
momentous consequences, would earnestly re.
commend, that i'll the event Of iheSelccton of
Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, Conven.
ton Of the people Of this State be immediately
called TO consider and determine ..tlc mode and
measure Of redress"
My own opinions Of what the Convention
should do arc of little moment: but believing
that the time has arrived when every one, how.
ever humble lie may be, should express his
opinions in unn,isakab!e language, | am con-
strained to say, that the only alternative Irft in
my Judgment, is the secession of South Caro-
lima from the Federal Uniun. The Indications
from many Of the So thern States justify the
conclusion that the secession of South Carolina
will she Immediately followed, if not adopted
by them. and ultimately by the
entire South The long desired co operation of
tha other States having similar Institutions for
which the State has been waiting. seems to be
nearer at hand, and, If we are true to ourselves,
will soon be realized. Tho State has, with
great unanirhity. declared thul she has the right
peacal'Iy TO sccede, and no pow er on earth can
prevent it. IT, in the exercise Of
arbitrary power, and forgetful Of the lessons Of
history. Tire Government Of the United States
should attempt corrciou, it will hecnme our COL
may he the decision Of The Convention repre-
g. nting the sovereignty Of the State and
aulenabe to 10 earthly tribunuI-shalI ,luriuy
the remainder Of my administration, be carried
out 10 the letter, regardless Of any hazards that
may surround its execution. l would, also, re.
sp-ctfulIy recommend thorough reorganization
OF the Militia so as to place tile whole military
force of.thr State in position to be used at the
shortest notice, and with the greatest efficiency
Every man inSthe State Sbetween the ures of
eighteen and forty five, should be well armed
with the most effective weapons OF modern
warfare. and all the available means of the
State usfd for that purpose.
In addition t" this general preparation,
would also recommend that the services of len
thousand volunircrs be Immediately accented:
that they he organized and drilled by officers
clinsen by themselves, aid hold themselves in
readiness 10 be called OH upon the shortest
notice.
With this preparation for defence-and with
all the hallow-d memories of past achiev ements
--and with our love of liberty and hatred Of ty.
with the knowledge that we are
contending for the safety Of our homes and fire.
Hides-we confidently appeal TO the Disposer of
all human events, and sufely trust our cause in
His keeping. WM IL. GISr.
In the House Mr.. Cunningham (of Charles
ton) offered a resolution authorizing the Gov
e'h"i ~ use TIE appropriation ol SlOO,OOO
ordered by the Acts of 1859. for any proper
purpose Of common defence and peace re.
quircments. >
The recommendations of the Governors
message were made the special order for
Thursday nt o'clock in the Senate and House.
In the House W. O.. IscLrs has been elected
Reading Clerk; A. p NICHOLSON messenger
and c. NJ. GRAY Door-keeper.
COMMUNICATED.
MEETING OF MINUTE MEN.
Ca.;;uGS's Mills Oct 3,rh 1850