The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-09-04
CHAPTER THIRD.

CHAPTER THIRD.
south Carolina Secedes; Mai. Anderson spikes the
guns of Fort Moultrie and SEXES Fort Su1npteI. hs
trouble at Washington: Buchanan and Floyd; Inc
steamer "STAR OF THE WEST" fired upon; star after
star falling from the coronal OF the Onlon.
While foregoing events were Transporting
the attention of the country became hXed
upon the little State of South Carolina,
whose people were advancing with great
earnestness and unanimity in the direction
of delibsrate Withdrawal from the Union.
They had borne, and foreborne: warned,
protested, and threatened, IN VAIN. they
deemed that the Union had been created Tor
Protection and Good Government, not tor
the enforcement of fanatical. psuedo-phllan-
thropic, or peculiar political theories By the
majority over the minority, and as the pur-
pose OF the Confederacy had been p%ervertc
ed by a majority too strong to admit OF
any hope of rectification by mllder methods
there remained the only other alternative,
to-wit, peaceable Withdrawal from the hostile
association.
The State Convention which assembled
on the 18th of December embraced an I'M
usual number of the ablest sons OF the
Commonwealth. The sacred edlfice selected
for the sessions was damned with prominent
personages of both sexes. From the cupola
floated the State banner, displaying the de-
vice Of a palmetto tree supporting an open
Bible, showing the text: Tie Lori IS oar
''sttengM and rJuge, u rny present help N
slime Of trouble"
After e~lecting Gen. Jamison speaker. the
convention decided to adjourn to Charleston
in consequence OF the prevalence Of small
pox in Columbia. Gov. Frank w. Pickens,
the same day, delivered his inaugural, tax
ing strong grounds for secession. The Gov
ernor of Alabama telegraphed to the con
vention to "act at once without delay
Hundreds of influential persons from other
States, among whom was the venerable
Edmund Ruffin, of Virginia, were present,
wearing Palmetto badges, and urging on the
movement. This is a thing to be remem-
South Carolina. If she was the . cradle Of
SECESSION" she had a plenty Of help in the
rocking of it.
Upon the reassembling Of the Convention,
in Charleston, the entire day dec. 10TH
was taken up in debate touching the hiatus
IN the postal and revenue service which
must result from Secession. Resolutions
were also discussed looking to the sending Of
commissioners to other Southern States of
fering to form a new Union on the basis of
the Old constitution.
On Thursday, the Goth, the formal ordi-
nance was adopted without a dissenting
voice, and the convention took a recess until
6 p. N. The ordinance declared.-
: < < 1.-The Union now subs;st;no no.
tween South Carolina and other States I'M
der the name of the United States of
America IS hereby dissolved" X X
The announcement was received with q
storm OF rejoicing throughout the CITY and
State. Bells rang, and the chimes Of Old
St. Mlchaels church pealed ':AuH Lnuo
tSyne, and patriotic airs. Immense multi,
tudes crowded In, and around Institute Hail
to witness the ceremony of signing the ordi-
nance; The procession was formed with
the officers and members Of the convention
leading; the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatlves, with officers In full robes. the of.
fcers of State, and prominent nersonao .
After prayer by the Bishop, the Attorney
General produced the engrossed Act and as
the roll was called each member afixed b;S
signature. \ few moments of silence. and
then the venerable President. imnosino ~
silken robe, and insignia Of office, raised the
parchment III view of the vast assemble ao
and pronounced the State of South Carolins
by virtue OF this act, once more "a free and
independent Commonwealth"
instantly the multitudes were unon tbo;r
Ieef cheering madly; cannons doomed
~ oa anu me uproar ran over all
hnrr r1IsI even Tho tnG negroes joining in the wild
the refrain to every nook and corner oa'r tIa
State and before midnight bonfire " tne
l1ghted in a score of towns. "oie
Similar enthusiasm was renortea f.oa,
nearly all the largest Southern c;t;es ron al
noon next day, lOO-gun salutes we 49, e. AZ
honor Of South Carolina. at 49, hred IN
sacola, Mobile, Montgomery, and Zen en-
points In New Orleans, as the first p, ann