The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-04-26


force ? A. Well, sir, my opinion about
that my individual opinion, derived
from observations that this change
of opinion arose mainly from the opera
ton of the war among themselves, and
the results of the conflict from their own
authorities in their individual rights of
person and property, the general break.
ing down of constitutional barriers which
usually attend all protracted wars.
@, In 1861, when the ordinance of
secession was adopted in your State, to
what extent was it supported by the
people? After the proclamation Of
President Lincoln calling out 10000
militia under the circumstances it was
issued, and blockadng the Southern
ports and the suspension of the writ Of
habeoS corpus, the Southern cause, as it
was termed, received the almost unani-
nous support of the people of Georgia.
Before, they were much divided on the
question Of secession, but afterwards
they supported the cause, within the
range of my knowledge, with very few
exceptions. There were some few ex
ceptions, not exceeding half a dozen,
I think the impression then prevailing
was that public liberty was endangered,
and they supported the cause because of
their zeal for constitutional rights.
They still! differed very much as to the
ultimate object to be obtained, and the
means to be used, but these differences
yielded to the emergency Of the appre.
hended common danger
@. Vas not the ordinance Of secos
sion adopted in Georgia earlier in cate
than the proclamation FOR seventy five
thousand volunteers a. Yes, sir |
stated that the people were very much
divided on the question of the ordinance
of secession, but after the proclamation
the people became almost unanimous in
the cause. There were some few eX-
ceptions in the State [ think not more
than half dozen among my acquaint.
ances. l said, while they were thus al.
most unanimous in support of the cause,
they differed also as to the end to be
attained by sustaining it; some looked
to an adjustment or settlement Of the
controversy upon any basis that would
secure their constitutional rights; 9th
ers looked to separate Southern ma.
tionality as their only object and hope.
These different views as to the ultimate
object did not interfere with the gener,
al active support of the cause.
O. Was there q popular vote upon
the ordinance of secession? A. Only
so far as the election of delegates tc
the convention.
Q. There was no subsequent action
A. No, sir the ordinance of secession
was not submitted to popular vote af
terwards.
Q, Have you any opinion as to The
vote it would have received, as compar
ed with the whole, if it had been sub
mitted to the free action of the
people ?
Witness-Do you mean after it wa
adopted by the convention?
Mr.. Boutwell-Yes, after it wa
adopted by the convention, if it hac
been submitted forthwith or within {
reasonable time.
A. Taking the then state of thing
into consideration, South Carolina, Flor
ida and Mississippi, I think, havin:
seeded, my opinion is that a majorit,
of the people would have ratified it
perhaps a decided or large majority; i
however, South Carolina and the othe
States, had not adopted their ordinanc,
of secession, I am very we'll satisfied
that a majority of the people of Georgia
and perhaps very decided majority
would have been against secession i
her ordinance had been submitted t.
them but as matters stood at the time
if the ordinance had been submitted t,
popular vote of the State, it woulC
have been sustained that is my judg
ment and opinion about the matter
Q. What was the date of the Geor
gia ordinance A. The 18th or 10Th
| think the 10Th of January, 1861
though | am not certain.
Q, The question of secession was in
volved in the election of delegates t
that convention, was it not? A. Yes
sir.
Q. And was there on the part of can
didates a pretty general avowal of opin
ions ? A. Very general.
Q. What was the result of the elec
ton as far as the convention expressed
any opinion upon the question of seces
sion ? A, l think the majority was
about thirty in the convention in favol
of secession do not recollect the ex
act vote.
Q. In convention of how many
A. In a convention based upon the
number of senators and members of the
house in the General Assembly of the
State; the exact number l do not re
collect, but l think it was near three
huudred-pcrhaps few over or uu
der.
@. Vas there any difference in tn,