The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-12
Correspondence of the Southern Press.
COLUMBIA, s. c.. Dec. 9th. ls5,

out of the present state of our Federal relations
For the last week have been deeply interested
spectator of their proceedings, and desire to give
an idea Of the feeling that prevails not only
that body, but the entire State, at the present
time.
As one striking indication of the universally
of the sentiment, and to prove that the excite
ment is not confined to the politicians, as has
been falsely stated, it may not be amiss to state
the fact that since the opening Of the session to
the present moment, this city has been thronged
almost to suffocation by crowd of persons from
every nook and corner Of the State, comprising
many of the most quiet, respectable and inhuen-
tial citizens Of the State, who hitherto have
taken no interest, and no part in politics.
Ample as are the accommodations provided
at this seat Of Government for the accommoda-
ton of visitors, they have proved certainly in
adequate this session, and private hospitality has
been taxed most extensively to store away, or
give perching place to the swarm of visitors,
who cause the main street at midday to present
the appearance of Pennsylvania Avenue during
the session Of Congress. Nor has this crowd
been congregated for the mere indulgence of an
idle curiosity. They strong deep current of a
sentiment "strong, without rage,-without over.
flowing, full" seems to have swept all into this
common channel where the exposition and utter
ancc of that sentiment was to be made, and
even the usual festivities of this period seem
to have been suspended, under the pressure of
grave and serious thoughts, and predominating
interest.
Hitherto the sessions of this body have been
accompanied by series of gaieties, which made
the seat Of Government for few weeks, pre-
sent the features Of a carnival, but now the So
lemnity Of settled purpose, of higher and more
earnest ends, give to this throng al aspect TO-
tally different, and far more imposing-as
though all were witnessing the opening of
drama, more grand and pertentous than any yet
performed in the wide stage of history
But one spirit animates all-old men and
young-matron and maid-the merchant at his
desk-the planter at his plough-the minister at
the altar-the legislator in the performance Of
his political functions, and the rapt auditory who
drink in the indignant utterances of their repre-
sentatves, denouncing the wrongs, and indica-
ting the stern remedy-Secession-bu one
sprit--and that condensed in one short word,
RESISTANCE. The Capitol here, as in Washing
ton, is the great centre Of interest, whittier the
human flood tide daily pours-and the impress
| Il b.,lI. =;
HANGED by the solemn badges Of mourning,
which canopy the chairs of the presiding officers
and darken the walls with their gloomy drapery.
Both Halls are shrowded in this sombre suit Of
| black in commcmoraton of the losses the State
has so recently sustained in the death Of her
two senators and under the reflected shadow
of those losses, and others antic pated from a
different source, sit the chosen counselors Of
South Carolina, ready also, to devote life, and
interests dearer still, to the same cause in which
the champions, whom they mourn, fought while
the breath of life fingered in their exhausted
frames. Words are inadequate to express the
deep and abiding conviction-the earnest enthll-
siasm and the stern determination to uphold the
cause Of Southern equality against all odds,
which nov animates this entire people-they
are on this question almost an unt--thc ex-
ceptions being only as grains Of sand in a noun
tain--and the inpatient ideas of the masses,
can scarcely brook the delay which proper re-
gard for State policy, and for preparation, com
pels the leaders to adopt. The few voices
raised in favor Of the compromise, by public
men, once influential against separate
of those crying in the wilderness, awaken no
echoes, create no sensation-and excite only a
melancholy surprise, instead Of Indignation.
They pass by the public ear as the idle wind
which they regard not,
The public mind is made up-and were this
legislature to recommend immediate separate
State action, it is the opinion Of those best in
formed on the subject, that not IL corporal $
guard could be mustered in the State in opposi-
ton to such 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, rs many
might deem it.
To visitor the absence of high excitement,
as manifested by violent language, or violent
propositions, is the most remarkable feature
of this state of feelings. That stage has long
| been passed and the sentiments and the passion
have settled down into the still calm Of u fixed
and determined purpose. There is no gascon-
AIDE, no bravado, no denunciation resorted to,
either in or out Of the Legislature. The qucs-
ton as to the wrongs, and the remedy both
are admitted to be settled--therc is no differ
encc of opinion as to them-tbey are universally
conceded-the only discussion and deliberation
are DIRECTED towards the best mode of perfect
ING the purpose which all aim ut. There is also
(when all things are considered) wonderfully
little diversity as to the plan of operations, En-
closed you will find the various propositions in
troduced into both Ilouscs-all of which con-
template and provide for CO. cooperation with sis
ter States on the platform Of the Nashville Con
venton in the first vace--or in the failure of
| this then the resort 10 SCUarutO State action in