The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-09-21
the OLDEST and the MOST
BELOVED PRINTER.
Patriotic Statesman, vaIorous Soldier,
Devoted c~hurchman, Citizen
Without Repruaeh.
BY P. Fl. l?ike.

The last living survivor of the seces'
sion convention-face to face with the
only man living who, fifty years ago,
affixed his name to the parchment
which set forth the ordinance that
caused the great Cival Wharf.-The other
one hundred and sixty eight have al
passed to The great beyond-only one
left to tell of that history-making con-
yention-Robert Anderson Thompson
Had the issue of States rights pre-
vailed the names of the signers Of this
ordinance would have been written in
letters of gold on the hearts: of their
countrymen for ages and ages yet to
come. It was of this convention that
the late DR.. J. 81. Thornwell, the most
illustrious personality Of the Southern
Presbyterian church, said: 1T EN-.
braced the wisdom, moderation and
integrity of the bench, the learning and
prudence of the bar, and the eloquence
and learning of the pulpit" And the
newspaper man was face to face with
the only one left of that distinguished
and representative body. When asked
to tell something Of the convention and
its proceedings in his own way, Col.
Thompson said:
THE SECESSION CONVENTION.
s"There were more white-headed men
in that convention than any gathering
I ever attended. 1t was a remarkable
body, in that it was truly representa-
tive of the people of South Carolina
and the spirit of the times. Every cal
ling and profession was represented by
leading opponents of character ana
conviction. The legislature issued the
call for the convention, just as any
constitutional convention is called.
There were no bars or restrictions as to
any citizen serving as a delegate.
Members of the legislature. members
of congress, judges and chancellors,
ministers and other professional men
were there. The various districts
elected their delegates, and in the low
country, Of course, they were selected
from parishes. l was q commissioner
in equity at the time l was elected a
delegate.
THE CONVENTION.
ION December II, 1850, the conyen'
ton met in the Baptist church in Col
umbia. The legislature was in session
at the time. saw clearly at this hrst
session that secession would result. In
fact, it was agreed to. A rumor went
about that there was smallpox in Col.
umbia, and the convention adjourned
to meet the next day in Charleston. AT
the Columbia meeting organization
was effected By the election of General
ID, F. Jamison of Barnwell president
and 3. F. Arthur of Columbia, clerk.
The convention on December 10, at q
D. M, met in st. Andrews hall IN
Charleston. The State legislature fol
lowed the convention to Charleston.
and the house of representatives helo
it's sessions in .aibernian hall, while the
senate held its meetings in the Charles
ton court house.
Thursday, December 20, 1850, was
the momentous day. On that date the
convention, by an aye and no vote,
unanimously passed the ordinance Of
secession. The question of the author
shin of this historic ordinance is a much
mooted one. Ny personal opinion is
that Chancellor F. II. WardlaW Of
Edgefeld was its author.
GOVERNOR PICKENS IN ATTENDANCE
Att o'clock that evening Governor
Pickens and staff, both branches OF the
legislature and people of Charles
ton, assembled in what was calico
"Institute Hall" on Meeting street, tt
witness the signing and ~ratlhcatlon o.
the ordinance of secession line at1en