This party, now soon to take possession of the powers of the Government, is sectional, irresponsible to us, and driven on by an infuriated fanatical madness that defies all opposition, must inevitably destroy every vestige of right growing out of property in slaves.
Gentlemen, the State of Florida is now a member of the Union under the power of the Government, soon to go into the hands of this party.
As we stand our doom is decreed.
Under a just sense of impending danger, and realizing an imperative necessity thus forced upon them to take measures for their safety, the People of Florida have clothed you with supreme power and sent you here with the high and solemn duty to devise the best possible means to ensure their safety, and have given you in charge to see that their commonwealth suffers no detriment.
Your presence at this Capitol is the highest proof that your people fear to remain under their Government. With poignant regret no doubt they leave it; but they have no ground of hope of safety in it. What are we to do in fulfilment of our duty in this great crisis? I will not presume to indicate your course—your superior and collected wisdom must decide.
I cannot doubt though that our people are safe in your hands, and that you will in a manner becoming the dignity of the high position you hold, and worthy of the trust confided to you, promptly place them in a position of safety above the power and beyond the reach of their enemies.
As one of you, representing a noble and confiding constituency, I pledge to you and to them the entire devotion of the powers of my mind in the discharge of this duty; and with my full heart I ask you, each of you, to forget all former differences of opinion, all past party prejudices, and make, now, here on the altar of your State, your country, for the sake of your people, a sacrifice, an offering of all feeling, prepossession or prejudice, that may stand in the way of perfect concord and harmony; and may the God of nations watch over us and bless our labors and guide us into the haven of safety.
On motion, the Convention proceeded to the election of a Secretary and two Assistant Secretaries.
Mr. Mays nominated William S. Harris for Secretary.
Mr. Newmans nominated A. T. Banks.
Mr. Parkhill nominated Thos. B. Barefoot.
The vote was as follows:
For William S. Harris—Mr. President, Messrs. Allison, Baker of Calhoun, Beard, Chandler, Cooper, Daniel, Dawkins, Devall, Finegan, Gary, Gettis, Helvenston, Irwin, Lamar, Leigh of Sumter, McGahagin, McIntosh, Mays, Owens, Pelot, Pinck-
