Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-21
THE REy SETTgEPS. N south
PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATE CONVENTION
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOV. PICKENS-
E,nm n. Chnrle,,on Corrier Of Ms IsA.

PROCEEDINGS OF THE STATE CONNhNIlON-
INAUGURAL ADDRESS OF GOV. PlCAhNS'
From the Charleston Courier Of the lSh.
Columbia. December l7.-Pursuant to call, the Con-
venton assembled in she Baptist Church, Columbia De-
cember nth. 3, -.
beautiful silk flag. of blue ground and gilt fringe,
presented by lady Of Charleston, was suspended over
The State House. bearing side the words South
Carolina Convention 1885," the reverse Palmetto,
and At the trunk an open Bible, with the following;
"God Is refuge and strength very present heP 10
time of trouble; therefore will We not fear though the
earth be removed and though the mountains ee SarIeS
into the sea- The Lord Of Hosts is with u.s. the God OF
JAcOn is our refuge"
On motion of Ex-Governor Adams, Gen. D. +. jamie
sou was requested TO act as Chairman pro tenn
On motion of Mr. j. lizard Middleton the Chairman
was requested TO appoint temporary Secretary COL l.
Y SmOus Of Charleston, was thereupon requested W
act as temporary Secretary:
President Jamison came forward and addressed the
Convention "a follows:
Gsnis,a,n Il take it that we have met here under
the most solemn circumstance in situation more SOL
emn Than any of US perhaps have even been placed.
We have come here for the purpose, | take II, OF
throwing of government TO which have been accus
toned and OF seeking safeguards for our security
Il is most solemn act and trust gentlemen; We have
nil come here 10 preserve the honor and character OF
South Carolina If anything has been decided by the
late election is that South Carolina must be taken out
of this Confederacy in speedy amanner as possible
trust that nothing may interfere, outside pressure
no guarantees from abroad, will drive us from our pur
nose: for gentlemen there two dangers which we
ara 10 ayod-overtures from abroad and dispuations
from within trust that the door is forever closed
from any further connection with Northern Confede
racy What guarantees they offer us more binding
more solemn aud with higher sanction, than the pre-
sent written compact between us? Has that sacred ill.,
strumen protected from the jealousy and aggressons
of the Northern people, which commenced forty years
ago, and which ended in the Missouri Compromised
Has il protected from the cupdty and ayarce OF the
Northern people who, for thirty-fve years. have i'm
posed the burden of sustaining this government
chiefly upon the South? Has it saved US from Abolition
petonss intended TO annoy and insult us on the very
floors of Congressy Has that instrument enabled US to
acquire Que foot of the territory of Mexico where the
South furnished threeourths of the aud fourhths
of their graves? Has il thrown any obstacle around
10 the conversion OF California into tree soil State
without any previous territorial existence, without
defined boundaresy Did throw any protection around
the Southern settlers Of Kansas when the soil OF that
Territory was invaded by emgrants armed 10 crusade
against the South by the Northern people, when
their women contributed Colts revolveIs to put down
the savehoder Has not that instrument been trodden
under their very feet by every Northern STATE by placing
their book statutes nuying the laws Tor the recoYe
~ of fugitive slavesy
trust gentlemen, will put no faith in paper guar
antics They worthless unless written in the hearts
of the people. As there snO common bond between
ne All attempts continue US united will only prove u-
te 70 the least and smaller section OF the country Our
greatest danger from any division within border
In inaupurating great like this will
go onward and not be diverted from purpose by any
ctation from without, but do what sent to do.
can at this time offer you nothing better in Inaugural
ting such movement than the counsel of him who in
Aupuraed the French RevoutOn-tO dare, and again 70
dare aud pithOVt end 20 dare.
Ex-Gov Adams offered resolution to open the
sions of the Convention each day with prayer, and that
Rev Mr. Breaker perform that solemn service on this
-. he wa he rev.
erend gentleman proceeded to do the office be called
Mr. Spratt moved that with view to permanent
ganzlon the election Districts be called so that men,
beIs may answer TO their names.
