Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-05-15
77IfI[E CONSTITUTIONS
CONVENTION OF 1860,
Better Known as The Secession Convention "-Secesso
was Conceived in Columbia and Born in Charleston.
[Col. Robert A. Thompson, in The State. |

was the hour for leaving, and can
assure you that a scene ensued that
battles description. From 500 to
l,Ooo persons were fleeing from the
smallpox in a panic. Wise lcgisla-
tors, grave members Of the conven-
ton, with q crowd of hangers-on,
hastened to the depot Of the South
Carolina railroad. The first scram-
ble was for the ticket office, and it
was no small affair. Next was a
contest for baggage and checks.
This was scene not often seen in
the dignified capital of the State.
Everybody was desirous of being
hrst served; and, as consequence,
disappointment, sometimes vented in
bitter curses, ensued. Soon the
checks gave out, and with it the
moving of the cars, the platform
being piled up with baggage, and
each owner thereof holding on
thereto with the tenacity of poverty
to last change of linen.' The
prospect of being left with the small
pox was imminent, hence rush was
made, baggage in hand or on the
shoulders, as convenience suggested,
to the cars"
The ordinance of secession was
adopted by the convention unani-
mously, by yea and nay vote, on
Thursday, the goth day of Decem-
Der, 1860. All the members of the
convention, one hundred and seventy
in number, were present and voted
in the affirmative.
The convention met in Charleston,
at q o'clock p. m. on the 18th and
held its sessions in St. Andrews
hall, on Broad street. The House
of Representatives met in IIibernia
hall, and the Senate found quarters
IN the Court House.
AT 7 o'clock p. m. the convention.
Governor Pickens and staff, both
branches of the Legislature, and the
people, assembled in Institute hall.
on Meeting street to see the ordi-
nance of secession signed and rati-
fed. The crowd was the largest
that ever entered the hall. The
president of the convention called
the "house to order" The ordi-
nance had been enrolled on parch.
ment and was signed by every mem
b": OF the convention, the election
districts and parishes having been
called in alphabetical order. When
the signing was completed, the presi-
dent of the convention arose and
said "The ordinance of secession
has been signed and ratified, and |
proclaim the State of South Caro-
lima an independent sovereignty"
AS the signatures were attached,
one by one, the applause was great,
but when the President declared the
act perfect, the widest enthusiasm
prevailed, thunders of applause,
clapping of hands, shouts, whirling
of hats, and other demonstrations of
elation and JOY took place. Outside
OF the hall there was music and
thousands of people were unable to
gain admittance. Bontires had been
kindled in the streets, fire works
popped and blazed on all sides, and
happiness rested on the countcnancc
Jf all. The goth of Dcscmber, 1860,
was long to be remembered. 1t was
regarded as the second independence
of the State, and was hailed as the
harbinger of peace, safety, pro. per-
ity and happiness. At late hour
tho crowd retired, having realized
apparently their only earthly hope.
The convention authorized the
president to appoint Messrs. John A.
Calhoun, w. p. Finley, J. d. Will
son, w. f. DeSaussnre, Langdon
Cheves and NJ. e. earn, "to prepare
an address to the Southern States"
A committee consisting of Mcssrs.
John A. Inglis, r. b. Rhctt, James
Chestnut, Jr., James l.. Orr, Maxccy,
Gregg, B. f. Dunkin and w. r.
llutson, was appointed to draft all
ordinances to be voted on by the
convention.
a number of other important com
mittccs were announced from day to
day.
In Charleston politics or secession,
was the shibboleth. The excitement
preceding the election of delegates
was unheard of. The signs were
abundant. Across the streets, at
prominent points, on public and
private buildings, there were flags,
transparences, palmetto trees, the
leaf, notices, etc., characteristic Of
the contest. On restaurant was a
llfe-size painting Of Mr.. II. Barnwcll
Rhctt, which was illuminated each