Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-05-15

To the Editor of The State: At
your request, l have prepared the
following article on the Constitu-
tional Convention of 1860, better
known as the "Seoession Conven.
tion." The paper comprises part
of the proceedings of the convention,
and incidents, and "reminiscences of
that eventful period.
The election of Mr.. Lincoln as
President of the United States, pre-
cipitated upon the country politi-
cal storm and sectional fury, which
had for nearly thirty years been
gathering with great volume and
force. The excitement in the South
was very great, and in South Caro-
lima it was intense.
In November, 1860, Governor
Gist convened the General Assembly
of South Carolina in extraordinary
session, for the purpose of casting
the vote Of the State for President
and Vice President of the United
States and, further, to see that the
State should not in the emergency
impending suffer any detriment.
During the early days of the seces-
sion excitement most remarkable
public meeting was held in Charleston.
Judge Magrath, of the Federal court,
the District Attorney, the Marshal
and the Collector of Customs, re-
signed their offices, rather than con.
tinue to serve the Federal govern
ment, especially under the incoming
administration of purely sectional
government. The meeting was one
of the largest ever held in Charles
ton, and great excitement was mani
tested. A strong committee was
appointed, with Judge Magrath as
chairman, to visit Columbia and urge
the Legislature to call a Constitu-
tional Convention for the purpose of
seeding from tho Union. The press
OF the State also very generally
united in urging this course.
On the 18th day of November,
1860, the Legislature enacted
"That a convention of the people
Of the State of South Carolina is
hereby ordained to be assembled in
the city of Columbia on Monday,
the 17th day of December, 1860, for
the purpose of taking into considera-
ton the dangers incident tc the po-
sition of the State in the Fedora,
Union, established by the Constitu-
tion of the United States, and the
measures which may be necessary
and proper for providing against the
same, and thereupon to take care
that the Commonwealth of South
Carolina shall suffer no detriment."
BY another provision of the same
Act the election for delegates to the
convention was to be held through
out the State on the 9th day of De-
cember. The canvass was unusually
short. But az a matter of fact no
canvass was necessary. There was
not much opposition to secession,
and what there was was by no means
active or violent. Ex-Gov. b.
f. Perry, j. l.. Pettigru, Esq, Judge
O'Neall, and few other public men
in the State, were opposed to seces-
sion. In addition to the gentlemen
named, there were quite number OF
persons opposed to this movement,
but they followed the conservative
course mapped out by their leaders.
The election passed of remarkably
peaceful and quiet and without un-
due excitement.
The convention assembled in Co.
lumbia on the 17th day of December
in the Baptist church. The sessions
of the convention were opened by
prayer. There we're four ballots for
President, the last one resulting in
the election of Gen. d. +. Jamison.
OF Orangeburg. Quite a number of
gentlemen were voted for by their
friends. Col. j. i. Orr, of Anderson,
received a very handsome vote.
Gen. Jamison made short address.
advocating immediate secession. b.
F. Arthur, Esq, Of Columbia, was
elected secretary.
A resolution was adopted unani-
mously by the convention, declaring
for accession at the very earliest
moment.
The presence of smallpox in the
city caused the convention, az well
as tho Legislature, to adjourn to
meet in Charleston on the following
day.
The members of the convention.
as well as the members of the Lcgis.
laturc, left Columbia for Charleston
at a O'Clock a. M, on the 18th.
From newspaper report of the