Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1860-11-14
From the South Carolninn.
Messaxe from the Governor Of South.CaroLlna'

e. From the th-Caronian.l
Me.saee from the Governor of South-Carolina'
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
-, b. Columbia, S. c., Nov. D, 1861
Gsntlemen of the Senate and
House Of Representatives.:
The act of Congress passed in the year 1916, en-
acts that "the Electors of President and Vice Pres
dent shall be appointed on the Tuesday next aiter
the first Monday of the month OF November OF the
year in which they are to be appointed Inc an
nual meeting of the Legislature of south-Carolina'
by Constitutional provision, VIII not take pace
until the fouth Monday in November instant, and
have considered it my duty, under the authority
conferred upon me, to convene the Legislature on
extraordinary occasions, to convene you, that you
NAV on tomorrow appoint the number of Electors
of President and Vice President to which this State
is entitled
Under ordinary circumstances, your duty could
b. soon discharged by the election of Electors rep
resenting the choice Of Che people of the State but
in view of the threatening aspect OF affairs ana the
strong probability of the election to the Presidency
of sectional candidate by party committed to the
support of measures which, if carried out, will nev-
itably DESTROY our equality in the Union and ul,i-
matey reduce the Southern States to mere provinces
of consolidated despotism, to be governed by "a
fixed majority in Congress, hostile to our lnstt'-
tons, and fatally bent upon our ruin, would re-
specially suggest that the Legislature remain IN
session. and take such action Will prepare the
State for any emergency that may arise.
That an expression of the will Of the people may
be obtained on question involving such moment
ous consequences, would earnestly recommend,
that in the event Of the election of Abraham Lincoln
to the Presidency Convention Of the people OF this
State be Immediately called, to consider and deter
mine "the mode and measure of redress"
Nv 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 Ian
guage am constrained to say. that the only alter
native left in my Judgment is the secession OF South
Carolina from the Federal Union. The indications
from many Of the Southern States justify the con-
clusion that the secession of South Carolina will be
Immediately followed, if not adopted simultaneously
by them, and ultimately by the entire South The
long desired cooperation of the other States having
similar institutions, for which the State has been
waiting, seems to be near at hand, and, if we are
true to ourselves, will soon he realized The State
has with great unanimlty, declared that she has the
right peaceably to secede, and no power on earth
can rghtfuy prevent it. If in the exercise of ar
bitary power and forgeu Of the lessons of history,
the Government of the United States should attempt
coercion, it will become our solemn duty to meet
force by force; and whatever may be the decision
of the Convention representing the sovereignty OF
the State-and amenable to no earthly tribunal
shall, during the remainder of my administration,
be carried out to the letter. regardless of any hazards
that may surround its execution. would also re-
specially recommend thorough reorganization of
the militia so as to place the whole military force of
the State in position to be used at the shortest
tiee, and with the greatest efficiency. Every man
in the State between the ages 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 used for that purpose.
In Tradition to this general preparation, would
also recommend that the services Of ten thousand
volunteers be Immediately accepted; that they be
organized and drilled by officers chosen by them
selves and hold themselves in readiness to be called
on upon the shortest notice.
With this preparation for defence-and with all
the halowed memories Of past achievements-with
our love Of liberty and hatred of tyranny-and with
the knowledge that We contendng for the safety
of our homes and fresides-we can confidently ap-
peal to the Disposer Of all human events and safely
trust our cause in his keeping.
-'"e.s WILLIAM II. GIST.