The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1860-11-14
Message Of the Governor Of South
Carolina.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.1
Columbia s. G., Nov. 5, 1860.
eMea Of lie Senate g

| Gealtleaea of Tie Senate %
4as aud Of the House Of Rep, esatatiues
faH The Act of Congress, passed in the year
1886, enacts that the Electors Of President and
Vice President shall appointed on the Tues
day 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 Le-
| gislature of South Carolina, by a constitution
al provision, viii not take place untilthe fourth
| Monday in November instant. have consi-
dered it my duty, under the authority con.
ferred upon me, to convene the Legislature
on extraordinary occasions, to convene you
that you may, on tomorrow, appoint the
number of Electors of President and Vice
President TO which this State is entitled.
Under ordinary circumstances your duty
could be soon discharged by the election of
Electors. 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 oil a sectional
candidate, by a party committed to the sup
port OF measures which, il carried out, will in
eyitably destroy our equality in the Union,
and ultimately reduce the Southern States to
mere provinces of consolidated despotisn, to
be governed by a fixed majority in Congress
hostile to our institutions, and iatahy bent
upon our ruin I would respectfully suggest
that the Legislature remain in session, and
take such action as will prepare the State FOR
any emergency.
That an exposition of the viii Of the peo-
pie may be obtained on a question involving
monentous consequences, would earnestly
Acommand that in the event of Abraham
Lincoln's election to the Presidency. a Con-
yention Of the people OF this State be immedi-
ately called, to consider and determine for
themselves the mode and measure of redress.
Ny own opinions Of what the Convention
should do, are 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, | am
constrained to say that the only alternative
left in my judgment, is the secession of South
Carolina from the Federal Union. The State
has, with great unaniinity, declared that she
has the right peaceably, to secede, and no
power on earth can rightfully prevent it.
lin the exercise of arbitrary power and
forgetful of the lessons Of history, the Gov
eminent of the United States should attempt
coercion, it viii become our solemn duty to
meetforce by force and whatever may be the
decision of the convention, representing the
sovereignty Of the State, and amenable to no
eaTuliy tIlDuild ~ oildilD uuiiuS IHe IetdlilueT
of my administration, be carried out to the
letter, regardless Of any hazards that may
surround ifs execution. ] would also respect
fully recommend thorough reorganization
of the Militia, SO as to place the whole militia
ry force of the State in a position to be used at
the shortest notice and with the greatest eff /
cheney. 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 all Of the available means
OF the State used for that purpose.
In addition to this general preparation,
would also recommend that the services of
ten thousand volunteers be immediately ac-
cepted that they be organized and drilled by
officers chosen by themselves, and hold them
selves 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 .knowl-
edge that we are contending for the safety oil |
our homes and fresides, we can confidently
appeal to the Disposer Of all human events
md safely trust our cause in His keeping.
VIM. I'll. GIST.