The National tribune., 1909-05-06
ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
CONTINUED from page one.)
outlined his own opinion in the follow
ing unmisfakahIe lanpnaro

outlined his own opinion in the follow
ing unmistakabIe language.
MY own opinions of what the Con-
vention should do are of little moment:
but believing that the time has arrived
when everyone, however humble he
may be, should express his opinions in
unmistakable language, / am constrain-
ed to say that the only alternative left.
In my judgment, Is the secession of
South Carolina from the Federal Union.
The indications from many of the
southern States justify the conclusion
that the secession of South Carolina
Will be Immediately followed, il not
adopted simultaneously. by them, and
ultimately by the entire South. The
long-desired cooperation of the other
states having similar institutions. for
which so many of our citizens have
peen waiting. seems to be near at hand;
and, IL We are true to ourselves. will
soon be realized. The State has, with
great unanimity declared that she has
the right to peaceably secede, and no
power on earth can rightfully prevent
"If, in the exercise of arbitrary DOW
er. and forgetful of the lessons of his
tory, the Government of the United
States should attempt coercion, it will
become our solemn duty to meet force
by force; and, whatever may be the de-
cision of the Convention, representing
the Sovereignty of the State, and amen
able to no earthly tribunal, it shall,
during the remainder of my administr
ton, be carried out to the letter, re-
gardless of any hazard that may sur
round its execution.
Il would also respectfully recon-
mend thoro reorganization of the
militia, so as to place the whole mill
tary force of the State in a position
to be used at the shorest notice, and
with the greatest efficiency. Every man
In the State, between the ages of IS
and As, should be well armed with the
most efhcient weapons of modern war
rare, and all the available means of the
State used for that purpose.
In addition to this general prepara-
ton, would recommend that the SER
vices of 10000 volunteers be imme-
diately accepted; that they be organ
lied and drilled by officers chosen by
themselves, and hold themselves in
readiness to be called upon at the Short
est notice. With this preparation for
defense, and with all they hallowed
memories of past achievements, with
our love of liberty and ahtred of tyr
amy, and with the knowledge that we
are contending for the safety of our
homes and firesides. we can confidently
appeal to the Disposer of all human
events, ana safely trust our cause in
His keeping.-Wm. H. Gist"
The Legislature promptly adopted
resolutions calling for the election of
delegates to meet in convention at CO.
lumbia, Dec. II, and the resignation of
Federal officers began. The first of
these was the Judge of the United
States District Court, followed by that
of the Collector of Customs, District
Attorney, and State Treasurer On Nov.
II Military Convention was held at
Millidgeville, Ga, which was har-
angued by Gov. joe Brown, who af-
firmed the right of secession and urged
his State to follow the example of
South Carolina. The Georgia Legisla-
ture passed bill appropriating $780,
600 to arm and equip the State, and a
bill for convention to meet on Jan.
9, to consider the question of seces-
sion. The Legislatures of the other
Cotton States followed in quick success