Floyd County Resolutions on Secession

 

Whereas, the abolition sentiment of the Northern States first openly manifested in 1820, has for the last forty years, steadily and rapidly increased in volume, and in the intensity of hostility to the form of society, existing in the Southern States, and the rights of these States as equal, independent and sovereign members of the Union; has led to long continued and ever increasing abuse and hatred of the Southern people; to ceaseless war upon their plainest Constitutional rights; to an open and shameless nullification of that provision of  the  constitution intended to secure the rendition of fugitive slaves, and of the laws of Congress to give it effect; … has prompted the armed invasion of Southern soil, by stealth … for the diabolical purpose of inaugurating a ruthless war of the blacks against the whites throughout the  Southern States; has prompted large masses of Northern people openly to sympathize with the treacherous and traitorous invaders of our country, and elevate the leader of a band of midnight assassins, and robbers … to the rank of a hero and a martyr …; has disrupted the churches, and destroyed all national parties, and has now finally organized a party confined to a hostile section, and composed even there of those only who have encouraged, sympathized with, instigated, or perpetuated their long series of insults,outreages and wrongs, for the avowed purpose of making a common government, armed by us with power only for our protection, an instrument, in the hands of enemies of our destruction.

 

Therefore we, a portion of the people of Floyd County … do hereby declare:

 

1st. That Georgia is and of right to be a free, sovereign and independent State.

 

2nd. That she came into the Union with the other States, as a sovereignty and by virtue of that sovereignty, has the right to secede whenever, in her sovereign capacity, she shall judge such a step necessary.

 

3rd. That in our opinion, she ought not to submit to the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln and Hannibal Hamlin, as her President and Vice-President; but should leave them rule over those by whom alone they were elected.

 

4th. That we request the Legislature to announce this opinion … and to co-operate with the Governor in calling a Convention of the people to determine on the mode and measure of redress….

 

6th. That we respectfully suggest to the Legislature to take immediate steps to organize and arm the forces of the State