Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-11-09
THE SOUTHERN CoNFEDERAcY.

the state of things in the South, and particularly on
the project of Southern Confederacy. Il is the
production of WILLIAM J. GRAYsoN, Esq, former
ly Representative in Congress from the Beaufort
and Colleton District of South Carolina. All who
had the pleasure of serving with Mr.. GRAYsoN must
have favorable and respectful remembrance of
him as a gentleman, not indeed prominent as a
floor member, but as man well known to possess
an unusually sound refecting mind, and of un-
bemished purity of private life. He signs his name
to the Letter, as well he may do, without fear or
shame, for even his most infamed opponents must
admit that is such production as, whatever side
it advocates, is highly credable to the author. 1t
is book with those two things, soft words and
hard arguments. 1t is written in spirit offensive
to no man, while it makes the most forcible and
straightforward appeals to known facts and COM
mon sense.
We have read this letter with great pleasure, no
alone from its ability, but because it is, far as
we have heard, the only voice which has been pub
cly raised in South Carolina against the deplorable
infatuation which has come over the leading citizens
Of that State to such an extent as to require some
Ill
opposition to it.
We have not space for the Letter, or for any ex-
tended review it.; and must content ourselves
with presenting to our readers the leading points it
discusses, which are briefly recapitulated in one
of its closing pages:
This then is the substance of the foregoing re-
marks:
"That the Union is the source of Peace, Prospe-
rity, and Power to the Nation, and its dissolution
would be followed by disorder, violence and civil
wars.
" That if the present Confederacy is broken up,
the formation of any other would be difficult, and
its continuance impossible.
:" That no causes exist to justify the dissolution
Of the Union.
"That the measures lately adopted by Congress
are not infrngements on our constitutional rights
and if they were, are of common concern to the
whole South.
"That the wrong of which we complain comes
from the people of certain States, not from the Con-
gress of the United States; and the appropriate
remedy would be cessation of social intercourse
That the mere apprehension of aggressions in
The future will not justify the resort to extreme
measures at present.
THAT the South will lose nothing by waiting;
she is rapidly advancing in wealth, population, and
power; and nothing can arrest her progress but the
imprudence Of her own people, and the rashness
Of her leaders,
On each ofthese several heads Mr.. GRAYsoN dwells
with free yet temperate earnesness, which, while
it carries with it at the conviction that he is
sincere can scarcely fall one would think, to ar
rest the rash haste and calm the headlong fury of
men who would precipitate their country into the
returnless plunge Of revolution anarchy and civil
war.
We can give but one extract from the body Of the
Letter. tits that in which the author, after having
eloquently summed up the benefits of the Union,
examines the project OF a Southern Confederacy:
But it is said form great Southern Coniederacy
and become more than before prosperous and powerful
Who tell whether it separated from the North this
formation Of Southern Conederacy would be practicable
Where would it Begin What States would it include
Certainly Virginia, Kentucky, or North Carolina or
Tennessee, Louisiana. But suppose them all willing to
take counsel for the purpose, any be assured that
they would uniten general Southern Government? Will
there be no differences of opinion antagonist interests
We all know the difficulty with which the present Conede-
racy formed the obstacles that delayed and almost defeat
ed its adoption by the States after had been laboriousIy
the same difficulties beset the union proposed Why there
is hardly State in which there not opposing interests
within its limits Upcouny and lowcountry property
and population, have each their sanch and sometimes bitter
advocates. We all remember the hot and uncompomsne
disputes between West and East the last Virginia Con-
venton and DO believe that in Convention of the South
ern States, suppospg such exist there will be no.
thing but the milk and honey of mutual and for
bearance no hostile feelings conflicting interests no i'm
practicable, obstinate unyieldng minds He that believes
this knows nothing Of men public bodies For nv part
hrmy believe that the present Conedeacy the first and
last which the country will see. If tha, be DESTROYED
there forthwith forever end couederacy in North
America This is my solemn conviction and forewarn our
citizens OF this TRUTH No future Coufederacy can he
tilted like the present by the memories of the past By
cations with the great and great events Of the grand
epoch Of American history by the wisdom and virtues Of the
Father of his Country If this Union canno, stand there s
bope for the continuance Of any other The spirit Of i'm
patience confederate rule which our example will sanction
and establish will prevail forever The smallest real or sup-
posed injury Inconvenience inflicted on any one member Of
any future supposed Union Of States will be enough to induce
that member to abandon ito secede break up without
scruple They would become mere temporary
partnerships the great English Statesman describes IT,
like partnerships for the sale Of dry goods groceries, 10 be
dissolved with as little reflection or difficulty"
The pamphlet closes with frank concession to
those who differ from him of the utmost purity OF
motive, and graceful expression OF personal es.
TEEN, which long and intimate acquaintance has
continually increased - for the Governor ,bono b