Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field Book of the Civil War. Volume 1.

“ [47] representing the sovereignty of the State, and amenable to no earthly tribunal, it shall, during the remainder of my administration, be carried out to the letter, regardless of any hazard that may surround its execution.” He recommended the immediate arming, “with the most efficient weapons of modern warfare,” every white man in the State between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and placing the whole military force of the Commonwealth “in a position to be used at the shortest notice, and with the greatest efficiency.” He also recommended the immediate acceptance of ten thousand volunteers, to be officered and drilled, and held in readiness to be called upon at the shortest notice.

These recommendations to prepare for revolt were made on the day before the election of Mr. Lincoln. They met with a hearty response. On that evening, prominent South Carolinians, who were in attendance, were serenaded and made speeches. One of these was James Chesnut, Jr., a member of the United States Senate. He told the crowd of listeners that he had no doubt of the election of Mr. Lincoln on the morrow, and that then they had arrived “at the initial point of a new departure. We have two ways before us,” he said, “in one of which, whether we will or not, we must tread. . . . In both lie dangers, difficulties, and troubles, which no human foresight can foreshadow or perceive; but they are not equal in magnitude. One is beset with humiliation, dishonor, émeutes, rebellions — with submission, in the beginning, to all, and at all times, and confiscation and slavery in the end.--The other, it is true, has its difficulties and trials, but no disgrace. Hope, duty, and honor shine along the path.” “The Black Republicans,” he said, “claim the dogmas of the Declaration of Independence as part of the Constitution, and that it is their right and duty to so administer the Government as to give full effect to them. The people now must choose whether they will be governed by enemies or govern themselves. For myself, I would unfurl the Palmetto flag, fling it to the breeze, and, with the spirit of a brave man, determine to live and die as becomes our glorious ancestry, and ring the clarion notes of defiance in the ears of an insolent foe.” He spoke of the undoubted right of South Carolina to withdraw from the Union, and recommended its immediate action in that direction, saying, “the other Southern States will flock to our standard.” His speech was received with vehement applause, and met with greetings of satisfaction throughout the State.

In a similar manner, W. W. Boyce, who had been a member of Congress since 1853, responded to a serenade on the following evening,

November 6, 1860.

from the balcony of the Congaree House. “In my opinion,” he said, “the South ought not to submit. If you intend to resist, the way to resist in earnest is to act; the way to enact revolution is to stare it in the face. I think the only policy for us is to arm as soon as we receive authentic intelligence of the election of Lincoln. It is for South Carolina, in the quickest manner, and by the most direct means, to withdraw from the Union. Then we will not submit, whether the other Southern States will act with us or with our enemies. . . . When an ancient philosopher wished to inaugurate a revolution, his motto was: To dare! To dare!” From that moment, he was zealously engaged in efforts to destroy his Government.