The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-29
By D. w. McIyer.


 The scenes of the secession agitation in Alabama far surpassed anything in in- tensity of feeling and widespread interest that has ever taken place in the State before or since, or that has transpired in it's history since its admission into the Union. The question at issue involved a conflict of arms, an arbitrament by the sword. and those engaged in the discus sion very we'll knew this, realizing at the same time that the outcome of the mat ter was extremely dark for the State, and the act of secession very doubtful in , its ultimate success and accomplishment
 The feeling as left in the last article, was that the State should not secede. and that if the ordinance of secession was submitted to the people for ratification much was conceded by MT. Yancey and his followers in the convention and it was known thst If a vote had been taken af- ter the speeches of MT. Jemison and of MT. Davis. that if the resolutions were adopted at all 1t would be by a very close and uncomfortable margin-probably one vote or so. It was decided to be the part of discretion and sound policy to post pone final action. hoping for something to turn up, and that something did turn up in the activity in preparations for war-the firing upon gunboats and ves- sels around Fort Sumter and the seces- sion of other sister Southern States. When the Convention met the next day there was noticeable a most marked change in feeling and while those who had changed clung to their opinions as to the mode of procedure. they were true and loyal to their beloved State and were fixed and resolute in their purpose to put all else aside and stand by her in time of need and distress. It was critical moment-when patriotism and love f- of home were to combat opinion and per- sonal judgment, and :he former won over all odds, and when the final vote came there were not many strong hearts to stand out against the majority. The ap- peals of Mir. Yancey finally prevailed and tte signing of the instrument could not be resisted The history of those days should be kept fresh in the minds of the present and coming generations. not for reasons of Keeping alive animosities and strife. but higher and purer motives of melting all to an understanding thereof and inspiring them to strive for the preservation of the Union and to prevent a recurrence of such things in the fu- ture.
 The members of the Convention of 1861 were from the leading and most aristo- cratic families of Alabama, all of whom were slave holders, and while agreed on the results to be obtained they differed as to the means and policy to be pursued. We'll do I remember those days, although a lad not yet in my teens. and I have not yet forgotten them, nor will they ever be eradicated from my memory so long as life shall last, and today read with greatest interest the proceedings of that Convention and the action of the ma Jority. and I am sure there are many all over Alabama who will do the same thing hence I feel that no apology is necessary for presenting those scenes and the last words spoken in that memorable Con- vention. The account of the proceedings is taken in the main from Hodgson's Cra- de of the Confederacy:
 Secession Adopted.
 On the morning of January 10. 1881. the Alabama Convention met at the Capital and the President laid before them dis N1I1 ~f ho fGQiC sipni Convention announcing that they had adopted an ordinance of secession for their State by a vote approaching unanln- ity and that Mississippi desired on the basis of the old Constitution a new Union with the seeding States.
 A dispatch from Charleston was also read, announcing that a steamer with endorsements for Fort Sumter was fired into by the forts. that she was disabled, had retreated and was lying at anchor. The dispatch suggested but did not vouch for the truth of the statement, that the disabled vessel had hauled down her colors.
 Another dispatch said that Anderson. it is said and believed, intends firing upon our shipping and cutting off communica- ton with the fort. Another said that An derson writes to the Governor he will fire into all ships. Governor replies aud jus tiies what he did. Now Anderson replies tion to Washington. All this was an ex- citing prelude to the grave business Of the day.
 MT. Yancey then, from the committee of thirteen, reported an ordinance of se- cession for Alabama withdrawing ''all the powers over the territory of said State, and over the people thereof, here tofore delegated to the Government of the United States of America" and in- viting the slave-holdinR States to meet the people of Alabama February 4th, 1861. at the city of Montgomery for the purpose of consulting with each other as to the | most effectual move of securing concerted and harmonious action in whatever meas- l ure may be deemed most advisable flor | our comon peace and security"
 MT. Jere Clemens, from the minority of | the same committee made a. report sign | ed by six of the thirteen members. They | said that they were unable to see in sep arate State secession the most effectual | mode of guarding tho honor and securing | the rights of the State. but that it was | becoming to make an effort to obtain | ested before deciding finally and con upon a policy of their own. They contended that in so important a matter sound policy dictates that an or for the ratification and approval of the pc opIe. The resolution submitted with this minority report recommended con- vention of all the Southern States to meet the wrongs of the South and to devise appropriate remedies. A basis of settlement was suggested by the res olutions, but not to be regarded as abso- lute and unalteroble If the proposition for q conference should be rejected by any or all of the States then Alabama should adopt such plan of resistance as might seem best calculated to maintain her honor and rights. In the meantime. Alabama would resist. by all means at her comand any attempt on the part of