The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-07-25
politiral.
iron THE BANNER.]
BIsnoPvILLE 9th July, 1S49.

Editor Banner:
After the conclusion Of the Anniversary
celebration at Piedmont Church near Bsh-
opville on the 4th instant, meeting was
forthwith called, for the purpose Of taking in
to consideration, the subject of Northern in
reference with the institution slavery, and
other matters connected herewith The
meeting which was large and highly respec-
table, was organized by calling Dr.. JOHN L.
DENNIS to the Chair, and appointing VIM
Rogers Secretary. The Chairman then en-
planned more fully the object of the meeting
by stating, that it was called to take into con-
sideration the cause OF the northern people,
touching the institution Of slavery, more es-
pecaly, in regard to the efforts being made
to abolish slavery i'll the District of Columbia
and to prohibit its further extension into the
Territories Of the United States; and also, the
course that has heen pursued south, as re-
CARDS southern rights and interests. A mo-
tion was made and carried, to appoint com
mittee of CO. to draft preamble and resolutions
expressive ofthc sense Of this meeting. Wher-
upon the following gentlemen were appoint
ed the committee, viz, Capt. JAS Rembcr,,
T. M. Muldrow, John o. Duran,, NJ. Dubose,
], w. Stuckey, II. NJ. Engi,s hs chn Z. Muld-
row, Rev. II. r. English, Geo. McCutchcon,
Alfred Scarborough, Esq. l.. l.. Fraser. Wm.
Shaw, Hardy Stuckcy, Adison Stuckey, Jas.
NrWitherspoon, A. Alexander, T. B. Fraser,
IL ,o,l,
Carnes.
The committee thercupon retired to the
Church, and upon their return made the fol-
lowing report,
REPORT,
Your Committee, in approaching this sub
ject, have felt that it was environed with
difficulties ofa very serious nature, which,
had not sense of duty and interest forbid
den, would have stopped them in the very
outset OF their undertaking. These difficult
ties arise, in part, from the very freedom
which we enjoy, and particularly the free
dom Of speech, and of the Press. Under the
broad egis of the Constitution these arc en-
joyed by every man, subject only to those
limitations, which common sense and expert
ence have found to be necessary to the exist
ence ofsociety, and the interest of its meln :
bcrs. No action on our part can effect or di-
minsh this freedom.
Again, your Committee have felt that, to
some extent, complaint and remonstrancc
against rabd abolitionists, and all others who
sympathlse with them for transmitting
through the public mail their pamphlets and
papers to the people of the South, are undig-
ned, as well as useless. Knowing our
rights under the Constitution of the United
States, we should entrench ourselves behind
this rampant, and wait until those rights were
openly assailed, and until this bond of Union
was rent assunder by violence, and trampled
under foot. To complain and demonstrate
will only lend our aid TO effect diversion
from the true merits of the controversy be-
tween the frce and slave states of this Union.
1t is course also which, in all probability,
will now, anil for time to come, as well as in
timas past, be attended with no advantage to
the South.
Your Committee might also mention as
another difficulty which has pressed upon
them in considering this subject, the state of
public opinions and feeling upon the same The
South, in regard TO this matter, may be diyi-
ded into two classes. The first OF these ap-
prehended no danger from any measures
which abolitionists have hitherto employed,
or are now employing, to bring about their
aims. Even the powerful arm of tho Press
welded against US in the dissemination of
abuse-nay of the most insurrectionary and
incendiary publications which they can issue,
they eg1Tha hop as r hese hng
The second, are carried away by rage and
madness against the authors of such nefari-
o,s schemes; and as usual with men under
the excitement Of strong passions, they nei-
ther do, nor are they capable Of wisely plan
ming how to defend their rights. Ofthe first
OF these classes, or those who fear nothing
upon this subject, your Committee would on
" say, that they ovince neither wisdom nor
knowledge OF human nature. Nor can your
Committee discover any Improvement which