University of South Carolina Libraries
tritino? liftliiftiii .? bin il S???'.?/!? l?iluliv'l lo ?<? lui | 'int ? Into "'. iti ?hoi* ,npi< 'iJilV'T M! ?lui ?.. -,:i:.n.v.r> i<*Ji9 'io ? ;. urlili ioni ' .nimil ? . if'vbio /?(> ?h?)h fili " .iTiy.? . .ii din? $tbtn; lit 09 1 UlllUOJ ;| lo bWono mimai > ?m il P?fl? ?d upott^Kc and sb?ttetti iy thirty g+?at'vb; nW?tf' ?: (Written ?n 1001.) '. At yauc request, I havo'prepnred the following art lelo on tho constitutional convontlon iof I860, bet 1er known as tho "fiocousldn.convention." The paper comprises a part of tho prococdlnge of tho conventAoni and incident*, and rbmlnirnoncua of that eventful portod. ' Tho ?l?m'lpi?'of Mr. Lincoln he pros Idont bT'iitp United' States, procipltat c^iintry a political storm 1 fry .which had tor near, ratt?pj been gathering with ib and .force. Tho cxcltc f south was very great, and ip South CdBlolroa It was intense. In. Navtmiber. 1860. Gov. Gist con vened rtheaigehrnl sssmbly of South I Carolata, ifav wttraordhmry session for] the purpose L?f casting tho vote of the Btato, for? president and vlce-prosidont of tho United States, and further .to Bee ttifct *h?"ethto should not In tho einergbiWy Impending suffer an/dctrU mpnt/ ,a . --, .,???? ' DurfnflHftb 'ttyrly.dhye of tho seces sion amoM'remhrkablo public mooting was 1 Churl eat on. Judge Mm g rath of tho foderai court, the district' attorney the marshal and tho collector of ?u8toirt8,<"roBigncd their offices, rdthei)'?ItlHHcolltlnue tp nerve tho ted eral govbwuneldt. especially under the lticomlhpt'ia?WirtlstratlOn of a purely aectlopal jg^Ycrprnont. The mooting 3os onc?,^H(ho largest ever hold in harl?Bton, ujj,d great excitement was m ali i fea teil. A strong committee was Wpf?i?toir w?th?,J?iaga^KM^?i .as chairman,to -visit Columbia and urge ??to lcgiaJatuf*- to call' i\ constitutional chhvoutlon Tor tho purpose of acceding f rom ihiJMunfOn. The press : of tho siato also ver generally united In urg ing UWicttbMe1. ? . 'On, the piti?., day of November, 1860, the 1 enlatare'.enacted: "That a con vcntloh.pi ibo. pcopio or tho state of South Catalina. 4s hereby ordained to be aHSfcWnSle'd Tri tho city of Columbia; on Monda I860, for ? the ?nio WM a 17th day ?f Decomber, 'iirpoee of taking into he dangers Incident' to the state In the federal ed' by1 th?. constitution tatos 'and .the measures necessary and proper for pr?Viamg. acalu'st tho same, and wher?t?Wrr^^eJ:are that th? c?m ihoriwotiUh'tir^Sou^n Carolina santi ron-er ft? mf?Mnl" ^ S By another, oro vision 1 of tho ??mo act. fte*WB?85B f?r delegate-, to the conveotlon ww^to,lbc held throughout the olnUb on. (the Cth dny of . Decorai--sr. Tho $mm*? WM?i napaualJy -hurt. fapt ?P, .WAa was, w?a.b?, nostri oa?s activo er vi cent, 'V f??.'-Gov, Perry, ?4. . Potti gru, Eaq. Judge O'NenU and a few other public mot 1? the * ' *or? This to he s of todtc newspc Nati they ments, goods. And 1 Pi ces of the Convention opposed to socoBBion. In addition to tho gcnetlcmon named, there wore ( Ite a tun bor of perenne opposed to tilla movement, hut thoy followed tho conservativo courso mapped out by their lcadera. The election passed off remarkably peaceful and quiet, and without undue excltoment. Tho convention assembled In Co lumbia the 17th day of December, in the Baptist church. .The sessions of the convention wore opened by prayer. There wore four ballots for president, tito last one resulting In the election of Gen. D. F. Jamison of Orangeburg. Quito a numbor of gentlemen wore voted for by their friends. Col. Orr of Anderson, received u very handsome' vote. Gen. Jamison made a short address, advocating Immediato Reces sion. B. F. Arthur, Esq.. of