Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-05-31
LETTER FROM HON. A. BURT.

GENTLEMEN have received the communication you did
the honor address to in the Abbeve Banner, and
seize the earliest moment comply with your request that
should reply through that paper.
You not mistaken in supposing that mighty crisis
mpends the Southern States The position Of
beloved State is emneny critical South Carolina has
had greater need Of the wisdom, and valor and affection Of
her than at the present moment Most sincerely do
hope that every within her borders feels keeny
yourselves the deepest socude for her honor and her well
fare. For one, sensible Of obligations to her which my
poor services repay and intend to do my duty,
and my whole duty, to her in the present juncture.
You inform me that your sociude for the State induces
you TO inquire N me, your Representative in Congress,
what part assigned her 10 the great which
awaits the Southern States had supposed the position of
South Carolina already defined and determined both by the
Legislature and the People. had supposed the argument
exhausted and the debate forever closed Convention
ordered by the Legislature at its last session. and large and
extraordinary raised and appropriated for military
and military defence. Delegates the Convention
have been chosen by the people, large majority Of whom
understood to be in favor Of the secession OF the State regard
less Of the course of other Southern States and indeed
gardess Of eli circumstances have the honor of being
member Of that Convention The expediency Of secession
question which cannot within the scope Of those du
ties which you have conded to member of Congress
As member Of Congress- be called upon on
that question II exclusively belonging 10 the Conven
ton. But il also true that the propety of secession, with
regard the of the other Southern States
discussed pending the election for Congress and the Lega
ature which took place in October last In the public dis
cussion which beard and in which took part heard but
very few express opinions in favor Of the secession Of South
Caroline alone, without regard to the action Of the other
States think the subject not discussed before the peo-
Pc and that their Judgment neither expressed formed
upon il. So also In relation the calling Of Convention
by the Legislature Until after the session began heard
nothing Of it. and think nothing heard of by the peo
pe should have been most happy TO have had the oppor
uny of offering my opinions of these measures before tie
udg Of the State was made up, when they might have
entered into its deliberations for the little they may be worth
Congress Of the Southern States thought was then looked
TO- and nothing else looked to- until its results should be
known.
cannot now. but regard the action Of the Legisla.
ure and Of the people Of South Carolina as indicating de-
termination TO secede from the Union, whatever other States
may think proper to do. Should consequently, have deem
ed my duty to be silent until the period for the meeting Of
the Convention approached could then have been better
able determine what would be expedent do The
of the summer and sutumn will as think throw much light
the great issue before should gladly have awaited
those events before the final judgment Of the State made
up Under toese circumstances cannot hope that my opin-
can be OF any avail in assigning any "par South
Carolina But Il is enough that you wish TO know my opin-
ions upon measure Of public policy. though be
foegone conclusion. have selfish motive to withhold
such opinions, 40 have nothing lose by expressing them
have never sought Office have never seen the dsy when
would nave ned an oce under the Federal Government
could not do 90, at this time, without feeling Of personal
degradation come, then, the confessional without fear
and without reserve
The inquiries proposed by you suggest propositions
The first IS whether be the only alternative now
left to the Southern States The second . whether in the
event Of The other savehoding States remaining the Unon
it will become the duty Of South Carolina forthwith secede
the sscerianment Of that fact The only full and fitting
reply to inquiries Of such grave import be found n
consideration OF the objects contemplated by secession and Of
its efficacy in accomplishing Objects Theesdng
object to be attained BY secession viii be admitted to be the pre-
servson OF the institution Of African slavery, unmpared and
unmOesd Il comprehends the quiet undsurbed enjoy