Commenting on the unanimous decision to pass the Ordinance of Secession in South Carolina, Brian C. Neumann wrote:
The election of Abraham
Lincoln in November 1860 provided outrage across the South. Lincoln was a
Republican committed to “free soil, free labor, and free men,” and many
southerners viewed his election as an assault on slavery and white supremacy.
In response, on December 20, 1860, a state convention in Charleston voted to
dissolve the Union and declare South Carolina’s independence. Throughout the
city, one witness observed, “loud shouts of joy rent the air.” Church bells
tolled and cannons roared, and men and women flooded the street in celebration.
Bonfires burned through the night, and firecrackers and rockets lit up the sky.
Civic leaders raised the state’s Palmetto flag, and merchants hung bales of
cotton above the streets, inscribed with the words “THE WORLD WANTS IT.” In the
days ahead, thousands rushed to volunteer for their new nation, flush with
optimism and certain of victory. By all accounts, South Carolinians were “almost
unanimous” in their support for independence, and the state convention ratified
the Ordinance of Secession by a vote of 169 to 0. (Brian C. Neumann, Bloody
Flag of Anarchy: Unionism in South Carolina During the Nullification Crisis [Baton
Rouge, La.: Louisiana State University, 2022], 136)
Neumann references The Charleston
Mercury (December 21, 1860). Here is a transcription of the article:
The
20th Day of December, in the Year of Our Lord, 1860
Inscribed among the calends
of the world - memorable in time to come -- the 20th day of December, in the
year of our Lord 1860, has become an epoch in the history of the human race. A
great Confederated Republic, overwrought with arrogant and tyrannous oppressions,
has fallen from its high estate amongst the nations of the earth. Conservative
liberty has been vindicated. Mobocratic license has been stricken down. Order
has conquered, yet liberty has survived. Right has raised his banner aloft, and
bidden defiance to Might. The problem of self-government under the check-
balance of slavery, has secured itself from threatened destruction.
South Carolina has resumed
her entire sovereign powers, and, unshackled, has become one of the nations of
the earth.
On yesterday, the 20th of
December, 1860, just before one o'clock, p.m., the Ordinance of secession was
presented by the Committee on "the Ordinance," to the Convention of
the people of South Carolina. Precisely at seven minutes after one o'clock, the
vote was taken upon the Ordinance -- each man's name being called in order. As
name by name fell upon the ear of the silent assembly, the brief sound was
echoed back, without one solitary exception in that whole grave body -- Aye!
At 1:15 o'clock, p.m. - the
last name was called, the Ordinance of Secession was announced to have been
passed, and the last fetter had fallen from the limbs of a brave, but too long
oppressed people.
The Convention sat with
closed doors. But upon the announcement outside, and upon the MERCURY bulletin
board, that South Carolina was no longer a member of the Federal Union, loud
shouts of joy rent the air. The enthusiasm was unsurpassed. Old men went shouting
down the streets. Cannon were fired, and bright triumph was depicted on every
countenance.
But before the Great Seal of
the State was affixed to the Ordinance of Secession, and the names of the
Delegates to the Convention were signed, it was proposed that this ceremony
should be postponed until 7 o'clock that evening; when the Convention should
reassemble and move in procession from the St. Andrew's Hall, where they then
sat, to the great Secession Hall; and that there, before the assembled citizens
of the State, the Great Seal of the State should be set, and each signature
made. The proposition was favorably received.
At 6 1/2 o'clock p.m., the
Convention reassembled at St. Andrew's Hall. At 6 3/4 o'clock p.m., they formed
in procession and moved forward in silence to Secession Hall.
The building was filled to
overflowing, and they were received by some three thousand people in the Hall.
The Convention was called to
order. The scene was one profoundly grand and impressive. There were a people
assembled through their highest representatives -- men most of them upon whose
heads the snows of sixty winters had been shed -- patriarchs in age -- the
dignitaries of the land -- the High Priests of the Church of Christ -- reverend
statesmen -- and the wise judges of the law. In the midst of deep silence, an
old man, with bowed form, and hair as white as snow, the Rev. Dr. BACHMAN,
advanced forward, with upraised hands, in prayer to Almighty God, for His
blessing and favor in this great act of his people, about to be consummated.
The who assembly at once rose to its feet, and with hats off, listened to the
touching and eloquent appeal to the All Wise Dispenser of events. At the close
of the prayer the President advanced with the consecrated parchment upon which
was inscribed the decision of the State, with the Great Seal attached. Slowly
and solemnly it was read unto the last word -- "dissolved" --
when men could contain themselves no longer, and a shout that shook the very
building, reverberating, long-continued, rose to Heaven, and ceased only with
the loss of breath. In proud, grave silence, the Convention itself waited the
end with beating hearts.
The President then requested
the Delegates (by previous decision) to step forward as they were called in the
alphabetical order of the Districts which they represented, and sign the
Ordinance. Two hours were occupied in this solemn ceremony - the crowd waiting
patiently the end. As the delegation from St. Phillip's and St. Michael's came
forward, again, the hall was filled with applause. And as the Hon. R.B. RHETT
advanced to the parchment, the shouts became deafening, long-continued, until
he had seated himself, signed and retired. It was a proud and worthy tribute,
gracefully paid, and appreciated. The same special compliment was paid to our
Ex-Governor GIST, who recommended in his message to the extra session, the
immediate secession of South Carolina from the Union.
At the close of the
signatures the President, advancing to the front of the platform, announced
that the Seal of the State had been set, the signatures of the Convention put
to the Ordinance, and he thereby proclaimed the State of South Carolina a
separate, independent nationality.
To describe the enthusiasm
with which this announcement was greeted, is beyond the power of the pen. The
high, burning, bursting heart alone can realize it. A mighty voice of great
thoughts and great emotions spoke from the mighty throat of one people as a
unit.
The State of South Carolina
has recorded herself before the universe. In reverence before God, fearless of
man, unawed by power, unterrified by clamor, she has cut the Gordian knot of
colonial dependence upon the North - cast her fortune upon her right, and her
own right arm, and stands ready to uphold alike her independence and her
dignity before the world. Prescribing to none, she will be dictated to by none
willing for peace, she is ready for war. Deprecating blood, she is willing to
shed it. Valuing her liberties, she will maintain them. Neither swerved by
frowns of foes, nor swayed by timorous solicitations of friends, she will
pursue her direct path, and establish for herself and for her posterity, her
rights, her liberties and her institutions. Though friends may fail her in her
need, though the cannon of her enemies may belch destruction among her people,
South Carolina, unawed, unconquerable, will still hold aloft her flag,
"ANIMIS OPIBUSQUE PARATI." ["READY IN SPIRIT AND DEEDS"]
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