The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-27
SOME HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT
ALABAMA'S SEATS OF GOVERNMENT

the unionists and the co-operationists
would by combination be able to organizes
and control the action of the convention.
Both<sides were loud in their claims
1.-THE convention met in the hall of the
mouse or representatives in the capitol
puliolng on the day fixed for the assem-
bling, and so keen was the interest that
not single one of the 100 delegates failed
to answer to his name at the roll call
Both sides on the night before the meet
ing claimed to have the majority, and to
secure harmonious organization It was
agreed that one representative from each
side should go to the stand, on assembling,
and put In nomination its candidate for
chairman of the convention. When tho
body gathered, however, the unionists and
the co-operationists, who had evidently
caucussed. found out that they were in the
straightout secessionists to organize by the
minority and they quietly allowed tho
election of William 8. Phillips, of Dallas.
as temporary president, and A. @. Horn, OF
Mobile and 8. d. Brewer, of Montgomery,
as temporary secretaries The opening
prayer was by Rev. Basil Manly, a dstin-
guished divine of the Baptist church.
ION the 10th doy OF January Mr.. YanceH
chairman of the committee appointed to
draft the ordinance OF secession, presented
the majority report of the committee em.
bodyfng the ordinance of secession as fol-
lows:
"tAn ordinance to dissolve the union be.
tween the state of Alabama and other
states united under the compact styled
"The Constitution OF the United States of
America
Whereas, The election Of Abraham
Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin to the Offices
of president and vioe-prssident Of the Unit
ed States of America by . sectional party,
avowedly hostile to tbs Domestic iustttu-
lions and to the peace and security OF the
people of the state Of Alabama, preceded
by many and dangerous infraotions OF the
constitution of the United Gates by many
of the states and people Of the northern
section, is political wrong, Of 30 insulting
and menacfng a character as 10 justify the
people of the state of Alabama In tho adop-
ton OF prompt and decided measures for
their future peace and security: therefore,
BE 1t declared and ordained. by the
people OF the state OF Alabama, In conven-
ton assembled, That the state Of Alabama
now withdraws, and Is hereby withdrawn,
from the union known as the United States
of America, and henceforth ceases to be
one of said United States, and Is. and of
right ought to be, sovereign and indepen-
dent state.
Sec Q. BIT 1t further declared and or
dained, by the people of the state Of Ala
bama, in convention assembled, That all
the powers over the territory of said state.
and over the people thereof, hsretofore
delegated to the government of the United
States of America, be and they are hereby
withdrawn from said government, and are
resumed and vested in the people of the
state of Alabama.
" BE II resolved by the people Of Ala
bama in convention assembled, That the
people of the states of Delaware, Maryland,
Virginia, North Carolina. South arolina,
Florida, Georgia. Mississippi Louisiana.
Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee. Kentucky and
Missouri be and are hereby invited to
meet the people of the state Of Alabama,
by their delegates, in convention, on the
4th day OF February, A D., 1851. at the city
of Montgomery, in the state OF Alabama,
for the purpose of consulting with each
other as to the most effectual mode OF Sc
curing concerted and harmonious action in
whatever measures may be deemed most
desirable for our common peace and securi-
ty.
"' And be 1t further resolved That the
president of this convention be, and Is here
by instructed to transmit forthwith, copy
of the foregoing preamble, ordinance ana
resolutions to the governors OF the several
states named in said resolutions.
"Done by the people of the state OF Ala
bama, in convention assembled, at Mont.
gomsry, on this, the eleventh day of Janu-
ary. A. D. 1851.
1.-THE minority of the committee presented
its report dissenting from the report of the
majority.
1.-THE official copy of the ordinance was
enrolled on parchment by Mr.. Joseph b.
Goode, who is still resident of Montgom-
cry, and the convention adopted resolu-
ton thanking Mr.. Goode for his WORK, he
making no charge.
1.-THE convention elected the following
deputies to represent the state in the con.
gress of seeding states called to meet In
the city of Montgomery on the 4th day OF
February: Richard W. Walker, of Lauder
G@1t GA1ty
McRae of Mobile: John GIL Shorter, of
Barbour; W. P. Chiffon, of Montgomery;
s. F. Hale. of Greepa: David p Lewis OF
Lawrance; Thomas Fearn, of Madison, and
]. L. NJ Curry, of Talladega.
1.-THE convention then proceeded to the
making of changes in the state constitution
to adapt 1t to the new order and remained
in session until the 25th of January when 1T
recessed until the 4th of March. finally adj
journing on the Dist Of March, 1861
'Mr. Davis, at the time of his election,
was at his home at Brisrfield, Miss. The
fact of his election was made known to
him and he reached the city of Montgomery
on Saturday, February 16, in time for his
inauguration on the 18th. That event was
one of the grandest pageants ever Witness
ed In the city of Montgomery.
"At noon or q little earlier on Monday,
the 18th of February. 1861. the inaugural
procession was formed in front Of the EX-
change hotel and the line of march was
up Dexter avenue. then known as Market
street, to the capitol.
"Mr. Davis, the president-elect, rode in a
magnificent carriage drawn by four splen-
did gray horses. The carriage was the
property Of Mrs. C. A. Lomax, who is still
\ resident of this city. she having rendered
its use for that occasion.
1.-The Invocation was by Rev. Basil Man.
ly, and after it Mr.. Davis took his position.
facing the people, Immediately in front OF
the door and between the two columns,
Mr.. Cobb being to his left, while Mr..
Stephens the vice-prexident, occupied a
chair to his right. but q little In the rear.
Mr.. Davis delivered short address to the
people which was received with outbursts
of applause, and at its conclusion turned
to Mr.. Cobb, saying: Il am now ready to
take the oath of office
1.-THE oath was then administered by Mr..
Cobb. and tho fact was announced by the
booming of cannon. The whistles of the