January 12, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
MONTGOMERY, January 11. – Alabama sends greeting to South Carolina: The Convention of her people today adopted the Ordinance of Secession from the Federal Union. It reads as follows:
AN ORDINANCE. TO DISSOLVE THE UNION BETWEEN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND THE OTHER STATES UNITED UNDER THE COMPACT STYLED THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
Whereas, the election of ABRAHAM LINCOLN and HANNIBAL HAMLIN to the offices of President and Vice President of the United States of America by a sectional party, avowedly hostile to the domestic institutions, and the peace and security of the people of the State of Alabama, following upon the heels of many and dangerous infractions of the Constitution of the United States by many of the States and people of the Northern section, is a political wrong of so insulting and menacing a character as to justify the people of the State of Alabama in the adoption of prompt and decided measures fort heir future peace and security; therefore, Be it declared and ordained by the people of the State of Alabama in Convention assembled, That the State of Alabama now withdrawn from the Union, known as the United States of America, and henceforth ceases to be one of the said United States, and is, and of right ought to be, a sovereign and independent State. Sec. 2. And be it further declared and ordained by the people of the State of Alabama in Convention assembled, that all powers over the territory of the said State and over the people thereof, heretofore delegated to the Government of the United States of America, be and they are hereby withdrawn from the said Government, and are hereby resumed and vested in the people of the State of Alabama. And as it is the desire and purpose of the people of Alabama to meet the slaveholding States of the South, who approve such purpose, in order to frame a provisional and permanent Government, upon the principles of the Government of the United States; Be it resolved by the people of Alabama in Convention assembled, That the people of the States of Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri, be and are hereby invited to meet the people of the State of Alabama, by their delegates; in Convention, on the fourth day of February next, at Montgomery, State of Alabama, for the purpose of consultation with each other as to the most effectual mode of securing concerted and harmonious action in whatever measures may be deemed most desirable for the common peace and security. And be it further resolved, That the President of this Convention be, and is hereby instructed to transmit forthwith, a copy of the foregoing preamble, ordinance and resolutions, to the Governors of the several States named. The said resolutions done by the State of Alabama, in Convention assembled, at Montgomery, this eleventh day of January, 1861. The ordinance, preamble and resolutions, were adopted by a vote of – ayes 61, nays 39. After the adoption of the Ordinance, the Hall was opened for visitors. A splendid flag, presented by the ladies of Alabama, was conveyed to the Presidentstand and formally presented to the Convention through Hon. W.L. YANCEY, in a handsome and patriotic address. Mr. SMITH, delegate from Tuscaloosa, followed in a feeling reference to the stars and stripes, and invoked a blessing on the new flag. ALPHEUS BAKER, of Eufaula, returned the thanks of the Committee to the ladies in eloquent terms. The Ordinance will be ratified next Monday, when it is believed that many other delegates will sign it. An immense mass meeting is now going on in front of the Capitol. Distinguished cooperation delegates are pledging their constituents as a unit to sustain secession. The flag presented by the ladies is now waving over the Capitol, amidst the ringing of bells, firing of cannon, and intense enthusiasm.
SECOND DESPATCH.
MONTGOMERY, January 11. – 9 p.m. – The city is illuminated from the capital to the rover. Numerous buildings are magnificently lighted. When the Ordinance was passed, at half past two this afternoon, the bells were rung, salutes fired, and the community was all ablaze with enthusiasm. The streets at this hour are full. An immense crowd is assembled in front of Montgomery Hall. Hon. J.L.M. CURRY has just concluded. MATHEWS, of Mississippi, is now speaking. There is a perfect ovation among the people.