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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South Carolina Ordinance Of Secession
AN ORDINANCE
to dissolve the union between the State of South Carolina and other States united with her
under the compact entitled "The Constitution of the United States of America."
We, the people of the State of South Carolina, in convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it
is hereby declared and ordained, That the ordinance adopted by us in convention on the twenty-third day of May, in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States of
America was ratified, and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly of this State ratifying amendments
of the said Constitution, are hereby repealed; and that the union now subsisting between South Carolina and other
States, under the name of the "United States of America," is hereby dissolved.
Done
at Charleston the twentieth day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty.
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