Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-01-10

vhieh is believed TO be utterly impossiblc-and
t.c jcetriocs promulgated by the President are
20 become the foundations OF . new sysfem &C.
men,-t by the blood of our citizens, u matters
no, ~h.t rr,y be oar lot. Under such Govern
a. cnt - therr eould b. no liberty, so there could
be no security either for our persons property.
But there is ono consolation, of which, in the
providence Of God, no people can be deprived
aithout their osn consent The proud conscious
ross OF having done their duty. II our country
nrusS be eusis,ed. let her not be disbonorrd NV
. or own sons, i>et them not forge the cj!aL,as
fheasc'tes 6s which neir liberties arc 10 be
ma led :"
The Presideni has animated in his Procia.
nation that n "standing army" 10 about TO
lie raised TO carry secession into effect.
Carolina desires that her true position shall
be clearly understood both ~ home and o.
broad. Her object 10 not "di.union"-she
has raised no d" standing army, and. if driven
TO repel invasion or RESIST aggression, she will
do 90 by the strong arms and stout hearts at
her citizens. South Cssolina has soiemnly
proclaimed her purpose that purpose 10 tAe
rinaiicafisn Of her rights. She has professed
. sincese attachment to the Union, snd that
TO the utmost Of her power she will endesvor
TO preserve IL; "but believes that for this
end il il her duty to watch over and oppose
sny infrsction Of those principles which con.
shiute the only basis Of that Union, because
n faithful observance OF them can alone Sc.
cure its II xistepce that she vensrAtes the
Constitution, and will protect aud defend il
sgainst every aggression, either foreign or
domestic; but above all. that she estimates
n beyond ell price her liberty, which she 10
unahersbly determined never to surrender
while she has the power to maintain IL
The President denies in the mos, positive
terms the right Of state, under any circum.
stances, to secede from the Union, and puts
this denial on the ground "that from the time
the states parted with so MANY powers ss to
constitute jointly with the other States o ain.
gle nation. they cannot from tina, period pos
sess any right to secede." Whist then re-
mains OF those "rights Of the states" for
which the President processes 80 high re-
Serence" In what do they consist" And
by What tenure are they held" The uncon.
iroiied will Of the Federal Government
Like any other petty corporation, the states
may exert such povers, and such only Is may
be permitted by their super,ors. when the,
step beyond these limits. even n Federal off.
Ger viii set at naught their DEGREES, repeal
their solemn ordinances, proclaim their citi.
zeus Traitors, and reduce them TO subsection
by military force; and if driven to despera.
zion. they should seek q refuge in secession,
they are TO be told that they have bound them.
selves TO those who have perp<tr.tcd or per.
mitted these enormities, in the iron bonds of
"perpefudi Union %
lf these principles could be established,
then indeed would the DAYS Of our liberty be
numbered, and the Republic will have found
Master. " South Carolins had not slre adj
taken her stand against the usurpstion Of the
Federal Government. here would have been
m occasion when she must have felt herself
impelled by every impulse Of patriotism and
every sentiment of duty. TO stand forth, in
open defiance Of the arbitrary DEGREES Of the
Executive, When . Sovereign State 10 de.
nounced. her authority derided. the allegi
ance Of her citizens denied, and she 10 threat.
ened with military power TO reduce her 70
obedience TO the will of one ofthe functions
Pies OF the Federal Government, by whom s,e
- commanded to "iear from her archives
her most solemn DEGREES surely the time
has come when IL must be seen whether Inc
people Of the several States have indeed lost
the spirit OF the Revolution, and whether they
are to become the iiling instruments Of an
unhailowed despotism. IN Such Q sacred
cause, South Carolina will feel that she is strik
ing not for her own, bu, the Liberties Of the
Union, and the rights of man, and she conf.
IDENTITY trusts that the issue Of this conte q,
will be an example to freemen. and Q lesson
10 rulers throughout the world.
Fellow CI,iZens: In the name and behalf
efthe State Of South CaroIins, I do once more
soiemnly warn you against all attempts 10 &c.
ducs you from your primary allegiance TO
the State. ] charge you to be faithful to your
duty ss citizens Of South Carolina, aud earn.
esiiy exhort you to disregard those g." vain
menaces" Of military force. which, IL the Pres
ldeni. IN violsiinn Of all his constitutional OBJ.
legations, add Ufyour most sacred rights, should
be tempted to employ. il would become your
solemn duty at all hazards 20 resist. [ re.
quiFe you to be fully prepared, TO sustain the
dignity and project the liberties OF the State.
need be, with your Lives and fortunes 81
And may 'hsi grea, and good Being, Who, o.
father careIh for his children, insp;re n,
With that holy zeal IA good cause, ,ghich !,
the best safeyUGrd Of eur rights and HL,yIies
In testimony whereof. have caused the
seal Of the State To be hereunio affixed. and
have signed the same with my hand. Done
% ColumbIs, this 2Oth day Of December. in
the year OF our Lord. 1882, and in the indie.
pendence Of the United States the fifty.
seventh ROBERT y. HAlNE.
by the Governor
SAMUEL lIAHToED, Secretary Of State.