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