Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-12-25
[Southern Correspondence. !
COLUMBIA, S. G., Dec. 18th, 1860. I

lSouthern Correspondence
COLUMBIA, S. O., Dec 18th, 1901
-. o'clock, P. NJ
E0ator o. opectGtor'-DEAR SIR IL have
to-day been the witness of two most interesting
events IN the history of these United States. and
most particularly of the State South Caro-
hna-soon to become, by her own deliberate act,
separate and independent State, -as= far as her
resolves can make her SO. / have reference to
the assembling and organization of the Conven-
ton, recently ordered by the Legislature of this
state lot the special and predetermined purpose
OF adopting an ordinance of secession; and the
inauguration OF the new Governor elect-Col. F.
W. Pickens-under the forms Of the Federal
Constitution and of her own State Constitution.
At balf-past 10, P. NJ, at the Baptist Church,
the Convention was formally called to order by
Ex-Gov. Adams, of this, Richland district, by
the nomination of Gen. D. F Jameson, OF Barn
well district, as temporary Chairman; and Mr..
-, OF charleston, as Secretary. Gen. jam
eison assembled the platform and delivered brief
address-briefly reconnting the grievances S. O.,
as one OF the Southern States, had endured at
the hands OF the General Government in the ex-
actions made under the name of the tariff; the
insults and injuries Of the Northern States IN the
fanatical interference for forty years with the
subject OF slavery; and in the consummaton of
those interferences by the election Of Lincoln
which he declared was the "overt act;" that
the State had assembled this day, ia her sover-
eign capacity, to assume to herself those rights
she had reserved when becoming party to the
general compact, as one OF the thirteen States,
and was now to assert at once u71d foreger, her
sovereignty and independence. He appealed to
the COnv entlOn IN the most earnest and impress
slve manner not to permit any attempt at COM
promise, concession, or desire to delay their
action, to influence them from one lnoment-
come from what quartz. they might, but to re-
sst all outside pressure, and march straight for
ward to finish the work they had assembled to
pertorm-to adopt an ordinance for Immediate
secession. His short address was listened to with
wrapt attention by the Convention and large
audience of deeply interested spectators that
filled the balance of the Church. The personnel
of the Convention, need not say, for dignity
of appearance, position, and legislative, and iu-
dicial experience, would command unqualified
respect any where. Scan the list OF lis mem
bers have sent you, and select the names OF
her Ex-Governors, members OF the u s. Senate.
House of Representatives and her Judiciary. and
il will be difficult to convene another such body
anywhere-even in the ''Qld Dominion, and.
with all respects for her, do not believe she Can
equal it, Gov. Adams then moved that Rev.
Mr.. ------, of the Baptist Church ia Which they
had assembled, DO invited to open its delbera-
tions with prayer. HI made brief aud mod.
erately good prayer-asklng Divine blessing apd,
protection on the State especially, and the
Southern States but Ais invocation did not
GROSS Mason and Dlxon's line. The organ, cation
OF the Convention then commemorative Score
tary calling one or two districts, the members
from which came forward, and one from each
district handed the credentias ot himself anu
colleagues to the Secretary, who read each in
full-aud the members recorded their names,
and doubl not telL and Thought they wonli be
as immortal one century hence as those anam0r-
tai patriots who, in old Independence Hall, in
l776, under the heavy responsibilities then SUR
rounding them, signed the Declaration OF lnde-
pendence. Over the Presidents neatl, was sus-
pended small, deep-blue flag, with-"Tne Con-
vention OF s. Carolina. 1860" inscribed upon it,
The hour-hand OF the clock now pointed very
closely TO the hour at which the other import
ant scene was 10 be enacted, and hastened to
the State House. / took seat in the floor OF
the House OF Representatives, and in short
time the staff Of tie door keeper OF the Senate
Informed US OF the approach OF that body. The
venerable and sour looking officer OF the House
OF the same dignity, raped with his cane and
|
speaker raped three times and commanded the
House to rise and uncover themselves to receive
1.-THE Senate. After an interval of some five min
utes the door-keeper OF the Senate was again
heard thro' his big cane, and o9r door kee per
also heralded the approach OF the Governor elect
and the, Hon. Howell Cobb, the Commissioners OF
Alabama and Mississippi, with the Committee
from both Houses as their escort, attended by
the Sheriff OF his county, bearing the old mace
and colonial sword--the latter Zig enough for q
Philistine. The Governor and Lieut.. Gov. and
secretary Cobb assembled the platform or dais
lon which the speaker sts--as spacious as q
modern pulpit and much like-and Secretary
Cobb took the speakers chair-Governor Pick
ems advanced to the front, and in a most digni-
fed and impressive manner read his Inaugural
He, as did Gen. JAMESON, also briefly reviewed
the causes which had impelled S. 9. to place
herself in the position she now occupies, and
declared that her purpose was immediate and
unqualified secession, final and rrevocable thai
no compromises or concessions of 0ny kind OF
from G,ay quarter were to be listened TO- These
several sentiments were vocferously applauded
on the floor, and by the gallery crowded with
the beauty and elite OF the city. The clerk OF
the House then held the Bible to the Gov. elect
and the Speaker in his official robes recited the
oath line by line from memory, while the Gov
repeated after him, the House standing uncov-
ered-and do tell you, the scene at that mo-
ment, could it have been transferred to canvass
would be most graphic and deeply interesting
one. The Speaker addressing the Governor
who. with his hand resting on the Bible, and
his deep black eye (not unlike in that feature
and his forehead the immortal Webster) turned
upon the Speaker; Secretary Cobb just in the
rear, but in full sight, and with look OF deep
earnestness, witnessing the scene; the Senate
and House in wrapt attention; the picture Of
the great and immortal Washington just above
trownSng down npon the actors in this scene Of
Disunion My God what were my feelings!-
leave you, my dear sir, to imagine. Oh! for
for the eye, sometimes wish, that could ken
the awful future-but, doubt not, Ills hid in
mercy from our eyes. Meeting the Secretary Of
State. was invited to the room of the Gov. e.
lect to take glass of champagne, which | &C
cepted. Yours truly, J. NJ. MoCUE.
P. S. 6 o'clock P NJ, Dec II, 1860.
| The Convention, after four ballots, elected
Gen. Jameson President of the Conventions
worthy, good man, but as inferior to Col Orr az
you could imagine. The truth is, Col Orr has
been regarded as too conservative to meet the
present extreme feelings of this people. They
| 1.-THE Oonvention) adopted resolution to take q
recess, to meet in Charleston tomorrow at o.
clock P. NJ. The smallpox, together with q
want of comfortable accommodations, has in
duced this step. They meet tonight at z o.
clock, P. NJ, to hear Col. Gilmore, of Ala and
Gen. Hooker, of Miss. The Legislature meets
Tonight and donht not will also 90 TO Charles