Mr. Memminger suggested that all the forms used by
Legislatures should be observed He moved to amend
thereto e. by resolving that all the election Districts be
called in alphabetical order aud that members from each
shall advance present their credentials and then sign the
roll The resolution adopted and its provisions at
once complied with
Mr. Memminger also suggested that when the Dele
gates come forth, on being called they be sworn.
A Delegate replied On, no, that is not required;
come 10 unmake, not to make governments"
Mr. Memminger. Alb, we'll. thought they had to be
sworn.
A communication was received from Hon. James Far
row of the House of Representatives Committee on the
Inauguration OF the Governor elect, inviting the Conven
ton body, in pursuance to resolution, to attend
the ceremony OF inauguratiug the Executive.
On motion, the communication was laid on the table.
Mazyck moved that the Convention take a till
seven O'Clock.
Mr. Adams said that he proposed inviting the Com
ms.ioners from Alabama and Mississippi to address the
Convention tonight at o'clock II adjourn Till
then we will have done nothing towards organizing and
if the Commissioners speak, do nothing ess than
listen and our organization WILL in addition be Dostpon
ed for A day. The motion was lost.
Mr. 9SaG@ Of HSySa ah thS Ss HGGor
ballot.
.oI tba
ceeded to vote.
The whole number OF votes cast were l55. Nrees-
sary 10 4 choice IA majority -. The blot resulted
in no election, no one received a majority.
GA notion the House at once proceeded TO an other
ballot which resulted in no election.
On the fifth ballot Gen Jamison receivd lis. votes,
and was declared elected.
Gen. Jamisou Acknowledged the high honor con-
ferred on him in the following terns
Gentlemen of the Conre1itioH-When | say that
have no words 20 express the graf fcation which this
mark of your confidence has given me- say what
mean cannot express what feel; therefore, shall
saw but very little There is no honor for which
could be more grateful than the privilege OF signing the
act of this body hum,e member OF the Conventions
hut regard as the highest possible honor Of my life
20 sign il as your presiding officer.
We are engaged in a great sub sct-a most important
matter God knows what the result NAV be. That it
may turn out the glory and honor OF South Carolina
i. nv fe-vent wish and last prayer. May God he the
oser body like this have long since left dlberatye
bodies and must ask your indulgence for what may
lack | stated beio that had nothing TO say. /
cannot say any thing. cannot express the feelings
that agitate my bosom.
On motion of Mr. Lyles, It was
Re,olvsd That the President of the Convention ap-
point Clerk Messenger and Doorkeeper for the Con-
vention.
Mr.. Ingi, offered resolution providing that when the
convention adjourn it adjourn to meet at Charleston
Tues Law the Sh inst at four o'clock and TO request
the Delegates from ST. Philips aud ST. Mchaes TO pro-
cure suitable building
Mr. Miles seid-I will say few words the ques-
lion TO lay on the table. | will express my warmest
hone that the resolution Of the gentleman from Chester
6-d will not be adopted and do so because it is my
fixed conviction that the adoption OF that resolution and
the adj ourument Of this body from Columbia to any
other point without having taken action the event
which has brought together, will have the most
bappy if not disastrous elect the great in
which the South is united (Applause) There
tWo arguments which urged favor Of this propo
stion-One is the prevalence Of contagious disease,
the other is that there not sufficient accommodation for
| the members.
With reference to the first point, il the people Of
South Carolina prepared to their sovereignty
and take their position among the nations of the
a. an independent people, and prepared to face all
the dangers aud emergencies which grow out of
that attitude in my humble Judgment and opinion il
seems TO me 20 be almost peurile. think every ques
ton il subsidiary this great and important Of
sithdrawng South Carolina from the Union at the
Ii 81 moment practicable, and the misrepresentation aud
DEMONSTRATION that would necessarily of this
adjournment prior 20 any action, would dampen the
hopes of our friends and gladden. the hearts Of
mics They would say OF us-they prepared to face
world in arms but they runaway from the smallpox.