Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-02-11
TIE SOUTHERN CONGRESS.
REroArKD FOR THE CHARLESTON COURIER ]
FIRST DAY

MONTGOMERY ALA, February 4. 1861.
The Convention called Together at twenty-five
mi utes past 2 A NJ, by Hon. Judge Chiffon, OF Ais
bama. Three Iaps Of the gavel summoned Numbers 10
their seats. The Aisies were cleared, aud
Mr.. Chiffon then said
Gtntisnest Of the C1preagiOR i nominate the Hon.
Mr. Barnwcll Chairman Of this Convention. All in
favor Of the nomination viii saw ave" The motion
carried unanimously.
Mr. Birnwcll was invited to the Chair, and after sim
py returning thanks tor the hOuor in the brieest man
possible, ced the Rev. Basil NJ Manly, formerly OF
the pst Church, Charleston open the session with
prayer The petition was most eloquent and was listen
ed 10 Sith profound silence
Tue Chairman suggested that the first business before
the Convention permanent organization, and ASH
ed II t the pleasure OF the Convention TO proceed
to take such action.
Mr. Rhett asked If il were not better TO elect Secro
tty first sud then call the roll to ascertain what States
we're represented. He made motion to that effect.
Mr. Memmucer moved 10 appoint temporary Clerk,
snd that the Delegates om the different States be re-
quested to hand il tbei' credentials. Agreed to.
Upon suggestion, the Chair appointed A H. Lamar, oil
GeOrsil Temporary Clerk
Toe CLERK took lis seat at the desk The credentials
Of Delegates from Alabama we're first read and the geu
Il eu representing that State advanced and signed their
names the oil In apha6eueal order, the States OF
Forda Georgia Louisiana, SSssSippi and South Caro-
, were called The credentials OF their respective De-
e CATIONS read aud the roll signed by members as
folors:
ALAr,A-R. W Walker r. H. Smith, J. L. NJ Cur
nv, " +. Chiffon, T. Hale Colin J. McRea, J. G.ll
Shorter David Z. Lewis, Thomas Fearn.
FLoRIpA-Jlcksou Norton J. z. Anderson, j. b. o v
ems
GEoEaa-Rohert Toombs, Howell Cobb. Franci, 5.
Birtoe D. ,. Cfa~iord, Eageucs A Nesbet, b. II. Hill,
A K. Wright, 7. K r. Cobb, A. Il. Keuau, Alex. Ii.
Stephens.
LorrslAxA-John Perkins, Jr A. Decout, c. NJ. Con-
rad. F. Keoner Sparrow, Henry Marshall
NIss,ss.ur,.-Wily p Harris, Walter Brook, n S.
Wilson, A. N. Clayton, W. Barry, j. 7. Harrison, j.
\. Z. Campbell
L. n. Keitt, James Chesnut Jr {. e. demenger W. p.
Niles Thomas J. Nitlcrs. W. w. Boyce
The Chair ;heu suggested the proprieiy OF elecung
permanent Secretary.
Mr. Bhe thought best 20 e!e,t the permanent Tres
iieut frs. Tris be thought the proper Iode ot
proceeding lie would therefore, nominate in the name
OF his colleague Oac iu whom the country r5pO cd all
coahdeuc, a.d who has been nsrious in the annals
oil the broken CoucdgraCy as ht Is true aud faithful TO
the cause OF the South lie nominated the Hon. Howell
Cobb. of Georgia The nomination received with
deseuiug cheers from tie crowd IN the iO6b:es and gal
lerss.
The Chairman asked how the vote should be taken,
whether By vote OF States otherwise; whether the ba
lot Of each individual shall count one or whether The
votes Of all the members from each State shall count but
one.
Mr.. Rhctt-As there seems to be but one opinion
among al the members, conceive that i. Il emnenty
propsr thl, the President be elected by acclama ion
The Chairman. Al who IN favor OF the nom.na'
ton viii say ave 70 the contrary no The response
was general and wholly affirmative.
NJ COBB was teu declared President Of the Couven-
ton unanimously chosen amid the applause Of the peo-
pie.
/ On notion the Chairman appointed Aessrs Rhett, Of
South Carolina; Walker Of Alabama, and Anderson, 81
Florida as the Committee TO wait upon Cobb, and noay
him OF his election Aud escort him 10 the chair.
Mr. Cobb took bis seat amid great applause lie sale
| IN substance, Is follows;
thanks tor the honor conferred upon me- shall end' 4
vor hv the fair aud impartial distribution OF tue duties oi
tas Caair % merit your commendauon Inc occasion
hat calls US together is 10 ordinary It Is solemn
ana impressive We meet the representatives OF Sove-
reign and independent States who have, by solemn Judg-
nerts dissolved the political association that bound Us
Il, ,bs Old Federal Union Of the that led TO THIS
determination It Is unnecessary for M 10 speak They
have already been announced; and II Is sufficient now 10
saw t4 they have been sahc'nt 10 lead to tas eLd o.
| tn people whom We here represent
The scparltian il fact. IL is rreyocahe Il Is per-
/ feet complete sad perpetual. Applause The great
day shch imposed upon s Is TO pro'Ge lot t.ee
tea government for their future security ana pttt'
tou We can ana should extend 70 Our late sister S'ae-
vb, ar, indeed united with Us by similar institutions,
cordial welcome 20 unite with Tor the ioImlton OF
n. Coalrdertcv Our responsibilities are great but lei
%, sudeavor pace before the eouury ard the "orI
o4r actions a. d sufficient justification OF ihemS'lVes-
With conf hence Ia tbe dstueSs OF our cause, We VII ln
aueur..s for tho Sluth new Of peace, security and
| prosperity. Great applause
| Nr Boyce then moved TO adjourn til tomorrow. He
hoxeyer. withdrew the mo:iou foe the moment
| On motion of Nr Rhe.t, the Convention went into
| the election of a permanent Secretary.
| NJ. Cli!.on nominated Johnson J. Hooper E.q, Ed
tor of the Montgomery Mail Secretary OF the Conven
| ton.
Ne Hooper was unanimously elected by acclamaton
Judge Walker. Of Alabama, moved that the DoorkeeP
! ers aud Messengers be elected.
| At the suggestion of Juige Wltters, oil South Care
Ina however the Convention authorized the President
| 10 make al the necessary mir or appointments
After which the body adjourned till Tomorrow a
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