Columbia, wan olected secretary. A resolution was adopted unani mously by the- convention, declaring, f?r-secession for the very earliest mo ment. The presence of smallpox In the city, caused tho convention as well as tb? ' legislature to adjourn to meet in Charleston on the following day. . Tho members of the convention us well- as the members of tbe legislature left Columbia for Charleston at 4 o'clock a. m. on the 18th. From a nowspnpor report of tho exodus of the two boales, wo have the following: , "Four o'clock n. m. waa the hour xurj Ssa?lag, and ? can assure you that a scene ensued that baffles description. From 600 to 1000 persons wore fteoing from the smallpox in a panic. Wiso ; legislators, grave members of tho convention, with a crowd of bangere? on, hastened to tho depot of tho South , Carolina railroad. . The first scramble wsa tor the ticket office, and It was no , email affair. Next was a contest tor baggage and checks. This was ? ecene riot of ton seen In the dignified , capital of the stato. Everybody a as j desirous of being Hrrt served, and, as i a consequence, disappointment, some times vented' In bitter curses, ensued, jj Soon.tbe-checks gnvo out, and with it , tho moving or the cars, the platform being piled up with baggage, and each ; owner thereof holding on thereto with 1 the tenacity of"poverty, te' a list ? chango pf 11??*? The:prospect of.fce. , ing left with tho smallpox was Immt- , nent, hence a rush was made, bag- \ gago in Ii and or on the ' shoulders as, \ convenience suggested, to the cars." j , Th-3. ordinance of secession. was { ndqptcd by the convention unanimous. , 1% by a yea and nay vote on Thursday \ >he 20th day of December, i860. All | t?ie members -of - tho .convention, ono | bu,ndred.,nnd.pevcpty tu qiwher. orogont apd voted ?n tho affirmative. | , .Tho convention met In 'Charleston, at 4 o'clock p. m. on the lsih and held < world is a har triving for sue iy\you will no i iper. ira??y* when a ick up a news Sure* they c # ... . .. A jook For Sue ione 321 ita sosaionB in St. Audrcws' hall on Itrond Btreet. The house of represen tatives met In Hihemla hall and the senate found quarters in the court house. . At 7 o'clock p. m. the convention, Qov. Flickens and ctaff, botli branches of the legislature and the people, as sembled in ^Institute hall, on Meeting, Btreet to see the ordinance of seces sion signed and ratified.' The crowd was the largest that ever entered the hall. The president of the convention called the "house to order." The,or dinance bad been enrolled on parch ment and was signed by every mem ber of the convention tho election dis tricts and parishes having boon called, in alphabetical order. When the signing was completed the jresldent of tho convention arose and said: "The ordinance of secession has been signed and" ratified and I proclaim the State of South Carolina r.n Independent sovereignty." . As the signatures wero attached one by one, tho applause was groat, but when the president declared tho act perfect,- thq . wildest . enthusiasm pre vailed, thundcrr of oplause, clapping of hands, shots, w' : cling of hate and other demonstr?l'- as of olatiqn and joy..took, place. ( ut sido qt the hall, thorc was mus' and thousands - of people w.oro ur- le to .gain admit tance. Ilon fi re !,ad been kindled in lie streets, fir orks popned. and bjaitfd'1 ?on ai' ides, snd happinea? rested dn' the Ountenanco of .all, . Tho 20th. of Decer or, I860, was long to be rememibered It was regarded as th? Bocond Independence of the state, end was balled ?).tho harbinger .of peace, safety, pre :ierlty and happiness. At a late h or. the crowd, retired, havln'g' realized ?ppnrently their only c?r?kly hope. .. The convention authorized the presi dent to ap'polht Mcssriv John A/Cal horn. W, p. Finley, 3f? D. Wilson. W. F? bo???s?Mt.ro.' Langdon Che ves and Mj . Cam, "to prepare an address to the- 1 southern states." . A committee consisting of Messrs', lohn A. Inglls, R. B. Rhett, Jamen Chestnut, Jr., Jamos L. Orr, Maxcoy riregg, B. F. Dunkln and W. F. Hut ion was appointed to drart all ordi. nan cob be voted on by the conven? Lion. ?' Another number of important com" mlttecs were ! announced from 'day- to lay. ?? ? -:i In Charleston politics, or secession, aas the shibboleth. The excitement preceding the election of delegates vas unheard of.. The signs were mandant. Across the streets, at prominent points on public and pri vate buildings, thera wero flags, : ran sparen ces,' palmetto trees, the leaf, mottoes, etc., characteristic of the con-; ;cst on a resjaarant was a lifo size painting ?t Mr. H.. Bawiwoll Rhett, which wos illuminated each.night. On th?-.front of .the theatre there .was a painting, representing Charleston af :et secession, thirty by twenty feoV laVideomely executed. : DIspntchea wero received by the convention from distinguished citizens d road to tra cess. The sue te* is a constar fartf?ly move paper and loo an teli at a gi? ?DVERTISE 'cess-^We S?i W? INtE ..;">- -iji ?/ of the southern 'states advising that jprompt action ?uyf' Impea-a.tlvcy and I that their Btatos would ultimately fol-' low our exam pio. Ou the 21st of December U wag an-, nounced through a dlapateti from Gov. Pettus that Mississippi hod vptcd. tor secession, four ta one. This wai> the second state to secede-. ?. >?iv > : ? On tho 24t!i of the caino.month, Oov. Perry of Florida was ii, Charleston. He was native of.Charleston and an nounced that his BtatCt was. for., re sistance. He was Invited to. a scat on the floor of the.convention, s .. . The 27th was a day of-great excite mont. Msj. Andersen evacuated rFpft Moultrle an doccuplcd Vprt ..Sumtcr. Gov. Plckens called out. the military and occupied all the forts-arpund the city. No- Id end <Jrs.& ' .8h6?r>hht was was regarded as almost cor tain. The convention ~:ia in session, on the Sabbath day.s.'. .-t.',,' , ,1'?.,?. .Much discussion 'took, "place In,, t!10 coaveatlon in secret and ?p?'n cps'sicp. December ?ilst was the Jast day of a most eventful ye|$ ?|jV?W/fY .. .The. convention authorised the gov ernor -to. call into active eorvlce two regiments of soldlersvto, garrison ,thq forts in Ute hptwEtf f? I1 r-'^ > f The convention'adopted a schema for tho formation Of a. southern -Con-, fedoracy.- , .' ?y{ j O?/ ?iaturd?y. the, 7th day of Jan' ?ary, ,1861, the couvontton took rc cpus, to be called'together- by - the pr?sidant. ??? The constitutional, convention j of Fl?rida ?n the 7th day Of > tho same month, adopted a resolution by a. vote.' of .62 to 5. to seced.0, frotu the, ,u?ion? In p. few days Alabama and Mlsslsslp; pi seceded. . ? g * :* On tlt? Dth day of January,*tbo "I .ar qf the West" endeavored to enter th(> harbor of Charleston iq succor Fort Symter, but was driven off by a-fow shots fired by .Majt Stevens. . . / ' - 'The convention reataembled In Co. lumbla, March 20th. . -The constitu tion of th? Confederate States was ratified by a vo Kot 146 to.lG. And soon after the convention agreed to another recess, to be called together by the president. If necessary.. : ? The battle of Fort -6uniter occurred) April 32th. Mr. John Maxwell, a dol orato to the convention from Iflckene I was In Fort MchlltH6 during tho "light giving his services tot lila state. . 1 ?. Chancellor R'^.