“
[
49]
States, administered the laws of the
United States within the limits of
South Carolina.
So far as I am concerned, the
Temple of Justice, raised under the
Constitution of the United States, is now closed.”
He then laid aside his gown, and retired.
The Collector of Customs at Charleston, C. J. Colcock, and James Conner, the United States District Attorney, resigned at the same time; and B. C. Pressley, the National Sub-treasurer, also announced his determination to resign, as soon as he could with due respect to President make a formal declaration of the withdrawal of the State from the Union had not yet been authorized, the conspirators and their political instruments throughout South Carolina now acted as if disunion had been actually
accomplished.
On the morning of the 7th,
when the telegraph had flashed intelligence of
Lincoln's election over the length and breadth of the land, and bore tidings of great joy elsewhere because of the auspicious event, the enthusiasm of the rebellious people in
Charleston was unbounded and irrepressible.
The conspirators and their friends greeted each other with signs of the greatest exultation.
They grasped each other's hands, and some of them cordially embraced, in the ecstasy of their pleasure.
The
Palmetto flag was everywhere unfurled; and from the crowded streets went up cheer after cheer for a Southern Confederacy.
All day the enthusiasm was kept up by speeches, harangues, and the booming of cannon; and, at evening, the city was illuminated by bonfires.
The wished — for pretext for insurrection was at hand, and the master spirits of treason were everywhere jubilant.
Their work, begun so hopefully in the
Convention at
Charleston, in April, was now wellnigh finished in November.
The germ of revolution then planted had expanded, and budded, and blossomed, and now promised abundant fruit.
There was intense excitement at Columbia, on the morning after the election.
Governor Gist was the recipient of many messages by telegraph:--“The Governor and Council are in session,” said one from Raleigh, North Carolina. “The people are very much excited.
North Carolina is ready to secede.” --“Large numbers of Bell men,” said another, from Montgomery, Alabama, “headed by T. H. Watts,1 have declared for secession, since the announcement of Lincoln's election.
The State will undoubtedly secede.”--“The hour for action has come,” said a message from Milledgeville, Georgia.