-WardlaW, a rnem--| ber of tbe convorttlori, died Jn Colum bia on th? 29th da/ of BUy? ' ' ! Th? personnel of;the convention was; remarkable. Seha'tora And represen tatives in congress, chancellors, judg es and many other 'persons dhttin go lshco in all the! avocations of lifo, wore : /-.embers of this body. " Two brothera. Jddge-Ti: li'?WatWewi of Abbe vi 1 le a d Chan eel! or i F. V*: H.. Wardlaw of Edgefleld were members of the convention.' . Tho delegates ?? the secession con. vonllbo numbered' one kunV?fed .'? -and i seventy.:-' - -*?? >.?> .-:..>ui?ii ?io- <./m CbBn?ellor D. F. Dunkln, ?whose home waa In Charleston and who Was also a native of Massachusetts, reprc ... , - - _ ? : - .?... vei. Everyone icessfu) biisine* it advertiser h is to ? str?ng k over the adi ??ce who h?s t ??cit Your Pai 1 A: , .. ') -!-7~~--"T"-:?:? . y j sentcd. Georgetown in the convention. Two o i the oldest niombera -appar ently of the convention were Messrs; McKee of Chester and Grcon of. Suin ter. .Their, hes^ds wore whito with the froste of many- w'jnicrs. , . - ?. . , :? "? Chancellor IngMs presented the or dinance of ?c?esBlomto the convention and has always been^credited with bo ing the. author of that Important doc ument. . ...,?-> ?-.' Thp convention was in session ChrhAtmea day. ?. . Hon. Edmund Friffln of Virginia, an aged . gentleman, attracted much. at tention in Charleston when - the. dr dinance of secession was pestied and ratified by alrhoat constantly carrying on bis shoulder from'.place to place, .a' lnrgo piece of pat motto, Hie pres ence never failed to evoke cheers and applause. .......? , . ..????, ~' *., The convention, wao ih sorsion De cember 30th?th? blessed. Sabbath! . .. Col. R. C. Logan-, of Wllllamsburg I was the youngest man In' 'th? con vent on.. Robert . Thompson. V Walhalla, 8. C, May 9, 1901. Is j Conducted the C?nimissWj ? -?Atlanta, ? July?Sl?-Tho '.prison - com-4 muioe- hi tue .soliate in Us" riporti-t? that body.; paya high , compii the, state prison .commiasfoii R. . DaVlsol; ;?i?feKSBff? L. rtainoy, for the cx< the past yeah 7Tho ^Mr^SSuft bpforo the senate -.yeeh?a%??u,, noon, Xt states;*? -?djprai&vl nearly every eouuty are^ebo"** camps well managed.. The,^, refers to the! r?iss- ?onnulaied^oy.- u comtnlBBlon as. "admlrnblo " (' The! were several-jlsot?e^C.ji??ijjt?a^ abuses of convicts brought" ol nothing so senBAMbnt?ias jt tlons of a few y?ar^gVwhel vicf lease, syt?^m-was' tfnd?f tfrb" The condition of ' c?untry rp hero the coli vicia had Worked is' olared spi Whore the id and It is cl??me*: " have been 'ibjpf farm lands have enhanced in 'valu? [ from 26 ttr iOO per font.-. ?;' '! \Wm ATLANTA H0M?-S ' . - :.,???. S. I.> > .. . Ar? Mpre ^ ??f Hu? ^.a>^ Atlanta, G a., J t?ly .?Sol ! wealthy- New rofker ?n a v?h Inn ta, surpriadd homo Tulka ' b; ciar ins that Atlanta oirtrabke a?y in: (he country an a city'of-be'sotlfu: homes. .? ri#+f - VThia ls true of many'points in lant a.", declared, Mr. JJ1 oom, "but seems ss man t a live ie city, tertise ke be?t .if toh?g ?j l? ? Has recently Orte ! liti Mfi(*t??T</ ?Tr/i/ir r*it/^?r4 Hhv.:?W * 0*,?^ ^>. le??iararaflT decides to roll th? broient Telephone Whvs fWrlnr. . decides to roll th? pr?sent structure surrounded.-? by houses. '- ^v-V?, <A\?j ! , *"g' ' ' -' **g - *i '-vv-t-- - ;DL>?f%?flAW Op 41>Ft?SS0N. V ;j/?y^M - rc?,t'- >.,,.?. :?,??.- ???> --is' r.: ;? *eWlpV AMdcrjiop M ?n'i*V'?Sf*" toi ?W???tk Jhly alASover?i fM??jM J^gi*? Ander, ?he;Kl?bdlf 35onse llt?y^terday & usted In.tho'^lVoct line/but i?r An*| ... -son descends from one b^ Jeffer son;* dsughte?s, C?nTersattonB int Time. ^A?.|o.?&^^ "Pnsntofe DlrCUif *a lfl?tbo latent Irton ln' ?ni.nl,nni.: ) Southern Boll Telephone company, ^'^?^ ^^ ^^ chkjf^eo?lnv> it